Moscow and regional allies want to send a message of unity to the Islamist insurgents with the so-called Collective Security Treaty Organisation. DW's Juri Rescheto reports from Tajikistan where anti-terrorism drills have been taking place at the border.

Inmates in the prison hospital in Saratov, southwestern Russia, were allegedly tortured and filmed. The videos, which have now been revealed, are a blow for law enforcement officers. And it might not be an isolated case.

The dispute surrounds a controversial disciplinary committee for judges set up by the government. Critics say the committee has become politicized and is being used to influence judges. DW met a judge who lost his job because of a ruling by the committee.

From media outlets, punk activists and journalists, to human rights defenders and even ordinary citizens — dozens of people have been ensnared by Russia's law on foreign agents. What exactly does the legislation entail?

Colonel Assimi Goïta, who took power in Mali in an August 2020 coup, has been slow to put in place a promised transition to civilian rule. Now under international sanctions, the country has been gripped by nationalist and pan-African fever for several weeks. Relations with former colonial power France, which has deployed thousands of soldiers as part of an anti-jihadist force for nearly a decade, are strained to the point that Mali recently expelled the French ambassador. Meanwhile, the ruling junta in Bamako is welcoming new allies: members of the Russian paramilitary Wagner Group. Their presence has already been reported in certain areas of the country.

"Everything is on the table" regarding new EU sanctions on Russia - but "de-escalation through diplomacy" remains the bloc's priority in the Ukraine crisis. So says EU Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders in an in-depth interview with FRANCE 24's Europe Editor Catherine Nicholson. The former Belgian foreign minister said the European Commission is preparing measures that could include individual sanctions on "people involved in the possible aggression – such as freezing their assets or a travel ban", as well as what he described as "concrete economic sanctions: transfer of technologies from Europe and in co-ordination with the United States; energy; and maybe financial services".

The Evros River is one of the last obstacles for refugees and migrants crossing from Turkey into Greece on land, but its strong current and treacherous wetlands have claimed many victims. For more than 20 years, coroner Pavlos Pavlidis has been trying to identify them and give their families a sense of closure.

On February 17 and 18, the EU is inviting African Union heads of state to Brussels for a summit. In this debate at the European Parliament, we lift the lid on Europe’s relationship with its African partners and ask what the EU-AU summit might achieve.

In an interview with FRANCE 24, Russia's Permanent Representative to the European Union denied that the six Russian naval ships in the Black Sea have anything to do with Ukraine. Vladimir A. Chizhov also insisted that Moscow has no intention to make a move on Ukrainian territory and reiterated that the Kremlin is committed to a diplomatic outcome to the crisis.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has spoken directly with US President Joe Biden, in the latest attempt to defuse tensions. The call comes as more and more governments tell their citizens to leave Ukraine.

EU governments start advising nationals 'to get out of Ukraine' – DW's Teri Schultz

The German press discusses the stakes for German Chancellor Olaf Scholz as he heads to Ukraine and Russia. We also take a look at some cartoons. Meanwhile, the papers are discussing the rap-focused Super Bowl halftime show and how it "sticks it" to the NFL. We also find out why some Ugandan schools are closing for good. Finally, it's Valentine's Day and the press explains why kissing is good for us.