Day: February 24, 2026

French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday accepted the resignation of Laurence des Cars, who has been under fire in the wake of the heist at the world’s most visited museum, News.Az reports, citing foreign media.
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In a statement, the presidential office said Macron praised des Cars’ resignation decision as “an act of responsibility at a time when the world’s largest museum needs calm and a strong new impetus to carry out major projects involving security upgrades, modernisation” and other initiatives.
Thieves took less than eight minutes in October to steal £76 million worth of crown jewels in a weekend heist at the iconic Louvre Museum.
They used an extendable ladder mounted on a truck to break through an unmonitored window.
Two entered the building while two stayed on the ground. All four then escaped on motorbikes, but in their haste, they dropped a diamond and emerald crown.
Numerous people have been detained since the start of the investigation, with authorities now believing they have all four members of the team who were directly involved in the heist in custody.
In total, five people have been charged in connection with the incident, including the four main crew members and the partner of one of them.
However, the location of the jewels, including an emerald and diamond necklace that Napoleon I had gifted his second wife, Empress Marie-Louise, remains unknown.
Since the theft, security at the Louvre has been transformed after its operators admitted it had been lacking.
Several of its most valuable items have also been transferred to the Bank of France.
The Louvre has also hiked prices for visitors from non-EU countries in recent months, with it rising from 22 euros (£19.25) to 32 euros (£28).

The post Louvre director steps down following jewels heist in Paris appeared first on azeritimes.com.

French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday accepted the resignation of Laurence des Cars, who has been under fire in the wake of the heist at the world’s most visited museum, News.Az reports, citing foreign media.
***
In a statement, the presidential office said Macron praised des Cars’ resignation decision as “an act of responsibility at a time when the world’s largest museum needs calm and a strong new impetus to carry out major projects involving security upgrades, modernisation” and other initiatives.
Thieves took less than eight minutes in October to steal £76 million worth of crown jewels in a weekend heist at the iconic Louvre Museum.
They used an extendable ladder mounted on a truck to break through an unmonitored window.
Two entered the building while two stayed on the ground. All four then escaped on motorbikes, but in their haste, they dropped a diamond and emerald crown.
Numerous people have been detained since the start of the investigation, with authorities now believing they have all four members of the team who were directly involved in the heist in custody.
In total, five people have been charged in connection with the incident, including the four main crew members and the partner of one of them.
However, the location of the jewels, including an emerald and diamond necklace that Napoleon I had gifted his second wife, Empress Marie-Louise, remains unknown.
Since the theft, security at the Louvre has been transformed after its operators admitted it had been lacking.
Several of its most valuable items have also been transferred to the Bank of France.
The Louvre has also hiked prices for visitors from non-EU countries in recent months, with it rising from 22 euros (£19.25) to 32 euros (£28).

The post Louvre director steps down following jewels heist in Paris appeared first on azeritimes.com.

The parties discussed bilateral cooperation and regional security issues, News.Az reports.
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The agenda of the meeting included the development of Armenian-Iranian cooperation, including cooperation in the defense sector.
The parties reaffirmed their intention to strengthen bilateral relations and stressed the importance of stability in the South Caucasus.
According to Iranian media, President Massoud Pezeshkian expressed his satisfaction with the initialing of the peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
He characterized this process as a positive step towards strengthening security and developing regional cooperation.

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Transnational fraud networks operating in Southeast Asia pose a significant threat to the United States, News.Az reports, citing foreign media.
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“Chinese organized crime syndicates running large-scale scam operations in the region are targeting Americans every day,” said Scott Schelble, Deputy Assistant Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation on the FBI’s efforts to counter scam centers in Southeast Asia.
Following a recent trip to Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam, Mr. Shelble said “these are not small or isolated crimes; they are sophisticated, well-resourced criminal enterprises that exploit borders, technology, and vulnerable people to generate enormous profits.”
The FBI, working closely with the Department of Justice, is fully committed to leading the global fight against these networks.
The Royal Thai Police is a strong operational partner, sharing information and producing results. The FBI, Department of Justice Strike Force, and the Royal Thai Police have succeeded in disrupting these criminal networks, identifying victims, and targeting the financial infrastructure that supports these crimes, noted Deputy Assistant Director Shelble.
In Cambodia, U.S. officials discussed how to combat scam operations. “The FBI has partnered with the Cambodian National Police in a task force setting in the past,” said Mr. Shelble, “and my hope is to leverage the success from those investigations towards these scam compounds.”
He discussed similar issues of mutual concern with the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security.
Deputy Assistant Director Shelble had the opportunity to observe several large scam compounds firsthand: “And even viewing them from a distance, it is impossible to fully grasp the magnitude of these operations until you see them yourself. There are entire facilities dedicated to fraud on an industrial scale.”
“And behind these operations are real victims – often Americans who lose their life savings, and in many cases, there are trafficked individuals who are forced to participate in this criminal activity,” said Mr. Shelble. “That human cost is why this work matters so much.”
“The message from this trip is clear. The FBI will continue to pursue these syndicates aggressively wherever they operate, and we will do so in close partnership with trusted international allies,” said Deputy Assistant Director Shelble. “Criminals should not believe that borders will protect them if they target Americans. We know where you are and we are coming for you.”

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“The forces being concentrated indicate preparations for a multi-day operation without conducting a ground invasion,” the publication states, News.Az reports, citing The Washington Post.
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It is noted that dozens of additional aircraft have been positioned aboard the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, which was previously spotted off the coast of the Greek island of Crete.
“Ford has become the second aircraft carrier sent to the Middle East, and its arrival means that roughly one third of all active US warships are now in the region,” the article emphasizes.
The newspaper notes that the current presence of US Armed Forces in the region is among the largest in the past two decades.
Earlier, The New York Times reported that US authorities fear Iran could mobilize groups under its control to carry out retaliatory attacks against American facilities.

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According to the new plan, the country will reach NATO’s target of 3.5% of GDP by 2030, five years ahead of the Alliance’s previous schedules, News.Az reports, citing foreign media.
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One of the key points of this strategy is to significantly strengthen support for Ukraine. In particular, in 2026, the government proposes to increase funding for Ukraine by about €509 million to meet immediate defense needs.
Overall, the economic plan provides for an additional €34.2 billion to be allocated throughout the program’s implementation period. These funds will be used for large-scale rearmament and strengthening Denmark’s military presence within NATO’s collective security framework.
According to the schedule, annual expenditures will gradually increase from an additional €2.87 billion in 2027 to more than €6 billion annually at the end of the decade. This funding will supplement the funds already reserved under the previous 2023 defense agreement.

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The match began in an electric atmosphere, with supporters creating a vibrant backdrop as the teams took to the pitch. Newcastle entered the fixture carrying momentum from the first leg, while Qarabağ stepped onto the field determined to deliver a disciplined and competitive performance, News.Az reports.

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From the opening whistle, Newcastle looked to assert control through structured build up play and high pressing. The English side pushed forward early, testing Qarabağ’s defensive line with quick combinations in midfield and dangerous movement inside the box.

Qarabağ, meanwhile, adopted a compact shape and focused on quick transitions. The Azerbaijani champions sought to absorb pressure and exploit spaces on the counterattack, aiming to unsettle the home defense with pace on the wings.

The early exchanges were intense, with strong challenges in midfield and both teams attempting to dictate tempo. Newcastle maintained possession for longer spells, but Qarabağ showed resilience, closing down spaces and limiting clear scoring opportunities in the opening minutes.

This fixture carries significant importance for both clubs. Progression to the next round would mark another major milestone for Qarabağ on the European stage, while Newcastle are aiming to continue their resurgence in continental competition.

As the first half unfolds, the tactical battle between the two sides remains finely balanced. Supporters from both camps are closely following every attack and defensive intervention as the match promises drama and high intensity football.

Further updates, including goals and key moments, will follow as the game progresses.

The post Newcastle United vs Qarabağ FK match kicks off in Champions League clash​ appeared first on azeritimes.com.

“If we value democratic government, if we value the concept of territorial integrity, if we value state sovereignty, then we see Ukraine’s fight as part of a broader fight in defence of those principles,” said Anand, News.Az reports, citing foreign media.

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In front of Ukrainian ambassador Andrii Plakhotniuk and students at the University of Ottawa, Anand announced the renewal of Operation Unifier, a military training mission initially launched in 2014, promising $2 billion for the program.

This adds up to a total of $25 billion of support from Canada to Ukraine over the last four years.

“Furthermore, Canada will be imposing sanctions on 21 individuals and 53 entities, as well as 100 vessels from Russia’s shadow fleet, under the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations,” according to a press release from the Department of National Defence.

“Canada is also lowering its price cap for Russian crude oil from US$47.60 to US$44.10 per barrel.”

Continuing to stand by Ukraine is crucial, according to Anand, for asserting the rule of international law.

“Putin cannot redraw maps at will. Geography is not a matter that dictators can decide,” Anand said.

Canada is not the only country marking the anniversary with a show of support for Ukraine.

More than a dozen senior European officials went to Kyiv to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and pay tribute to fallen Ukrainian soldiers, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.

Earlier today, Zelenskyy addressed the Ukrainian people in a video uploaded to YouTube, praising the strength and resilience of the Ukrainian armed forces.

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The match was played at a high tempo, with both teams creating multiple scoring opportunities. Newcastle opened the scoring early in the first half, but Qarabağ responded with an equaliser to bring the sides level, News.Az reports.

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The hosts regained the lead before the break, while Qarabağ again drew level in the second half following a quick attacking move. Newcastle secured the winning goal later in the match to seal the 3–2 result.

Both sides showed attacking intent throughout the game, producing an open contest with five goals scored.

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