*By Steven Friedman One day, if they follow instructions, Africa’s new democracies will grow up to be “real” like those of Western Europe and North America. This assumption makes little sense – but it influences the way many people in the West and in Africa think about African democracies.

The claim that democracy fares better in the West than in Africa is a fallacy

France's finance minister said that a European-backed system to facilitate non-dollar trade with Iran and circumvent US sanctions should be established in the coming days.

Will be creating independent European financial institution to trade with Iran: France

Now 'Red Scarves' march in Paris, condemn violence by 'Yellow Vests'

Thousands of "yellow vest" protesters returned to the streets of France Saturday to protest against President Emmanuel Macron's policies, clashing with police in several cities in a challenge to his bid to quell the movement.

'Yellow vests' back on France's streets to challenge Macron

Spain, France and Germany on Saturday gave embattled Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro an ultimatum, saying they would recognise opposition leader Juan Guaido as president unless he calls elections within eight days.

European leaders issue ultimatum to embattled Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro

Iran has accused France of being a destabilising force in the region after its foreign minister threatened new sanctions against Tehran over its missile programme.

Iran accuses France of 'destabilising' region after French foreign minister threatens sanctions

A variety of potentially toxic substances, including glyphosate, has been found in babies' nappies in France, according to a study published on Wednesday by the French environment agency ANSES.

Toxic substances found in nappies in France: Government agency

France's foreign ministry on Monday summoned Italy's ambassador after Deputy Prime Minister Luigi Di Maio accused Paris of creating poverty in Africa and fueling mass migration to Europe.

France summons envoy after deputy Italian PM says Paris creating poverty in Africa

It rarely sees the light of day but the upscale bra is the most tested, sweated over and highly engineered piece of clothing of all. AFP went behind the scenes at some of the most famous French lingerie houses to draw back the veil on the almost exclusively feminine world of bra making.

The inside story of the bra

India is likely to surpass the United Kingdom in the world's largest economy rankings in 2019, according to a report by global consultancy firm PwC. As per the report, while the UK and France have regularly switched places owing to similar levels of development and roughly equal populations, India's climb up the rankings is likely to be permanent.

World's largest economies: India likely to surpass UK this year, says PwC

Breaking News: Yellow vest protesters back on the streets of France

Noting the recent attack by the Islamic State (ISIS) in northern Syria that claimed 16 lives, French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday said that Paris would continue to remain "militarily engaged" in the Middle East region throughout the entire year.

France to remain 'militarily engaged' in Middle East: President Emmanuel Macron

France is speeding up preparations for a "no deal" Brexit after the British parliament overwhelmingly rejected the agreement on the table, a French presidential source said Wednesday.

France to accelerate preparations for no-deal Brexit: Presidential source

French President Emmanuel Macron attempted Tuesday to rebound from two months of often violent anti-government protests by launching a nationwide debate over the grievances fuelling the "yellow vest" movement.

After 2 months of protests, Macron kicks off 'great debate' to win back the French

Watch: WION Gravitas, 15th January, 2019

Gravitas: Emmanuel Macron launches 'national debate' after protests

Watch: WION Fineprint, 15th January, 2019

UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi was due to visit last week but Myanmar authorities scrapped the trip to Rakhine.

Myanmar delays United Nation refugee chief Filippo Grandi's visit

US begins process of pulling out from Syria

The number of protesters in the latest "yellow vest" rallies across France surged on Saturday, but there was a marked decline in violence despite hundreds of arrests and clashes with police in Paris and other cities.

Number of 'yellow vest' protesters surge to 84,000 but violence down

Yellow Vest protests: 80,000 policemen deployed across France

'Yellow vests' march in Paris in ninth round of protests; police brace for higher turnout

A massive explosion probably caused by a gas leak gutted a ground floor of a building in central Paris's shopping district on Saturday, seriously injuring at least nine people, French police said.

Nine injured after massive explosion in central Paris

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning, January 11th 2019

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