FRANCE is said to be ready to deploy a “nuclear shield” to help protect Europe from any looming Russian threats.

President Emmanuel Macron is leading the way in helping to protect the Continent after he held “productive” talks with Donald Trump over ending the Ukraine war.

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Macron has suggested a truce could be agreed between Kyiv and Moscow in a matter of weeks following the Trump chat[/caption]

Reuters

The conflict in Ukraine has now entered its fourth year with fighting still raging along the border[/caption]

Macron suggested a truce could be agreed between Kyiv and Moscow in a matter of weeks as he spoke to Fox News following the Trump chat.

The positive comments come just days after the conflict entered its fourth year with fighting still raging along the border.

Macron’s France have also reportedly proposed the idea of sending fighter jets carrying nuclear weapons across to Germany.

The deterrent would act as a stark warning to Russia’s tyrant Vladimir Putin, a French official told The Telegraph.

It would “send a strong message” to Moscow that Europe is still prepared to defend Ukraine regardless of a peace deal being agreed.

Diplomats in Berlin also hope it will place pressure on UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to deploy British jets as well.

France’s nuclear deterrent – said to hold up to 300 missiles – is currently independent from Nato whereas Britain’s forms a key part of the alliance’s defence strategy.

Germany’s Friedrich Merz, leader of the Christian Democrats (CDU) and man tipped to become the country’s next chancellor, has already welcomed the idea of sending extra defences to Berlin.

He said last Friday that Paris and London should discuss “whether their nuclear protection could also be extended to us”.

Germany currently holds an arsenal of nuclear missiles sent to them by the US which has long guaranteed the Continent’s safety.

However, Macron alone has over three times more weapons available at his disposal with Britain also capable of bulking up Europe’s border.

It is unclear if Trump will move his deterrents if the UK and France do decide to bolster defences.

This has been seen as a sign of Europe continuing to try and create a stronger alliance which isn’t as dependent on America’s help.

In Merz’s victory speech after topping the German polls he urged leaders to look towards an “independent European defence capability”.. 

His remarks came after brave Volodymyr Zelensky called for the creation of an “Army of Europe” to take on Russia earlier this month.

EUROPE MEETS TRUMP

Macron and Starmer are both leading the way in trying to urge Washington to listen to all parties involved in a truce including – Europe and Ukraine – after recent US-Russia only talks.

Macron stood side-by-side with Trump in the White House on Monday to discuss the war.

It was the first meeting between the Republican and a European leader since Trump re-entered office in January.

Speaking together at a podium, Macron said peace “must not be a surrender of Ukraine” as he also called on Europeans to do more to protect the Continent.

AFP or licensors

Macron sits in a Dassault Aviation Rafale fighter jet in 2017 after he reportedly proposed the idea of sending jets carrying nuclear weapons to Germany[/caption]

AP

Ukrainian soldiers of the 43rd Artillery Brigade fire a howitzer[/caption]

The Mega Agency

Macron and Keir Starmer are both leading the way in trying to help Europe get a seat at the table in the peace talks[/caption]

Starmer is also due to meet with President Trump on Thursday to hold similar talks. 

Trump spoke with his “friend” Macron, as he repeated the war in Ukraine would “never have happened if I was president”.

He also made a stern warning that any overspill outside of Ukraine’s borders could have a devastating outcome if a peace deal isn’t secured soon.

He said: “There will be a point where it is not going to stop at those two countries.

“Already there is such involvement from other countries and it could really lead to a very big war, World War III, and we are not gonna let that happen either.”

Meanwhile Macron echoed Trump’s words but made it clear that Ukraine’s future should be prioritised and that the US and Europe need to “shoulder” responsibilities.

And on the prospect of European troops being used as peacemakers in Ukraine, Macron clarified that troops “would not be on the front line, but mark a presence in Ukraine as a guarantee”.

The French leader grimaced after Trump incorrectly suggested European assistance to Ukraine would be in the form of loans.

Macron said: “Europe is willing to step up to be a stronger partner, to do more on defence and security on this continent, as well as to be a reliable partner.”

He added that there is “good reason” to re-engage with Putin, but “being strong and having deterrence capabilities is the only way” to ensure an agreement is “respected”.

Macron said that his aim is to “try to get something first which can be assessed, checked and verified” and “ensure that we build sufficient guarantees in the short-run”.

The French president added: “This is where we are ready to be engaged.

“A lot of my European colleagues are ready to be engaged.

After the meeting, the United States shockingly sided with Russia in a UN vote on a resolution demanding that Putin’s troops leave Ukraine.

The US President’s administration joined Iran, North Korea, Belarus, Hungary and 13 others to oppose the call — with China abstaining.

Yet 93 countries voted in favour of the Ukraine-tabled resolution — which branded Russia the “aggressor” — including the UK and most European nations.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has long called on his European allies to give him more support[/caption]

EPA

US, Russian and Saudi representatives spoke at Riyadh’s Diriyah Palace over peace talks on February 18 – notably excluding Europe and Ukraine[/caption]

A FOURTH man has been arrested in connection with the killing of an asylum seeker who was stabbed to death after a rap gig in Dublin earlier this month.

Quham Babatunde, 34, was stabbed to the chest and ­suffered other wounds in Dublin city centre’s South Anne Street on February 15.

The incident took place while he had been standing back from a melee between two groups who had emerged from a Kojo Funds concert in a nightclub in the early hours of the morning.

A second man was seriously injured during the same incident.

Gardai confirmed that they have arrested a fourth man, aged in his 20s, in connection with the killing this morning.

A spokesperson said: “Gardai have made a fourth arrest in connection with the fatal assault at South Anne Street/Duke Lane Upper, Dublin 2 on the 15th February, 2025.

“A man, aged in his 20s, was arrested this morning and is currently detained under Section 4 of Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at a Garda Station in Dublin.

“Investigations are ongoing.”

Three men have so far been charged in connection with an attack on Babatunde.

Rory Carr, 21 from Ard Na Gréine, Seapoint Lane in Balbriggan, Co Dublin, and Jeffrey Bangu, of the same age and from Cardy Rock Crescent in Balbriggan, have both been charged with violent disorder and assaulting the two victims causing them harm.

Both of those men have been remanded in custody and are due in court again this week.

Ryan Ndede of Boroimhe Birches, Swords, Dublin was brought before Belfast Magistrates Court last week and was remanded in custody to appear before the same court again on 21 March.

Supplied

AN ULTRA-violent gang in France has been exposed by police after the country’s “public enemy number one” was arrested after a bloody jailbreak.

Dubbed the “Black Mafia Family” (BMF), the crime syndicate have been revealed by crops for the first time after the dramatic recapture of notorious gangster “The Fly.”

AP

French fugitive known as ‘The Fly’ was arrested on Saturday[/caption]

AFP

Police exposed an ultra-violent gang called Black Mafia Family linked to Amra who organised his escape[/caption]

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Amra was caught nine months after his dramatic prison break which saw two guards brutally killed[/caption]

The mob had had long passed under police radar before a deadly prison break which saw two police officers slaughtered “like dogs” and the successful escape of Mohammed Amra. 

A ine-month investigation uncovered the existence of the vicious gang linked to the “highly dangerous” convicted criminal Amra,.

Nicknamed “The Fly” due to his ability to “be everywhere”, Amra was caught in Bucharest, Romania on Saturday.

French cops have now unveiled the ruthless criminal group linked to him – warning they are one of the nation’s most dangerous crime groups.

Police believe the savage gang are behind the fatal prison break in which two guards were brutally killed at a motorway toll station by masked gunmen in May last year. 

Dramatic footage showed the shocking moment Amra escaped from his prison convoy after the leading van was rammed at the tollbooth.

The BMF runs drug-trafficking networks in Normandy, a region on the French coast whose northwest area is plagued by such drug hubs.

Around half the cocaine entering France from Latin America transits through the Normandy port of Le Havre.

Amra, aged 30, spent much of his childhood growing up there.

At least 24 people have been arrested suspected of being involved in the breakout since Amra’s recapture on Saturday, with handguns and a Kalashnikov being seized in their homes after searches.

The organised crime prosecutors’ office said that the arrested people were suspected of “participating in the preparation and execution of Amra’s escape and also aiding the concealment of the fugitive”.

Several of the suspects may be members of the Black Mafia Family, which is responsible for drug trafficking according to police. 

Although many of the arrested suspects were caught in Normandy, the BMF is believed to have ties with criminal groups in Marseilles, and other countries in Europe and Latin America.

Two alleged accomplices were arrested in Morocco, one in Spain and another in Thailand.

AP

Amra’s arrest came before police unveiled a deadly criminal gang known as the Black Mafia Family[/caption]

X

Masked shooters were captured taking part in the escape[/caption]

The calculated gang – whose name is believed to have derived from its founders’ African roots and the influence of rap culture – is even suspected of having informants within the police. 

A senior police source told Le Parisien: “The police have never encountered a criminal group this wary and with such in-depth knowledge of police investigation methods.”

The complex organisation also includes several gangs within it which are known as “crime families”. 

One of these has been named by detectives as The G Family, who are suspected of carrying out the brutal prison break.

One of the suspected G Family members is an unnamed 29-year-old who allegedly took part in the deadly attack.

He is currently in prison awaiting trial on charges of murdering a man in a nightclub in Paris last October.

“Highly dangerous” Amra is not believed to be part of the BMF, but is alleged to have worked with the organisation to smuggle cannabis from north Africa into France.

AFP

Amra was being taken Evreux prison, Normandy, before gunmen freed him in a dramatic escape[/caption]

Reuters

An Interpol red notice was requested following Amra’s escape[/caption]

Over 300 investigators were tasked with tracking him down following his escape after France even requested an Interpol red notice asking for foreign help to hunt down the cunning convict.

When he was finally caught in Romania, where he planned to have plastic surgery to change his appearance, he told reporters that he had been in the country for a “holiday”.

The crafty runaway had also dyed his hair a shade of red, had grown a beard and was wearing glasses when police intercepted his taxi on the way to a shopping mall.

He was pictured smiling as he was being taken away by police.

Romania’s interior minister Catalin Predoiu praised officers who “located, identified and captured him within 48 hours of receiving information”.

French President Emmanuel Macron hailed Amra’s capture as “a formidable success”.

AP

Amra was caught smiling and told reporters that he was in Romania on holiday[/caption]

A MYSTERIOUS bruise was spotted on Donald Trump’s hand after he had shared at least three awkward handshakes with Emmanuel Macron.

The duo’s hearty encounter happened outside The White House during the French President’s visit for talks over Ukraine.

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A bruise was spotted on Trump’s hand during their handshake[/caption]

AFP

The two leaders shook hands again as they held talks over Ukraine[/caption]

Alamy

The two Presidents shared a handshake as they met outside The White House[/caption]

Splash

The duo shared a warm embrace as they met at the Oval Office[/caption]

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The Republican and the French President shared a third handshake during their joint press conference[/caption]

The two leaders rekindled their bromance as they shared a lengthy handshake, hugged and laughed – despite their disagreements.

A close-up photo of the gripping handshake of the two leaders shows a large bruise on the Republican’s hand covered with makeup.

The picture sparked frenzied speculation on social media with various theories circulating – but it remains unclear how the US President got the bruise.

It was spotted as the Republican and the French President shook hands as they sat at the Oval Office – after sharing an intense 12-second handshake outside the White House.

Another uncomfortable handshake happened a bit later during a press conference.

The duo has a long history of public displays of affection – with a 29-second handshake going viral in the past.

Their legendary handshake was in Brussels in 2017 – the year they both started their first presidential terms- was so intense it left Trump’s hand with white finger marks.

During their meeting, Trump was then seen tapping Macron’s arm as he shared a tale about a meeting in Paris with the French President seen gripping Trump’s hand as he laughed.

The meeting of the two leaders came amid growing tensions as the US sided with Russia in a UN vote on a resolution demanding that Putin’s troops leave Ukraine.

The French leader grimaced after Trump incorrectly suggested European assistance to Ukraine would be in the form of loans.

Macron interrupted his 78-year-old counterpart and corrected him: “No, in fact, to be frank.

“We paid 60 per cent of the total effort and it was — like the US — loans, guarantees, grants.”

Trump smirked and said after Macron spoke: “If you believe that, it’s ok with me.”

Macron added: “Europe is willing to step up to be a stronger partner, to do more on defence and security on this continent, as well as to be a reliable partner.”

Trump repeated that the war in Ukraine would “never have happened if I was President”.

But he also made a stern warning that any overspill could have a devastating outcome if a peace deal isn’t secured.

He said: “There will be a point where it is not going to stop at those two countries.

“Already there is such involvement from other countries and it could really lead to a very big war, World War III, and we are not gonna let that happen either.”

Trump added: “It’s time to restore peace and I think we’re going to do it.

“We have had some great conversations, including with Russia.”

In response, the French leader cautioned that it’s crucial that any potential agreement with Moscow does not amount to surrender for Ukraine.

He said: “This peace must not mean a surrender of Ukraine or a ceasefire without guarantees, it must allow for Ukrainian sovereignty and allow Ukraine to negotiate with other stakeholders regarding the issues that affect it.

“It is also a country in which we need to shoulder our responsibilities so that we ensure security and stability for Ukraine and for the entire region.

“For Europeans this is an existential issue.”

Macron made it clear that Ukraine’s future should be prioritised and that the US and Europe need to “shoulder” responsibilities.

He said: “This peace must not mean a surrender of Ukraine or a ceasefire without guarantees, it must allow for Ukrainian sovereignty and allow Ukraine to negotiate with other stakeholders regarding the issues that affect it.

“It is also a country in which we need to shoulder our responsibilities so that we ensure security and stability for Ukraine and for the entire region.”

Despite their disagreements, the two leaders exchanged compliments as Macron hailed their “friendship from your first term.”

Trump praised the Frenchman for the restoration of the fire-damaged Notre Dame cathedral.

Getty Images - Getty

AFP or licensors

The two Presidents during a joint press conference in Washington in April 2018[/caption]

Getty - Pool

The two of them held hands during Macron’s visit to the Oval Office in April 2018[/caption]

AFP or licensors

Trump and Macron hold a meeting during the G7 Summit in Quebec Canada in 2018[/caption]

Getty Images - Getty

Reuters

Trump and Macron shook hands ahead of a NATO Summit in Brussels in May 2017[/caption]

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MARRIED At First Sight UK’s Erica Roberts has opened up about moments from the reunion special that didn’t make it to screen.

In the special one-off episode, which aired on Monday night, Erica appeared at a dinner with a host of other brides and grooms from the E4 favourite.

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Erica made a bombshell confession during the MAFS reunion[/caption]

Channel 4

The star’s appearance was a surprise to many – especially Kieran[/caption]

Channel 4

Kieran confessed to kissing Erica, but hadn’t told his ex, Kristina yet[/caption]

During the evening, she announced to the group that she had ‘kissed and had a sleepover’ with 2024 groom Kieran Chapman when he had visited her in Edinburgh five months after the end of his relationship.

His bride Kristina Goodsell, was seen getting upset as the moment played out, with Kieran noting he “hadn’t told her yet”.

However Erica insists we don’t know the full story and that things weren’t as they seemed.

Writing on Instagram as the special aired, she wrote: “Haven’t watched tonight’s episode yet as I’m busy but just to clarify, Kristina already knew and had been told off camera what had happened which is why I brought it up at the dinner table.

“I wouldn’t have ever mentioned it or ‘blindsided’ her in front of everyone if she didn’t already know what was going to be said.

“Please remember this is a TV SHOW for your entertainment and it’s literally not that deep. All love good night xxx”

In a trailer for the new episode of her podcast You and Me, which she hosts with The Traitors star Meryl Williams, Erica later cleared things up further saying she that Kieran had pulled Kristina aside and told her off-camera while filming.

“He was avoiding, completely avoiding the situation,” Erica said. “It then got to the point where we were now in the dinner party, and we were halfway through the dinner party, and again we stopped [filming].”

“He’d probably been in that mixer from like 12 o’clock in the afternoon. How long time is it? Was now like six o’clock at night.”

“I was just getting a bit like, ‘Look, it’s going to… someone’s going to say something, or someone’s going to tell her, and it’s just not going to be right coming from someone else again, it just it needs to come from him.”

“We stopped for a quick break halfway for the dinner party, what does Kieran do? All cameras are off, he goes around to Kristina and says, ‘By the way, just to let you know, me and Erica did have a kiss. It was like two months ago, but I just want to, I just want to tell you off camera.”

“I was like, ‘Are you f**king for real? Because her reaction in that moment was, Well, why didn’t you tell me this two months ago?” she continued. “Again, he doesn’t need to tell her s**t, because they’ve been broken up for months.”

“It’s actually not that deep,” Erica added. “It’s not that deep. I’ve not ran off with her man and married him, like we literally had a one kiss. Like, it’s not that deep.

“You would never, ever, ever, ever, ever, in the real world be like, by the way, I kissed your ex husband.”

Married At First Sight: The Reunion is available now on Chanel 4 on Demand.

Channel 4

Erica revealed there was more that didn’t make it to the show’s final cut[/caption]

Channel 4

Kieran was seen looking uncomfortable at her arrival[/caption]

Channel 4

Kieran eventually came clean about what happened to Kristina[/caption]

TOMATOES can be a juicy refreshing ingredient but they can be hit or miss.

But this is actually down to how you’re storing them.

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Experts warn that tomatoes can become ‘mushy and tasteless’ if stored incorrectly (stock image)[/caption]

When they get home from the shop, majority of people toss their tomatoes in the fridge without a second thought.

However, experts at the storage company Urban Locker revealed that you should be storing them at room temperature.

And this makes sense considering we don’t pick them up in the refrigerated section while grocery shopping.

According to professionals, storing tomatoes wrong can “make them turn soft, mushy, and flavourless too quickly”. 

They also revealed that “despite increasing prices, tomatoes are one of the most commonly wasted foods in the UK”.

The experts shared that Brits end up binning an estimated 733 million tomatoes each year.

And since cold temperatures can cause the cell structure in a tomato to break down, the fruit will develop a dull flavour as well as a mushy texture.

“Always store your tomatoes in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, but never in the fridge,” said Elizabeth Adams a storage expert from Urban Locker.

She recommended taking them out of their packaging and putting them on a flat surface stem-side down.  

“To reduce moisture you can put paper towels on this surface to absorb an excess moisture and stop them from sitting in condensation,” she explained.

For tomatoes on the vine, Elizabeth suggested removing the vine because “one bad tomato can spoil the rest”.  

“If you notice that one of your tomatoes is overripening at a quicker rate than the others remove it, as tomatoes release ethylene gas which can speed up the ripening process for all of them,” she said.

“This simple hack can make a big difference and small changes like this can help reduce your food waste at home and help you to save money over time.”

As well as keeping your tomatoes out of the fridge, Urban Locker has another tip for helping them last longer, saving your money.

They recommended storing your tomatoes stem-side down to prolong freshness.

“This may seem like a minor detail, but if you want your tomatoes to last longer and cut down on food wastage this little hack can help,” Elizabeth explained.

“Placing tomatoes with their stem-side down helps to prevent moisture loss and slows down the ripening process.”

This storage hack works because of how a tomato grows.  

The fruit has a natural weak spot where the stem attaches and this area is more porous than the rest of the skin, allowing air and bacteria to enter.

When tomatoes are stored with their stem facing upwards, moisture can leave more easily causing your tomatoes to spoil quicker and shrivel up.

By placing your tomato’s stem-side down, the tomato’s natural protective skin will remain intact, reducing airflow and preventing premature softening.

“At room temperature, this small adjustment can help your tomatoes last for several days longer,” said Elizabeth.

And if your tomatoes have gone too soft, the expert explained that you still don’t need to throw them away just yet.

Instead, she recommended finding alternative ways to incorporate them into dishes, such as in pasta sauces, soups, or salsas.

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To keep your tomatoes tasting sweet, keep them at room temperature instead of the fridge (stock image)[/caption]

NEARLY 100 flood alerts and warnings have been put in place across the country as a month’s worth of rain will fall in just hours.

Water levels are being closely monitored as “intense rainfall” is expected to impact roads, sewer systems, properties and even cause danger to life.

Metoffice/X

The Met Office has released a map of the latest weather predictions[/caption]

Gov.uk

The warnings are scattered across the country[/caption]

Bav Media

Each warning and alert has issued advice directly for those living in the area so residents are being urged to check the Government site[/caption]

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Drivers have been urged to not continue through water in some areas[/caption]

Government warnings urging those in affected areas to “act now” have been actioned.

Individuals could be at risk of long-term flood risk as 14 areas have been issued with “expected” floods and another 87 as “possible”.

Residents in the south are particularly likely to be impacted as red alerts have been dotted around Dorchester across to Woking.

Those impacted should take direct advice from the Government’s website with each area being affected differently.

For instance, those near the Hoe Stream at Woking have been urged to move possessions and valuables off the ground or to safety as deep, fast flowing water could “cause danger to life”.

Meanwhile, anyone near certain parts of the Upper Wylye should act with caution, avoiding low lying footpaths.

Some have been told to not attempt to walk or drive through flood water.

Affected areas include those close to Norwich, Loughborough, Shrewsbury, Gloucester, Reading, Salisbury, Axminster and many more.

Incident response staff are on site in affected areas to actively check river levels and the weather forecast.

Travel disruption is also expected across the country with local flooding likely due to possible persistent rain.

The upcoming deluge of bad weather will sweep in from the west, bringing in hailstorms and blistering winds.

Those in the north will be particularly affected as a huge band of wet weather brings in a month’s worth of rain in just hours.

The rain will coincide with a drop in temperatures, soaring to highs of 16C. 

London will be the warmest area of the UK mainland, enjoying temperatures of 9C. 

Meanwhile, Northern Scotland will face a much colder 5C as temperatures return to their seasonal normal. 

A Met Office spokesperson said: “A chilly but bright start to Tuesday in places, with showers spreading in from the west.

“Some rain may also move into the far southeast for a time.”

According to the forecaster’s map, current estimates suggest rainfall sweeping across the country from the early hours of tomorrow morning until the afternoon, with scattered showers continuing throughout.

The Government site has suggested those wanting to protect themselves from future flooding, prepare five days in advance.

Advice also includes setting up a personal, community or group flood plan and contacting your local council for help if you have a disability.

Sarah Cook, flood duty manager at the Environment Agency, said heavy and persistent rain had brought “a risk of significant inland flooding in parts of south and mid Wales”.

She added that localised flooding was also possible in south-west England and Cumbria on Monday morning.

Anyone still unsure how to act have the option to contact Floodline via their helpline or webchat.

Residents situated in high-risk areas can also arrange flood warnings to be sent directly to their phone by text or email.

Stephen Huntley/HVC

Possible risks to life could also be posed in some districts[/caption]

Avalon.red

Flooding has been described as likely in areas due to possible persistent rainfall[/caption]

©Graham Hunt

The River Axe in Devon burst its banks after heavy overnight rain yesterday[/caption]