France

The torch for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games was lit in ancient Olympia in a traditional ceremony on Tuesday, marking the final stretch of the seven-year preparations for the Games' start on July 26.

ANCIENT OLYMPIA - The torch for the Paris 2024 Olympics was lit by the sun's rays in a dress rehearsal in ancient Olympia on Monday ahead of Tuesday's official ceremony that will mark the final stretch to the Games in France.

BELGRADE - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Monday Serbia's chances regarding a UN resolution on Srebrenica were not high as it had the most dominant Western powers against it, but noted that the country would fight.

In the latest update of the ATP world rankings, Grigor Dimitrov, Bulgaria's most successful tennis player, maintains his position in the top ten despite a slight drop. Dimitrov now stands at No. 10 after adding 100 points to his tally to reach the round of 16 at the Monte-Carlo Masters 1000 tournament.

France is hosting an international conference on Sudan on Monday, exactly a year after war broke out in the northeast African country, leading to a humanitarian and political crisis.

France is seeking contributions from the international community, and attention to what officials say is a crisis crowded out of the global conversation by ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.

Turkish security forces have apprehended a terrorist operating as the leader of the so-called "northern Paris youth branch" of the PKK/KCK terrorist organization, upon his arrival at Istanbul Airport from France.

In the wake of Iran's recent drone attack on Israel, European Union (EU) and NATO member states have heightened their state of combat readiness. This move comes amidst escalating tensions in the region, with concerns not only for the safety of partner nations but also for the protection of their own forces deployed in conflict zones.

Iran's Revolutionary Guard Navy seized the MSC ARIES container ship, reportedly linked to Israel, near the Strait of Hormuz. The vessel, registered under the Portuguese flag and owned by Zodiac Maritime, was last spotted heading towards the Strait of Hormuz. Tensions escalated amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, with US President Biden anticipating an Iranian attack on Israel soon.

Amid global fears of a large-scale upheaval in the Middle East, Israel's ambassador to Greece, Noam Katz, warned Iran not to attack Israel, saying it has the ability to react decisively.

Speaking at the ninth Delphi Economic Forum in Greece, Katz said Israel is a strong country, with "very strong defense measures and the ability to react." 

After Microsoft and Digital Realty, France's Data 4 is entering the Greek market of data centers.

Data 4 has established a subsidiary and is looking for a manager who will undertake the design and construction of its data center in Greece, while a Canadian group is also eyeing the domestic market.