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.

The Dubai World Expo is one of the largest events of its kind ever organised in the Middle East. It was supposed to be held in 2020, but was postponed by a year because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Behind the scenes, the event has become a forum for political discussions, as countries in conflict find themselves just metres apart. FRANCE 24's Sylvain Lepetit, Nicolas Keraudren and Sophie Guignon report.

China warned Western nations on Thursday they would "pay the price" for a diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.

The Indian ambassador to Qatar met with the head of Taliban's political office in Doha, marking New Delhi's first official contact with the militant group. The two sides discussed issues of safety and security.

Kyaw Zwar Minn spent the night in his car after being locked out of his embassy in London. The military junta has sidelined him after he showed support for ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

North Korean state media says one of its citizens has been handed over by Malaysia to US authorities to face money laundering charges. Pyongyang said the court ruling was an "absurd fabrication and sheer plot."

Tens of thousands rallied in Karachi, calling on Pakistan to sever diplomatic ties and boycott French products. Demonstrators trampled on images of the French president and burned French flags.

Neither Iran or Israel may seek war. But a diplomatic breakdown after the US pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal, strategic errors and a military buildup make a direct conflict — even an inadvertent one — more likely.

A diplomatic spat between the US and UK plays out on Twitter.

A diplomatic crisis between Turkey and the Netherlands deepens as both sides trade bitter accusations after Turkish ministers were blocked from holding rallies to win support for plans to expand the powers of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.