French aid worker arrives in France after 4 years of being held hostage by Islamic extremists in Mali

PARIS (AP) — A 75-year-old French aid worker held hostage for four years by Islamic extremists in Mali has arrived in France, greeted by President Emmanuel Macron. Relatives also welcomed home two Italians and a Malian politician freed with her this week. Sophie Petronin was released with the other three hostages this week, and landed Friday at the Villacoublay military airport southwest of Paris. Family members enveloped her in a huge embrace as she descended from the plane. Macron has expressed joy and relief at her release, thanked the Malian authorities and promised that the French military would continue its fight against terrorism in the region.