Macron-Putin: “a frank exchange”

French politics continues to dominate the papers as Emmanuel Macron desperately seeks an alliance to secure a parliamentary majority. The US Senate finds bipartisan support for new gun possession laws for the first time in 30 years. Organisers of the Miss France beauty pageant introduce radical new changes to shake up the contest. Finally, a man escapes his kidnappers by driving erratically on a highway in order to be stopped by authorities.

Macron is in a unique position to urge his opposite number, Paul Biya, to embrace inclusive peace talks to end the nearly six-year conflict devastating Cameroon's Anglophone regions, writes Rebecca Tinsley.

The French president has kicked off a tour of Cameroon, Benin and Guinea-Bissau at a time when French influence in Africa is being called into question in several countries.

Putin accused the West of attempting to "subordinate" Russia with sanctions during a speech at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok. He also announced new deals with China and Myanmar regarding gas and oil.

The Russian president's "pivot to Asia" looks shaky after India and China gave him a subtle cold shoulder at a recent conference. Southeast Asian countries are wary of a Western backlash if they cooperate with Moscow.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has promoted his close accomplice, Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, to colonel general. Who is Putin's self-avowed 'foot soldier'?

The Turkish president said his government would quickly start working on plans for the project — despite facing criticism from fellow NATO members over his relations with Russia amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Setting up a special international tribunal to try Russia's aggression against Ukraine would be an important signal, Claus Kress of the University of Cologne told DW — even if there were no convictions.

Internet sleuths are setting social media alight with claims that the Russian President used "paid extras" in his New Years Eve address, after finding previous official photographs alongside a blonde woman with a striking resemblance - and these claims have hit media headlines across the globe. We take a look in this edition of Truth or Fake with Vedika Bahl.

In tonight's edition: Nigeria's ruling APC party stays in control after Bola Tinubu is named winner of the presidential election. Also, French President Emmanuel Macron touches down in Gabon at the start of a central African tour. And we meet one of Senegal's e-sporting stars: Dexx Junior is hoping to wipe the floor with his rivals in competitive video gaming tournaments.

We look at press reaction to the French government invoking Article 49.3 of the constitution, forcing through Emmanuel Macron's controversial pension reform plan without a vote. In other news: 2.5 tonnes of missing uranium have been found in Libya, sparking questions surrounding nuclear security.

Vladimir Putin is accused of of kneeling down to Xi Jinping and using a body double during his recent trip to occupied Mariupol. We debunk these claims in this edition of Truth or Fake.