World Leaders Welcome Macron's French Election Win

French President and La Republique en Marche (LREM) party candidate for re-election Emmanuel Macron (R) holds his fist in the air as he holds Brigitte Macron’s hand after his victory in France’s presidential election, at the Champ de Mars in Paris, on April 24, 2022. AFP
French President and La Republique en Marche (LREM) party candidate for re-election Emmanuel Macron (R) holds his fist in the air as he holds Brigitte Macron’s hand after his victory in France’s presidential election, at the Champ de Mars in Paris, on April 24, 2022. AFP
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World Leaders Welcome Macron's French Election Win

French President and La Republique en Marche (LREM) party candidate for re-election Emmanuel Macron (R) holds his fist in the air as he holds Brigitte Macron’s hand after his victory in France’s presidential election, at the Champ de Mars in Paris, on April 24, 2022. AFP
French President and La Republique en Marche (LREM) party candidate for re-election Emmanuel Macron (R) holds his fist in the air as he holds Brigitte Macron’s hand after his victory in France’s presidential election, at the Champ de Mars in Paris, on April 24, 2022. AFP

World leaders rushed to congratulate France's centrist President Emmanuel Macron on his re-election and defeat of far-right leader Marine Le Pen in elections Sunday.

Here are some of the main reactions according to AFP:

- European Union -"I am delighted to be able to continue our excellent cooperation," tweeted European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

"We can count on France for five more years," European Council President Charles Michel wrote on Twitter.

- United States -"France is our oldest ally and a key partner in addressing global challenges," US President Joe Biden tweeted. "I look forward to our continued close cooperation -- including on supporting Ukraine, defending democracy, and countering climate change."

Secretary of State Antony Blinken also congratulated Macron.

"We look forward to continuing close cooperation with France on global challenges, underpinning our long and enduring Alliance and friendship," he wrote.

- Germany -Chancellor Olaf Scholz said French voters "have sent a strong vote of confidence in Europe today. I am happy that we will continue our good cooperation".

- Britain -Prime Minister Boris Johnson called France "one of our closest and most important allies" and said he looked forward "to continuing to work together on the issues which matter most to our two countries and to the world".

- Ukraine -President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has spoken with Macron several times since Russia's invasion on February 24, called Macron a "true friend of Ukraine".

"I wish him further success for the sake of the (French) people. I appreciate his support and I am convinced that we are moving together towards new common victories," he wrote in both Ukrainian and French.

- Russia -Russian President Vladimir Putin wrote in a telegram: "I sincerely wish you success in your state activities, as well as good health and well-being," according to a statement from the Kremlin.

- Algeria -President Abdelmadjid Tebboune congratulated Macron on his "brilliant" victory and invited him to visit Algeria soon "to intensify and broaden" relations which have been fraught in recent times between France and its neighboring former colony.

- China -China President Xi Jinping said he would "like to continue working with President Macron to maintain diplomatic relations based on independence, mutual understanding, foresight and mutual benefit". according to a readout from state broadcaster CCTV.

- Australia -Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Macron's victory was a "great expression of liberal democracy in action in uncertain times".

"We wish you and France every success, in particular your leadership in Europe and as an important partner to Australia in the Indo-Pacific," he tweeted, using an alternative name for the Asia-Pacific region.

In November, Macron accused his Australian counterpart of lying over a multi-billion-dollar submarine contract that Canberra scrapped without warning.

- Canada -Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he was "looking forward to continuing our work together on the issues that matter most to people in Canada and France -- from defending democracy, to fighting climate change, to creating good jobs and economic growth for the middle class".

- India -Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated his "friend" on being re-elected and said "I look forward to continue working together to deepen the India-France Strategic Partnership."

- Japan -Tweeting in French, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida wrote: "We will strengthen our close cooperation with President Macron in various areas, such as the Indo-Pacific region and the Russian aggression against Ukraine."

- Italy -Prime Minister Mario Draghi described Macron's victory as "great news for all of Europe".

- Spain -"The citizens have chosen a France committed to a free, strong and fair EU. Democracy wins. Europe wins," tweeted socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. "Congratulations Emmanuel Macron."

- Belgium -Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said French voters had made a "strong choice", opting for "certainty and Enlightenment values".

- UN bodies -UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi sent his "warm congratulations" and said his organization would continue to count on Macron's support on the European and world stage "as humanitarian challenges and refugee crises become more serious and complex every day".

World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said he looked forward to "continuing the important partnership" with France "for a healthier, safer, fairer world".

- Ireland -Prime Minister Micheal Martin hailed Macron's "principled and dynamic leadership" as "important not only for France, but for Europe".

- Switzerland -President Ignazio Cassis said he looked forward to "continuing our good collaboration," stressing the close ties between the two neighboring countries.

- Sweden -Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson sent her "warmest congratulations".

"Let's continue our close cooperation -- bilaterally and for a competitive, green and resilient European Union," she tweeted.

- African Union -African Union Commission chief Moussa Faki Mahamat congratulated Macron over "his brilliant re-election", saying he hoped to continue building "mutually beneficial relations between Africa and France".



Trump Envoys to Visit Russia and Ukraine at Weekend, TASS Reports

Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner (AFP)
Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner (AFP)
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Trump Envoys to Visit Russia and Ukraine at Weekend, TASS Reports

Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner (AFP)
Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner (AFP)

US negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who have spearheaded efforts to broker a Ukraine peace agreement, will visit Russia and Ukraine on Saturday and Sunday, Russian news agency TASS reported, citing a source.

There was no immediate confirmation.

Witkoff and Kushner last visited Moscow in January, ‌when they held ‌four hours of late-night ‌talks ⁠with President Vladimir Putin in ⁠the Kremlin, Reuters said.

Discussions on US. negotiators going to Ukraine were still ongoing, and the teams have spoken about September 6 as a possible date, a source familiar with the ⁠matter said.

If they come, it ‌would be ‌their first visit to Kyiv.

"The Russians don't ‌want them to visit Kyiv ‌and are trying to make them change the plan," the source added.

A vast gulf remains between Russia and Ukraine on ‌how to end the 4-1/2-year war, the deadliest in Europe ⁠since ⁠World War Two.

Putin has repeatedly demanded that Ukraine give up more territory, while Ukraine rejects terms that it considers tantamount to surrender.

The last US-mediated talks between Russia and Ukraine took place in February, shortly before the United States and Israel launched a war against Iran.


Denmark Aims to Send Rejected Migrants to ‘Return Hubs’ by 2027

Denmark's then Defense Minister Morten Bodskov speaks ahead of a NATO Defense Ministers meeting in Brussels, Belgium, February 16, 2022. (Reuters)
Denmark's then Defense Minister Morten Bodskov speaks ahead of a NATO Defense Ministers meeting in Brussels, Belgium, February 16, 2022. (Reuters)
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Denmark Aims to Send Rejected Migrants to ‘Return Hubs’ by 2027

Denmark's then Defense Minister Morten Bodskov speaks ahead of a NATO Defense Ministers meeting in Brussels, Belgium, February 16, 2022. (Reuters)
Denmark's then Defense Minister Morten Bodskov speaks ahead of a NATO Defense Ministers meeting in Brussels, Belgium, February 16, 2022. (Reuters)

Denmark said Friday it was ready to send rejected asylum seekers to 'return hubs' as of 2027, as it hosted talks with four EU countries on the creation of migrant detention centers outside Europe.

"On the Danish side, we expect to be ready to send the first foreigners to a partner country by the end of next year," Danish Migrations Minister Morten Bodskov said in a statement.

He was meeting with his German, Dutch, Austrian and Greek counterparts on Friday in Copenhagen on the creation of deportation centers outside the European Union.

"This is an important step towards a more efficient asylum and migration system," Bodskov said.

"We do not accept that foreigners staying illegally in Denmark should be rewarded because of our difficulties in returning them."

In June, the European Parliament approved tougher migration rules granting authorities much broader detention powers, and allowing for the creation of 'return hubs'.

The idea has been severely criticized by human rights groups.

The partner country or countries have not been disclosed, but Uganda and Rwanda in particular are seen as possibilities.

Britain abandoned a scheme to deport undocumented migrants to Rwanda, while Italian-run facilities to process migrants in Albania have faced legal challenges and a slow uptake.


Cyprus Ferry Toll Rises to 12 as Two More Bodies Found

Motor boats take part in a search operation for people missing two days after a ferry disaster off the coast of Cyprus, near the port of Kyrenia in the Turkish-occupied northern part of Cyprus, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026. (AP)
Motor boats take part in a search operation for people missing two days after a ferry disaster off the coast of Cyprus, near the port of Kyrenia in the Turkish-occupied northern part of Cyprus, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026. (AP)
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Cyprus Ferry Toll Rises to 12 as Two More Bodies Found

Motor boats take part in a search operation for people missing two days after a ferry disaster off the coast of Cyprus, near the port of Kyrenia in the Turkish-occupied northern part of Cyprus, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026. (AP)
Motor boats take part in a search operation for people missing two days after a ferry disaster off the coast of Cyprus, near the port of Kyrenia in the Turkish-occupied northern part of Cyprus, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026. (AP)

The death toll from a ferry accident off northern Cyprus rose to 12 on Friday after rescuers found the bodies of two women, with another 16 people still missing, officials said.

The FiloJet ferry was carrying 267 people when it capsized shortly after departing from Kyrenia port on the northern shore of the divided island around midday on Sunday.

Rescuers managed to pull 239 people to safety, giving an initial count of eight dead and 20 missing with officials saying they believed they had gone down with the ship.

Round-the-clock rescue efforts have since recovered the bodies of four more victims, the latest two on Friday morning, raising the toll to 12, according to authorities in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), which is only recognized by Ankara.

"The bodies of two more people have been recovered," TRNC prime minister Unal Ustel wrote on X, indicating both were women.

"Search operations are continuing 24/7 in order to reach our 16 missing people," he said as a team of specialist divers and naval drones probed the wreckage which is lying at a depth of 514 meters (1,686 feet).

Since Wednesday morning, two specialist Turkish naval vessels equipped with underwater drones have been working to find the remaining victims.

Before the latest bodies were found, officials said the eight dead were all Turkish nationals, indicating that 18 of the 20 missing were also Turkish while the last two were from northern Cyprus.

They have not given any further details about the nationalities of the two four bodies recovered since Wednesday night.

So far, investigators have been unable to retrieve the ferry's voyage data recorder (VDR) -- its "black box" -- which should give a clearer indication of what led to the ferry capsizing.

The ferry's captain and eight others were remanded in custody on Monday on charges of negligent homicide, and returned to the court in Kyrenia -- Girne in Turkish -- for a second hearing on Thursday.

At that hearing, police investigators said the catastrophe could have been avoided had the captain reduced speed and carefully turned back to port when the ferry started taking on water, media reports said.