France schools protests: more than 6,100 arrested since start of demonstrations

After more than two weeks of high school protests across France, police have arrested a total of 6,100 individuals, the majority of whom are minors who, until now, had no previous criminal record. So, what has happend to these students, and what lies ahead for them? FRANCE 24's Caitlin Brown has more.

Evicted pensioner who sparked Spain housing protests dies: tenant union

Maricarmen ​Abascal, the 87-year-old woman whose eviction sparked housing ​protests in Spain, has died, Madrid's tenants' union said on Wednesday. Abascal's eviction sparked a series of ​protests ‌across Spain in the past couple ⁠of weeks, including activists camping on one of Madrid's main ‌squares, and calls for tackling a ⁠mounting housing crisis. FRANCE 24's Sarah Morris reports from Madrid.

‘It’s still unclear whether Netanyahu will pay for what happened during his time in office’

As Israel marks the third anniversary of the October 7 attacks, questions linger about the warnings Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received about them. Speaking with FRANCE 24's Mark Owen, Ayala Panievsky, Lecturer at City University of London and author of The New Censorship, explains that the allegations in the run-up to the elections "are very damaging for Netanyahu but there are some factors mitigating the risk for him", including a fragmented opposition as well as the control of major media.

White House promotes 'Trump TV' with an AI-altered photo

The White House has promoted “Trump TV” using an AI-altered photo of passengers apparently watching the president’s new streaming channel. But the image was originally posted online in February 2023, showing passengers watching the NFL Super Bowl, with one watching the film “Hitch”. The original photo was modified using AI to make it appear the passengers were watching Trump TV. The post did not disclose that the image had been altered. Vedika Bahl explains in Truth or Fake.

Evicted pensioner Maricarmen Abascal, heart of Spain’s housing protests, dies

Maricarmen ​Abascal, the 87-year-old woman whose eviction sparked housing ​protests in Spain, has died, Madrid's tenants' union said on Wednesday. Massive protests following Abascal's eviction spiralled into a political crisis, eventually leading Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to call a snap election.

Trump says ‘we don’t think’ Russian plague is bio-weapon

US President Donald Trump said Wednesday that the death of a Russian plague laboratory worker did not appear to be linked to a biological weapon. "We don't think so. We're going to find out soon enough, but we don't think so," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office when asked if a "bio-weapon" was involved. Russia warned earlier against "false" information as reports emerged of a second suspected case. The US and UN have urged Russia to be more transparent. FRANCE 24's Fraser Jackson reports from Washington.

‘Resilience’ of Israelis as they mourn the loss of loved ones and ‘the sense that we can be safe’

Angela Diffley is pleased to welcome Dr. Danny Brom, Founding Director of METIV, the Israel Psychotrauma Center in Jerusalem. According to Dr. Brom, as Israelis and Jewish people around the world continue to mourn the largest loss of Jewish life on a single day since the Holocaust, their fundamental sense of collective security has also been shattered. What strikes him, however, is the resilience that exists alongside the grieving.

France summons Iranian ambassador over ‘disinformation’ on student protests

The French foreign ministry on Wednesday summoned the Iranian ambassador to protest against a "disinformation campaign conducted by the Iranian authorities" over the student protests that have rocked France. The move came a day after Tehran summoned the French ambassador over the treatment of protesters in France.

France suspends the use of stun grenades after student protester loses hand

The French ​government said Wednesday it would suspend the use of stun grenades in its attempts to manage the student protests now roiling the country after a 15-year-old boy had his hand blown off during a clash with riot police.

What France’s student protesters want – and what the government is offering

Staff shortages, rats in the corridors, and a university admissions system that feels like a lottery: As protests sweep France, high school students have drawn up a list of demands to deal with these and other issues. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has promised a government response by the end of October, but whether he can quell the unrest remains to be seen.

France: Government suspends stun grenade use in school protests

France has suspended police use of stun grenades at high school demonstrations, the interior minister announced, amid growing allegations of police brutality after two weeks of protests marked by frequent violent clashes that have left hundreds injured.France has suspended police use of stun grenades at high school demonstrations, the interior minister announced, amid growing allegations of police brutality after two weeks of protests marked by frequent violent clashes that have left hundreds injured.

US woman who survived botched execution is conscious, speaking

The woman who survived a failed execution in a US prison last week is now conscious and speaking, but her prognosis remains unclear, her lawyers said on Tuesday. Christa Pike, 50, who was sentenced to death for a murder she committed when she was a teenager, received two supposedly lethal doses of the drug pentobarbital at a Tennessee prison a week ago.

Scars from Oct. 7 fuel deep divisions over Netanyahu ahead of Israeli election

As Israel gears up for its first elections since Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his opponents are putting it at the heart of their campaigns. Three years on, the worst security failure in Israel’s history now threatens to end the career of its longest-serving prime minister. FRANCE 24's Noga Tarnopolsky reports from Jerusalem.

African tourists cancelling trip as xenophobia shadows South Africa’s appeal

South Africa has recorded record tourist arrivals over the past two months, with more than one million visitors arriving by air each month. But behind these encouraging figures, a concern is emerging: African tourists may gradually turn away from South Africa, even as tourism accounts for more than 8% of the country’s GDP. The country’s xenophobic image has left its mark, as FRANCE 24’s team on the ground reports.

Brit adventurer back on UK soil after 28-year round-the-world walk

British adventurer on a 50,000-kilometre, 28-year trek home from South America without using any transport has set foot on UK soil after swimming the Channel, his publicists said Tuesday. Karl Bushby, a 57-year-old former paratrooper, set off from Punta Arenas, Chile, in November 1998, vowing to reach his mother's home near Hull in northern England without travelling on planes, trains, boats, vehicles or other transport modes.

New Comoros law bans foreign nationals from certain jobs

A new law in the Comoros bans foreign nationals from running certain small-scale businesses, threatening the livelihoods of thousands of people, most of them Malagasy. A measure that mirrors a growing wave of economic protectionism targeting migrant workers across the continent.

A new 'Les Mis': This week in French film

This week on arts24, film critic Manon Kerjean takes us through some of the latest French cinema releases, starting with a new adaptation of Victor Hugo's "Les Misérables". Vincent Lindon plays Jean Valjean, opposite Tahar Rahim as Inspector Javert in a three-hour epic that brings a thriller-like tension to the classic story.

What we know about espionage, treason allegations against Germany’s ex-spy chief

A court on Wednesday ordered the former head of Germany's foreign intelligence service August Hanning to remain in pretrial detention after his arrest on suspicion of espionage and treason, along with a former deputy who allegedly supplied him with secret files. Here's what we know about one of the biggest security breaches in German history.

From Mai 68 to 2026: France’s long student protests tradition

Students, parents and trade unions were demonstrating across France Tuesday, protesting what they say is under-investment in high schools. From Mai 68 to the CPE crisis in 2006, major French student and youth protests have pressured leaders and transformed national politics.

The secrets behind Mali junta’s takeover of Kidal without a fight

The Malian army says it has entered the strategic northern city of Kidal, which was captured around five months ago by Tuareg separatists who announced their withdrawal earlier Tuesday as the military advanced – a symbolic boost to Mali's junta and its Russian backers. In late April, jihadists from Al-Qaeda-linked JNIM and its Tuareg separatist allies kicked off a series of attacks aimed at weakening Mali's junta rulers, including taking control of Kidal and killing the defence minister. FRANCE 24’s Senior journalist Wassim Nasr explains.

Why American artist Mary Cassatt's legacy still resonates in France today

In this edition we're pleased to welcome back Lauren Jimerson to discuss the Mary Cassatt exhibit entitled "The Choice of Independence" that's currently showing at the Musee d'Orsay in Paris. Lauren is an art historian and author, specialising in modern art and women artists. She tells us why Cassatt was a key figure in the Impressionist movement and why this exhibition is so important.

Russia warns against spreading ‘false information’ as reports emerge of second plague case

The World Health Organization joined Western leaders on Wednesday in urging Russia to share more information about what killed a plague institute worker in Siberia as reports emerged of a second suspected case. The Kremlin said Moscow had shared what it knew and accused the media ​of spreading "false information".

China's evolving funeral practices: From traditional burials to cremation

This year, China released new rules for funeral practices. The government is putting an emphasis on affordable and environmentally friendly funeral services. It's part of a decades-long reform to promote cremation. But in a country where burials are deeply rooted in local traditions, how are these attempts to modernise funerals being perceived? FRANCE 24's Yena Lee reports.

'Great moral courage: The French thought they knew de Gaulle and suddenly realized they didn't'

François Picard is pleased to welcome Julian Jackson, British historian, author and, Emeritus Professor of Modern French History at Queen Mary University of London. His biography of General de Gaulle laid the foundation for France's two-part biopic "De Gaulle". And on the heels of this surprise box office hit, Jackson's book is now out in French:. "La Chute: France 1940". He returns to the occupation of Paris and extraordinary collapse of France in the summer of 1940.

October 7: Former Israeli hostage speaks to France 24

“The terrorists pulled us out through the window. They handcuffed me and pushed us into a car that they had brought from Gaza.” Former Israeli hostage Shoshan Haran speaks to France 24.

French parents join school protests to support and protect their children

Widespread protests swept across France on Tuesday over anger at the state of the country's school system. The police responded with tear gas and water canons when some on the fringes of the marches turned violent. Among the demonstrators were parents who came to march alongside their children to support their cause – and, for some, to ensure their children could protest safely. After several teenagers were injured, they feared further clashes.

Three years on, October 7 massacre sites in Israel draw visitors seeking to remember

Three years after the October 7 attack, when Hamas militants killed at least 1,195 people in Israel – mostly civilians – the sites of the massacre near the Gaza border have become heavily visited memorials. They offer Israelis and Jews in the diaspora a place to honour those who were killed, as FRANCE 24’s Stéphane Amar reports.

Three years on, questions remain over what Netanyahu knew before October 7

As Israelis mark the third anniversary of the October 7 Hamas attack, and with elections due later this month, one question keeps resurfacing: What did Benjamin Netanyahu know in the run-up to the attack? The Israeli prime minister has been accused of ignoring repeated warnings – an allegation he denies.

Devastation in Gaza: Three years of war reshape the enclave beyond recognition

Three years ago, the war between Israel and Hamas began. In Gaza, it has meant three years of bombardment that have dramatically transformed the Palestinian territory. Residents of the enclave try to survive the best they can, caught between hope for a better future and resignation.

October 7, hour by hour: How the Hamas attack on Israel unfolded

On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a series of deadly attacks on Israeli towns and military sites near the Gaza border in a massive, coordinated assault. We look back, hour by hour, at how the events unfolded that day and how it has become known as the biggest massacre that the Jewish state has ever seen.

Historic lows expected for French wine harvest after record summer heatwaves

With its wine industry hit by a swathe of summer heatwaves, France is set to see this year's harvest hit a historic low. The total harvest is down 14 percent below the 2021–2025 average, according to estimates published Wednesday by the ministry of agriculture.

'Time doesn't heal': Parents of October 7 attacks victim Aner Shapira

The parents of a 22-year-old Israeli man who was killed when Hamas attacked the Nova music festival on October 7, 2023 have told FRANCE 24 how they can still feel him surrounding them even though he's no longer here. Shira and Moshe Shapira say that time doesn't heal, but they are learning how to live with their loss. Their son Aner managed to throw seven grenades back towards Hamas fighters, before an eight exploded in his hands, killing him. They spoke to us in Perspective.

Three years after October 7 attacks, Israel's economy shows its strength

After shrinking briefly in the aftermath of the October 7, 2023 attacks, Israel's GDP is predicted to grow by 4 percent this year. The country's tech sector – specifically its defence startups – has played a big part in this performance but challenges, notably demographic ones, are on the horizon. Meanwhile, the destruction caused by Israel's war in Gaza has reduced GDP per capita in the Palestinian enclave by 83 percent and reconstruction plans there have yet to begin.

October 7: Israelis mark three years since Hamas attacks

Israel is marking the third anniversary of the October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attack on Wednesday with memorials across the country. At the site of the Nova music festival, where more than 300 people were killed, families gathered at dawn for a moment of silence and paid tribute in front of portraits both of festival-goers and security forces who died on October 7.

France suspends stun grenade use at student protests ahead of PM speech

France has suspended the use of stun grenades by police at student-led demonstrations, the interior minister said Wednesday, as allegations of police brutality mounted after days of sometimes violent demonstrations across the country. Tens of thousands of people took to the streets across France on Tuesday demanding better conditions in high schools. That same evening, President Emmanuel Macron held an emergency meeting with Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu and other key ministers to find a way out of the crisis.

Israeli papers mark October 7 attacks, three years on

PRESS REVIEW – Wednesday, October 7: Papers commemorate the three-year anniversary of the October 7 attacks. But first: the high school protests that have swept across France make the front pages at home and abroad. Also, the Argentinian press waves off Lionel Messi after his last international match. Finally, a British adventurer completes a 28-year walk around the world.

French government scrambles to calm nationwide student protests

The French government is looking to appease protesters after a week of high school student protests that spread across the nation. President Emmanuel Macron held a meeting Monday with his Prime Minister, Interior minister and Education minister in hopes of coming up with a solution to appease the protesters. But despite government efforts to renew dialogue, widespread protests are expected as soon as Thursday.

Paramount wraps up mega Warner Bros merger to create Hollywood powerhouse Skydance

Paramount Skydance completed its blockbuster $110 billion takeover of Warner Bros Discovery on Tuesday, creating a Hollywood heavyweight that hands CEO David Ellison control of one of the world's ​largest entertainment and news businesses. The deal brings together the studios behind "Mission: Impossible," "Harry Potter" and DC Studios alongside major television and streaming networks such as CBS, CNN and HBO Max.

Israel marks three years since Hamas’s October 7 attack

Israel marks the third anniversary of Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack on Wednesday, just weeks before an election in which the deadliest day in the country's history will be front and centre. Memorial events are planned throughout the day to pay tribute to the scores of people killed by militants led by the Islamist movement during their assault from Gaza. For more, FRANCE 24's Stuart Norval is joined by journalist Uri Schneider, reporting from Jerusalem.

Three years since Hamas October 7 attack: What did Netanyahu know?

Israel marked the third anniversary of Hamas's October 7 attack on Wednesday with intense political debate, weeks before elections in which the country's deadliest day will be front and centre. Accusations that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu failed to stop Hamas's October 7 attack have threatened to poison his campaign, particularly since reports emerged suggesting the United Arab Emirates and Egypt had warned him of the imminent danger. FRANCE 24's International Affairs Editor Kethevane Gorjestani tells us more.

Houthis attack Aden airport as fighting intensifies in Yemen

Yemen's Houthis attacked Aden's international airport with ballistic missiles and explosive-laden drones on Wednesday, the country's Transport Ministry said, as fighting between the Iran-aligned group and Saudi-backed government forces intensified. Fighting has been focussed in recent days on areas around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a shipping route that has become more crucial for energy exports since the ​conflict between the ‌US and Iran restricted trade through the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump to speak to Putin on plague as US, UN urge transparency

US President Donald Trump said Tuesday he would speak very soon with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the reported plague death of a laboratory technician, as Washington and the United Nations called for transparency from Moscow. Russian authorities denied that they were imposing anti-plague measures and played down the reports of an incident at a plague research institute in Siberia's Irkutsk region last week.

Cancer cases rising among young people, research finds

New major research has found that cases of several different types of cancer have risen sharply among young people in England, the United States, and the Netherlands. Researchers are not exactly sure why there has been such an increase, but say it could be linked to a growing rate of obesity, poor diets and a lack of exercise.

Nobel Prize in Chemistry awarded to France’s Henri Kagan, Japan’s Kenso Soai

Henri Kagan and Kenso Soai were jointly awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry “for the discovery of ​non-linear ‌effects and ⁠autocatalysis in asymmetric organic synthesis”, the Royal Swedish Academy of

Politkovskaya ‘predicted’ Russia’s turn under Putin, editor says on 20th anniversary of her death

Assassinated Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya "predicted" Moscow's trajectory under President Vladimir Putin 20 years ago,  her former editor said ahead of the anniversary of her death on Wednesday. Politkovskaya had reported on the war in Chechnya and Putin's rise before she was gunned down in her Moscow apartment block on October 7, 2006.

Live: France suspends stun grenade use in school protests after 15-year-old loses hand

The French government has suspended the police use of stun grenades against protesting high school students, the interior minister announced Wednesday, after a teenager had his hand blown off up to the elbow by one fired by police. Eighteen internal probes have been launched in response to allegations of police brutality since the student movement broke out in mid-September. Follow our liveblog for all the latest developments.

At least two killed in fire caused by ‘massive strikes’ on Kyiv

At least two people were killed in a fire in Kyiv after what President Volodymyr Zelensky described as"massive strikes" on the Ukrainian capital on Wednesday. Ukraine has come under increased attack in recent weeks as Russian attacks have targeted energy infrastructure and rail and road transport.

Lionel Messi scores as Argentina beat Benin for his last international game

Lionel Messi played his final match for Argentina, ending in a 3-0 victory over Benin. A full tribute was paid to him before and after the game.

How Netanyahu survived the political fallout from the October 7 attacks

Three years after the deadly Hamas-led October 7 attacks in southern Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is fighting for political survival ahead of legislative elections later this month. Reports that Arab leaders warned him of the assault in advance have undercut his claims that Israel's security chiefs are to blame, but his political base appears to be holding.

Live: Israel marks three years since Hamas’s deadly October 7 attacks

Two missiles launched by Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis targeted Aden's international airport early Wednesday, with no casualties reported, as Israel prepared to mark the third anniversary of the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks. Follow our liveblog for the latest developments.

Israel marks third anniversary of October 7 attack as election looms

Israel will mark the third anniversary of the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Wednesday with memorial events across the country, as heightened security surrounds the commemorations and voters prepare for an election in which the deadliest day in Israel’s history is expected to remain a central issue.

Messi bids farewell to Argentina fans in emotional international finale

Lionel Messi said farewell to Argentina fans Tuesday in an emotional final international appearance, scoring in a 3-0 win over Benin at Buenos Aires' Monumental Stadium as 85,000 supporters celebrated the end of a career that brought the country its long-awaited 2022 World Cup triumph.

Haiti postpones elections indefinitely amid gang violence

Haiti has indefinitely postponed elections scheduled for December and February, the electoral council said Tuesday, citing technical and operational requirements as gang violence continues to disrupt preparations. The delay leaves Haitians without a vote as authorities struggle to register voters and secure areas needed for the poll.

Christa Pike regains consciousness after botched Tennessee execution attempt

Convicted murderer Christa Pike regained consciousness and began speaking Tuesday after surviving a botched execution by lethal injection. Pike, the first woman the state of Tennessee has attempted to put to death in 200 years, remains hospitalised with severe injuries to both arms.

Trump says will speak with Putin over Russia’s reported plague death

US President Donald Trump said Tuesday he would speak “very soon” with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the reported plague death of a laboratory technician, as Washington and the World Health Organization pressed Moscow for greater transparency and clarity over conflicting accounts of the incident in Siberia.

Former German spy chief detained over suspected treasonous espionage

Former German spy chief August Hanning was detained Tuesday on suspicion of treason and espionage after prosecutors accused him of paying for secret intelligence documents and using them to prepare an analysis for a foreign intelligence service, in a case that could strain Berlin’s ties with allied spy agencies.

Kenya reports first-ever Ebola death

In tonight's edition, Kenya records its first Ebola death after a man travelled from the DRC via Uganda. Also, Comoros is tightening the rules on who can do business. In South Africa, concerns are growing that xenophobia and hostility toward foreign nationals could be driving African tourists away.

Cancer rates rising faster among younger people, international study finds

New major research has found that cases of several different kinds of cancer have risen sharply among young people in England, the US, and in the Netherlands. The number of people under the age of 50 diagnosed with prostate cancer in England has quadrupled since 2001. Researchers aren't exactly sure why there's been such an increase but say the broad reason could be linked to a growing rate of obesity, poor diets and a lack of exercise. FRANCE 24's Sharon Gaffney speaks with Jon Shelton, Head of cancer intelligence at Cancer Research UK.

French policeman charged after firing tear gas grenade at high school student

A French policeman was charged Tuesday with violence for firing a tear gas grenade at close range at a 14-year-old student during high school protests that have shaken the country. Speaking with FRANCE

Russian lab worker's death sparks plague fears as unverified claims spread online

The death of a 28-year-old Russian lab worker at Siberia's Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute has sparked online panic about a "plague, despite the WHO assessing the public health risk in Russia as low. Unverified claims about how the worker became ill, including a laboratory accident involving a test tube, are circulating online. Misleading posts and out-of-context videos have also fuelled speculation and fear. Vedika Bahl goes through them, and what we know, in Truth or Fake.

How much does France spend on education?

Protests have been gripping France with students demanding better learning conditions and more equal opportunities. The education ministry is among the few that have been granted an increase in next year's draft budgets, but critics say it still doesn't catch up with inflation.  We take a closer look.  Plus, OpenAI has apologised to Australia over its handling of government website hacks by a rogue AI agent in June.

Police make seventh arrest over UK airbase incident

A seventh man was arrested Tuesday over a major incident last month at a British military airbase used by the United States to launch strikes on Iran, police said. The arrest came a day after President Donald Trump said the United States had withdrawn all B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford because of "threats" he believed were linked to Tehran. A 22-year-old British male was arrested in London "on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts", Britain's Counter-Terrorism Policing network said in a statement.

Calls to block social media platforms for minors in France amid school protests

One factor accelerating these student protest is social media, and its being boosted even more by artificial intelligence. Some French mayors have even called for social media platforms to be temporarily blocked for minors. Our colleauges at France 2 took a look at the impact

German ex-spy chief arrested for suspected espionage, treason

A former German spy chief was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of espionage and treason, an embarrassing case at a time when the country is seeking to broaden the powers of its intelligence agencies. August Hanning, who ran Germany's BND foreign intelligence agency from 1998 to 2005, is accused of espionage, treason and working for foreign intelligence services, federal prosecutors said. FRANCE 24's Nick Holdsworth reports from Berlin.

‘We’re fed up’: Paris students rise up in a movement that shows no sign of slowing

Hundreds of thousands of students and their supporters took part in nationwide protests across France on Tuesday after weeks of student barricades protesting school conditions.

Students, unions and teachers in mass movement to demand better learning conditions

A quarter of a million demonstrators took to the streets across France on Tuesday as unions and teachers joined high school students demanding better learning conditions in protests that later descended into sporadic clashes with security forces. A French policeman was on Tuesday charged with violence over the firing of a tear gas grenade last week at close range at a 14-year-old student during the high school protests that have shaken the country, the prosecutor said.

France erupts overs schools: Why the violence surrounding surprise movement?

It’s a protest movement that a broke, lame-duck French government did not see coming. Civil servants this Tuesday joining high schoolers now in their third week of picketing over long-deteriorating classroom conditions. The usual recipe for wearing down movements in France has recently been to match eventual violence with a heavy hand, the escalation turning the silent majority against the protesters as was the case with the pre-Covid Yellow Vests movement.

‘Colossal failure: Death penalty system in America is a broken process from start to finish’

Jean-Emile Jammine is pleased to welcome Reed Brody, international human rights lawyer and former New York assistant attorney general. According to Brody, the botched execution of Christa Pike reflects a much larger problem: the relationship between capital punishment, institutional failure, due process, and human dignity.

Brazil ‘has moved to the right progressively over the last two decades’, expert says

Senator Flavio Bolsonaro received on Monday endorsements ​from Ronaldo Caiado and Romeu Zema, two right-wing politicians who ran against him in Sunday's first-round vote, ​for ‌the runoff against President Luiz ⁠Inacio Lula da Silva later this month.

Paramount completes takeover of Warner Bros, creating media behemoth Skydance

Paramount completed its acquisition of Warner Bros Discover on Tuesday, after a bidding war against Netflix. The deal closed following federal approval of a settlement between Paramount and 12 US states that tried to block the transaction on antitrust grounds. Opponents in the movie industry warned of job cuts, while media groups said Warner-owned CNN's independence could be compromised.

Tens of thousands demand better education in demonstrations across France

Tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets across France on Tuesday, as unions and teachers joined high school students who for days have been demanding better learning conditions in protests punctuated by violent confrontations.

Norway eyes temporary ban of smart glasses

Norway's government said Monday it wants a temporary ban on the use of smart glasses in certain public places, citing privacy concerns, notably recording images without the knowledge of those filmed. The ban could apply to parks, beaches, museums, shopping centres, schools, daycare centres, healthcare facilities, gyms and public events.

‘Tense’ atmosphere as tens of thousands join French student protests

Police fired tear gas at ​protesters blockading French high schools on Tuesday as students, teachers and parents took to the streets on the biggest day of action in a wave of demonstrations against understaffed and dilapidated classrooms. Reporting from a march in Paris, France 24's Claire Paccalin says that the demonstration there has been peaceful so far, though the atmosphere is "tense" with a "heavy police presence".

Ukraine fires nearly 900 drones at Russia, says Moscow

Russian air defenses intercepted nearly 900 Ukrainian drones overnight over multiple regions of the country, as well as the occupied Crimean Peninsula and the Sea of Azov, the Defense Ministry in Moscow said Tuesday. If the figures accurate, it would make it one of the largest Ukrainian drone strikes on Russia since the start of the war, says France 24's correspondent Gulliver Cragg.

Paris Fashion Week: Nicole Kidman, Dua Lipa and Rihanna light up the front row

Paris is once again the centre of planet fashion, as the spring-summer 2027 collections take over the catwalks. Simon Moritz takes us through the big hitters, starting with Matthieu Blazy’s exploration of the different women who made up Gabrielle Chanel, as he goes from strength to strength at the prestigious fashion house. We also discuss the comings and goings at YSL, Balenciaga and Dior, and meet Lithuanian designer Juozas Statkevicius as he puts his national heritage in the spotlight.

Kenya reports first-ever Ebola death after patient returns from DR Congo

Kenya on Tuesday reported its first-ever Ebola death after a Kenyan national who had been living in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) died after returning to the country. Kenya is the fourth country to record an Ebola case in the current outbreak, which was declared in eastern DR Congo in mid-May.

'We were naive' about Hamas, Israeli ex-hostage Shoshan Haran says

In an interview with FRANCE 24, Israeli former hostage Shoshan Haran said "we were naive" about Hamas before the October 7, 2023 attack on her kibbutz. Held in Gaza for 50 days, she recalled refusing to "show weakness" to her captors. She also called the accusations of genocide against Israel "a lie" and shared her late husband's last words.

French students looking for protests ‘to become a major movement’

Tens of thousands of demonstrators marched in cities across France on Tuesday in support of protests by school pupils demanding more education funding, increasing pressure on the government of outgoing President Emmanuel Macron. With teachers and trade unions joining the march, the students are seeking to turn the protests into a "major social movement" to increase pressure on the government, says France 24's Marc Perelman.

‘Busification’: Inside Ukraine’s controversial recruitment practices

Recent reports and videos of alleged recruitment irregularities are fuelling tensions between mobilisation authorities and Ukrainian society, while raising questions about the oversight and implementation of military recruitment.

French students: What do they want?

We take a look at what exactly French high school students are demanding in their nationwide blockades. From crumbling buildings, to absent teachers who are not replaced, to applying to university, we take a look at what has created so much anger among French teens. We also draw parallels between this movement and that of the Yellow Vests.

Ethiopia ‘fears Tigray conflict could get out of control’

Airstrikes and artillery fire rocked northern Ethiopia's Tigray region overnight into Monday, aid sources said, in clashes between federal government and rebel forces that have raised fears of wider fighting. France 24's Philip Turle says that the Ethiopian government is pushing into Tigray territory amid fears the conflict "could get out of control".

Ukrainian drones kill two, hit fuel hub in one of biggest attacks on Moscow region

Ukrainian ​drones killed two people and hit a major fuel depot overnight in one of the biggest attacks of ​the war on Moscow and the surrounding region. France 24's Rochelle Ferguson Bouyahi has the details.

India opposition parties rally for election chief’s exit over voter list changes

Opposition parties held protests in India’s capital New Delhi on Tuesday, demanding the resignation of the country’s election chief over a contentious revision of voter lists as hundreds of police personnel were deployed across the heart of the city. Tuesday’s demonstration is the latest in a series of near-daily protests beginning last week by student groups, opposition parties and India's “Cockroach” youth movement.

Separatists win Quebec election with promise to hold vote on independence

A separatist party narrowly won Quebec's election on Monday, a result that could make it tougher for Prime Minister Mark Carney to maintain national unity against U.S. President Donald Trump. Provisional results showed the province of 9 million had opted for the Parti Quebecois of Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, which is promising to hold a referendum on breaking ⁠from Canada once Trump leaves office.

'They Stole a City' author Lauren Collins on how Wilmington coup was 'covered up'

The author of a new book that tells the story of a White supremacist coup in her hometown of Wilmington, North Carolina has spoken to FRANCE 24 about how those involved and the authorities covered up the event for years. The coup happened back in 1898, but was never mentioned in local schools even when she was a pupil. Lauren Collins is currently living in Paris, where she is a staff journalist for The New Yorker. She spoke to us in Perspective about her book, "They Stole a City".

‘Heavy police presence’ as students set to march in Paris

A major march is set to depart from central Paris this afternoon as French students continue their protests classroom conditions. With previous protests marred by violence, France 24’s Claire Paccalin reports that there is already a heave police presence in central Paris as the marchers prepare to get underway.

Mexico makes push for fracking despite environmental concerns

Following months of consultations with energy experts, Mexico is preparing to tap its shale oil and gas reserves using one of the world's most controversial extraction techniques: fracking. The process is already used to extract oil in the southeastern state of Veracruz, where local communities have long complained of pollution and environmental damage. But the administration of President Claudia Sheinbaum is seeking to reduce Mexico's reliance on the United States and – eventually – achieve energy self-sufficiency.

🔴 UK police arrest 22-year-old Briton in suspected Fairford base plot

UK ​police on Tuesday said they had ​arrested ‌a ⁠22-year ‌old British man ⁠in London on suspicion ​of preparing terrorist acts ‌in relation ​to the suspected plot at the ​RAF ​Fairford ​airbase used ​by

Tigray students relocated by conflict say fled forced conscription

Due to the ongoing fighting in Ethiopia's Tigray region, some 5,000 students who asked to be relocated are now starting the academic year far from home. Some say back home they faced forced conscription to fight for a cause they didn't believe in. Tom Canetti has more.

Students protest Cornell’s response to gang rape complaint

Students at Cornell University staged an anti-rape protest on Monday and to voice their solidarity with ‘Jane Doe’ - the former student who was allegedly ganged raped after consuming drugs and alcohol at a frat house two years ago. Demonstrators called for an inquiry into how the university has handles the matter.

France school protests: Students determined to win ‘concessions that mean something’

Thousands of demonstrators were massing under heavy police surveillance across France on Tuesday, as unions and teachers joined high school students who for days have been demanding better conditions in protests punctuated by violent confrontations. France 24's Luke Shrago reports from outside a Paris high school where he says students he has spoken too remained determined to win concessions from the government.

US payroll data shows young workers' jobs most affected by artificial intelligence

In August, US employment in roles most exposed to AI for people aged between 22 and 25 shrank by 4.4 percent year-on-year. This means there's been a contraction every single month since October 2023, about a year after ChatGPT was first released. The high impact of AI on younger workers is one of the key trends emerging from the Canaries Dashboard, a project led by the Stanford Digital Economy Lab and ADP Research. We spoke to ADP Research's Chief Economist Nela Richardson in our Business segment.

Should we be worried about a plague outbreak in Russia?

PRESS REVIEW – Tuesday, October 6: The death of a researcher in Siberia, reportedly from the plague, sparks concern despite Russian authorities' denial. But first: French high school protesters are promising "Act 3" of their protest movement against learning conditions. Also, Le Monde speaks to the editor of Russian independent outlet Novaya Gazeta ahead of the 20th anniversary of the murder of investigative journalist Anna Politkovskaya. Finally, it appears that butter is back in fashion.

Bulgaria searches for missing crew as drones hit two Black Sea ships

Bulgarian authorities on Tuesday launched a search for missing crew members of a boat that sank in its economic zone in the Black Sea after drones hit two merchant vessels. Black Sea shipping has been hit by growing fallout from the war in Ukraine in recent months.

Yemen’s Houthis claim attack on Riyadh airport

Yemen's Houthis claimed an attack on the main airport in the Saudi capital while also denying on Tuesday losing territory to government forces, as fighting intensified. After declaring a counter-offensive, government forces claimed Monday to have pushed the Houthis out of the Bab al-Mandab area, a key shipping route in the Red Sea, as well as the port city of Mocha, which was captured last month.

Priceless book designed by Dali stolen in France

A book designed by Spanish surrealist painter Salvador Dali was stolen from an art museum in central France, prosecutors said on Monday. The "Book of the Apocalypse", featuring a cover made of bronze, was taken from the contemporary art centre in the town of Issoire, the prosecutor's office in the city of Clermont-Ferrand said, describing the piece as "highly valuable".

Trump’s deportation push sees LGBT migrants sent to hostile countries

Donald Trump's immigration crackdown has led to a controversial practice: deporting tens of thousands of asylum seekers to third countries. Among the most vulnerable are LGBT migrants, who are being sent to African countries where homosexuality is a crime. Maya-Anaïs Yataghène has the story.

As students protest, how dilapidated really are France’s school buildings?

As France's student protest movement continues, one of the main grievances is the conditions of the country’s schools, with many buildings severely dilapidated and in some cases, facing dangerous risks. The issue became all the more apparent over the summer, when France experienced record-breaking heatwaves. Many classrooms were simply not designed to cope with such extreme temperatures. And regional authorities, which have responsibility for their maintenance, are facing a tough task upgrading school buildings as Oliver Farry reports.

Japan holds first ‘competitive sleeping’ contest

Sleep deprivation is seen these days as a major health issue - not least of all in Japan where people sleep less on average than in any other OECD country. Now, a new contest for "competitive sleepers" is hoping to encourage people to snooze for longer. The Tokyo competition, dubbed "Matt Race", saw dozens of participants fitted with sleep tracking devices sprawl on comfy mattresses to slumber for up to 90 minutes Monday, competing for the top prize of over two million yen ($14,000).

Le Pen vows to save €140 billion by 2032 if elected to prevent French ‘default’

Far-right leader Marine Le Pen said she would make drastic savings to bring France's public deficit back in line if she wins next year's presidential election. The government forecasts the national debt will hit 5.4 percent this year despite the EU setting a 3 percent limit for member states.

Nobel Prize in Physics awarded to Francis Halzen for ice research

Scientist Francis Halzen won the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physics for work on subatomic particles at the South Pole, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in Stockholm announced on Tuesday.

Macron observes test of new nuclear-capable missile without warhead

French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday observed the test firing of a new nuclear-capable missile without a warhead, according to the Elysée Palace and the Ministry of Defence.

At least 6 dead as Russia strikes Ukraine’s Kharkiv

At least 6 people have been killed in Ukraine's northeastern city of Kharkiv after a Russian strike hit a residential area. Nearly 60 were injured and apartments destroyed. Elsewhere, a Russian drone struck an apartment building in the southern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia. Morgan Ayre has the details.

Cornell students stage anti-rape rally in support of ‘Jane Doe’

Cornell University students staged a mass rally on Monday voicing solidarity with a classmate whose gang-rape allegations have ignited a national uproar and demanding that the Ivy League school take firmer action against sexual violence on campus. France 24s Kethavan Gorjestani takes a closer look.

Israel warns Gazans will pay ‘heavy price’ for any October 7 attacks on military

Israel on Tuesday said that Hamas and the Palestinian population in Gaza would pay a "heavy price" if any of Israel's armed forces were harmed on the three-year anniversary of the militant group's October 7 attack.

Live: Tens of thousands expected at Paris protests as unions join students

Tens of thousands of people are expected to march in Paris on Tuesday as French trade unions join high school students protesting conditions in schools. The demonstrations have been marked by clashes with police, injuries and arrests, with authorities expecting up to 40,000 protesters in the capital as unrest spreads across the country. Follow our liveblog for the latest updates.

US to execute 2009 Fort Hood shooter Nidal Hasan by firing squad

President Donald Trump approved a firing-squad execution on Monday for Nidal Hasan, the US Army psychiatrist convicted of killing 13 people at Fort Hood in 2009. Hasan's execution will be the first carried out by the US military since 1961, with the date and location yet to be set by the Army.

Switching on brain cells: the Nobel-winning science of optogenetics

The Nobel medicine prize was awarded Monday to US psychiatrist and neurologist Karl Deisseroth and German scientists Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel for their pioneering work in the neuroscience field of optogenetics. In optogenetics, scientists control neurones by stimulating them with light -- potentially unlocking breakthroughs for conditions such as dementia, depression and blindness. FRANCE 24's Monte Francis reports.

Quebec votes as separatist surge poses test for Canada PM

Quebec separatists eyed a return to power in Canada's majority French-speaking province Monday in an election that could test Prime Minister Mark Carney's message of national unity to confront the United States. Carney is popular in Quebec, and the possible success of the separatist Parti Quebecois (PQ) is not seen as a repudiation of his stance toward President Donald Trump, whose trade war and annexation threats have infuriated Canadians. FRANCE 24's Christopher Guly reports from Ottawa.

New York declares statewide disaster emergency as measles cases rise

New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a statewide disaster emergency on Monday as a measles outbreak spreads through under-immunised rural communities, with 108 cases reported this year. The order expands who can administer MMR vaccines and comes as neighbouring Pennsylvania battles an outbreak that has killed five people.

Euro falls to 17-month low against the USD on French debt concerns

The euro has stumbled to a 17-month low against the US dollar on concern about France's ability to bring its public finances in order.  The currency has fallen nearly 7% from its peak in late January.  Meanwhile, global oil prices fell despite ongoing tensions around the Arabian Peninsula, after the G7 agreed to release up to 100 million barrels from strategic reserves and oil flows from the Persian Gulf have returned to pre-war levels.

Concerns of US interference weigh on Brazil vote

Conservative Senator Flavio Bolsonaro pulled off a surprise on Sunday in the first round of Brazil’s presidential election by finishing ahead of the incumbent left-wing President Lula, whom he will face in the runoff on October 25. Suspicions of U.S. interference have been hanging over the campaign, even as Donald Trump has never hidden his closeness to the far-right former president Bolsonaro - Flavio’s father - and his animosity toward Lula da Silva. FRANCE 24's Emerald Maxwell reports.

Ethiopia again demands access to the Red Sea

In tonight's edition, Ethiopia's leader Abiy Ahmed secures another term, but his country is sliding back into conflict. Also, several major cities across Senegal are battered by torrential rains. And some of the migrants being deported from the US fear the return to countries criminalizing homosexuality.

Indian alleged mastermind of online child abuse ring goes on trial in Paris

Rohan Rane, an Indian national who came to France to study before becoming a fitness coach, went on trial on Monday behind closed doors in Paris, on charges of torture and acts of barbarity against minors. Investigators say he is the leader of a neo-Nazi child exploitation ring that ran its operations via messaging platform Discord.

‘France has fallen’: Far-right figures fuel Islamophobic claims with false student protest videos

France’s student protests have become the target of a wave of false and misleading videos shared by far-right figures, including Alex Jones and Tommy Robinson. Old footage and unrelated videos have been shared to portray the demonstrations as evidence of an “anti-white” or Islamist uprising linked to uncontrolled immigration. The protests are over school conditions, including large class sizes, teacher shortages and poor facilities, not immigration. Vedika Bahl fact-checks in Truth or Fake.

‘We are effectively maiming young people’ - expert questions France’s response to student protests

A 15-year-old lost a hand on Monday picking up a police grenade amid nationwide school protests demanding better funding and classroom conditions. Speaking with FRANCE 24's Mark Owen, Ariane Bogain, Senior Lecturer in French Politics at Northumbria University, says that "there is a definite issue with violence and we need to ask why there is this unidimensional reaction which is aggressive, which is riot police, which is repressive".

Russian officials say ‘situation under control’ after plague reports

Moscow on Monday downplayed reports that a laboratory technician had died of plague, stressing that post-mortem tests had not detected the disease, while Washington said it was closely monitoring the situation. Reports on Friday that plague had killed a 28-year-old woman named Darya Shipilova, who had been working for the anti-plague institute in Siberia's Irkutsk region, sparked alarm. FRANCE 24's August Hakansson reports.

Saudi-backed Yemeni forces expel the Houthis from several areas around key strait, officials say

Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces staged a lightning advance on ​Monday to retake the coast around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait up to the city of Mocha, the government said, pushing the Iran-backed Houthis out of most of the areas they seized last month. FRANCE 24's Monte Francis reports.

Return of the Bolsonaros: Why the far-right surge in Brazilian elections?

Do voters care about attempted coups? Brazil's Flavio Bolsonaro on the cusp of unseating Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in the October 25th presidential runoff, Bolsonaro whose father was jailed over the Brazilian version of the January 6th storming of the US Capitol. Up and down the ballot, there are other Bolsonaros elected in the first round as the far-right surges. Is it about incumbent fatigue? Do Brazilians subscribe to Bolsonaro’s "God, Homeland, Family" mantra?

France, Germany seek new EU rapid response tool against trade threats

France and Germany proposed a new legal tool to enable the EU to respond rapidly to trade wars or measures, such as dumping, that could economically harm the bloc. While French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the proposal was not a direct response to the actions of any particular country, it came days before EU Chief Ursula von der Leyen visits China to tackle trade fictions.

ICC unseals arrest warrants for Taliban education ministers

Separatists win Quebec election with pledge to vote on leaving Canada

The separatist Parti Quebecois won provincial elections on Monday with a pledge to organise a referendum on whether the French-speaking province will leave Canada. The victory comes just two weeks ahead of a vote in Alberta, Canada's economic powerhouse, on whether it wants to begin the process of leaving the country.

French high school students predict escalation of protests

Lessons were suspended at hundreds of French high schools on Monday, as part of a wave of student protests over learning conditions that have rocked the European nation. Larger demonstrations are expected on Tuesday.

ISIS suspects face ‘outsourced’ justice in Iraq as HRW warns of ‘collective global detention crisis’

Erin Ogunkeye is pleased to welcome Letta Tayler, Senior Counterterrorism Advisor at Human Rights Watch. She warns of the detention of suspected Islamic State members transferred from northeast Syria to Iraq as part of a much wider "global detention crisis". The men and boys now held in Iraq are living in 'dire' conditions, including deaths from illness, allegations of torture, and serious questions surrounding access to effective legal representation.

How Lula’s successes in Brazil may have paved the way for his presidential defeat

Brazil’s veteran leftist President Luiz Inacio "Lula" da Silva trailed Flavio Bolsonaro, the son of his far-right predecessor, in the first-round presidential vote on Sunday. Some analysts suggest that the sweeping anti-poverty measures Lula put in place over two decades may have helped give rise to a growing lower-middle class drawn to the far right’s promise to get the government out of people’s lives.

7.4 million visitors, 6.7 million litres of beer: Oktoberfest comes to an end

Germany's famous celebration of autumn and beer, Oktoberfest, wrapped up this weekend withthis year saw record attendence with 7.4 million visitors descending on the festival. The majority of attendees came from within Germany, with Americans, Italians and Austrians topping the numbers for foreign visitors

French school protests continue with larger demonstrations set for Tuesday

Lessons were suspended at hundreds of French high schools on Monday, as part of a wave of student protest over learning conditions that have rocked the country. An even larger day of demonstrations is expected on Tuesday.

‘I could feel the petrol dripping’: The violent attacks that have marred France school protests

Between 400-500 schools across France are expected to stay closed this Monday, as student protests continue. Pupils are calling for smaller class sizes and better equipped classrooms. More than 70 schoolteachers have been injured since the unrest began. Ellen Gainsford & France 2 take a look at some of the violent incidents related to the protests.

Yemen government forces announce offensive on Houthi-held territory

The internationally recognised Yemeni government announced on Sunday the launch of an offensive ‌to recapture territory held by Houthi rebels, with President Rashad al-Alimi swearing to fight "until the country is liberated from the grip of the terrorist militia".

Trump names head of new ‘Super Intelligence Force’ to oversee AI

US President Donald Trump said on Sunday he had named Director of National Intelligence ​Jay Clayton the ‌administration's AI czar, tasking him with coordinating the federal government's efforts to maintain ⁠US leadership in the technology. Trump, who has pushed to rename artificial intelligence as "super intelligence," said Clayton would head the newly created Super Intelligence Force (SIF).

Frenchwoman buys elephants from abusive owners in Laos

Once known as "The Land of a Million Elephants", only an estimated 800 elephants remain in Laos, as deforestation and exploitation push the species closer than ever to the brink of extinction. Despite the dwindling numbers, a Frenchwoman has made it her mission to give ageing elephants a new home, buying them from their abusive owners. Our France 2 colleagues report, with FRANCE 24's Andrew Hilliar.

Sulaf and Late Again on uprooting and reconnecting with their heritage

This week, Marjorie Hache has the pleasure of sitting down with Sudan's Sulaf, who is releasing her debut album "Aba", a poetic exploration of traditional Sudanese music with a contemporary twist and which she recorded in Paris where she has been living in exile since 2022.

Macron slams Russia’s ‘irresponsible’ strikes on Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure

French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday slammed Russia's increased strikes on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure. In a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Macron said he reviewed "the concrete support" Europe can provide Ukraine to defend itself against the attacks.

Spain: ‘Mini-hurricane’ kills at least two people in Catalonia

Two people have ⁠died and ​another is missing after heavy rains and flooding in Spain's ​Catalonia region, authorities said on Sunday.

Trump heads to Nebraska as Republicans fear strongholds could flip

US President ​Donald Trump will visit Nebraska on Monday to rally Republicans and promote his economic ​record, taking his message of new investment and manufacturing to a state where farmers and truckers face sharply higher diesel prices and voters worry about inflation. His stop in ​the ‌city of Grand Island is part of Trump's 32-day ⁠sprint to the November 3 midterm elections, a campaign in which he is spending considerable time in ‌Republican strongholds.

France high school protests: Can the government regain control?

Up to 500 schools are expected to be totally or partially closed in France as student protests continue to rock the country. The demonstrations, which have been going on for over two weeks, have spread nationwide and are set to continue and the unrest appears to have caught the Macron government off guard. The protests have confronted French security forces with a daunting task, and the situation is likely to feature at this week's cabinet meeting, where the interior and justice minister will warn that there are few police resources to deploy.

Japan bids farewell to Asian Games after fortnight of turmoil and records

The 20th Asian Games closed on Sunday after a rocky fortnight lit ​up by youthful brilliance in the sporting arenas but tempered by logistical dysfunction and subdued public interest. Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) President Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani declared the Games closed at Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium, with the torch handed to organisers of the next event in Doha 2030.

US bombers leave UK air base amid ‘new threats’: What we know so far

The United States confirmed that it had withdrawn all B-1 bombers from the British airbase of RAF Fairford, reportedly due to "new threats," with Britain's government insisting Monday the site is safe. France 24's Philip Turle takes a look at what we know so far.

Ethiopian govt retakes Tigray capital as rebels pull out

Pro-government forces have regained control of the capital of Tigray, they said on Sunday, dealing a major setback to the opposition alliance that rules the ​northern Ethiopian region.

‘Very bad result for Lula: Bolsonaro is far more effective at speaking to that growing middle class’

Eve Irvine is pleased to welcome Felipe Krause, the head of Oxford University's Brazilian Studies Programme. Brazil's election reflects a political landscape that has become increasingly polarized, explains Krause. And he describes the current mood as one of “tired polarization: People are just exhausted. They feel that the political class is just kind of offering more of the same". The first round reveals a significant consolidation of the Brazilian right in government.

Brazil presidential election: 'Bolsonaro being ahead is a surprise,' researcher says

Far-right candidate Flavio Bolsonaro has pulled off a surprise win in the first round of Brazil’s presidential election. He defied most polls to win with 47 percent, compared to 45 percent for leftist incumbent Luiz Inacio Lula de Silva. We spoke to Thomas Zicman de Barros, a research fellow at CEVIPOF, the political research centre at Sciences Po University, and columnist for our sister radio station RFI. He told us that never before in Brazilian history has a candidate who was behind in the first round then succeeded in the second.

Mountaineer takes cancer research and quality of life to new heights... 8,000 metres, to be precise!

Delano D’Souza is pleased to welcome Dr Shauna Burke, Associate Professor in Exercise and Health Psychology at the University of Leeds. A passionate mountaineer who first summited Mount Everest in 2005, Dr Burke returned to the world’s highest mountain earlier this year, following her diagnosis with stage four breast cancer. She is now setting her sights on the world's 13 other 8,000-metre peaks. For Dr Burke, the mountains are more than a backdrop to an extraordinary personal challenge. “When I’m in the mountains, I do feel at peace.

Indian police detain demonstrators as protests over voter roll revision intensify

Thousands of youth protesters and opposition supporters rallied in Delhi and Mumbai on Sunday to demand the resignation of India's election commission chief over changes to ​voter rolls as ‌police detained some demonstrators for a third day.

Trump names Jay Clayton as AI czar to lead 'Super Intelligence Force'

US President Donald Trump has named his National Intelligence Director Jay Clayton as America's "Super Intelligence" czar, as fears over AI grow. Also, oil markets react to Houthi attacks as well as export data, and France's fiscal woes drive the euro to a 17-month low.

Messi set for final emotional farewell in Argentina send-off

When Lionel Messi takes to the pitch on Tuesday for his final appearance for Argentina, it will bring an end to a journey that started with football authorities not even knowing his name and evolved into one of the most enduring relationships in sporting history. After announcing his retirement from international football earlier this month, the 39-year-old departs with a string of accolades to his name, including captaining Argentina to World Cup glory in 2022.

US withdraws all bombers from UK base at centre of suspected terror attack

The United States has removed its B-1 bombers from a British air base one week after five men were arrested nearby on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts, a ‌suspected plot that British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said was likely backed by Iran. The planes had been ⁠stationed at RAF Fairford, which had recently been used for US strikes on Iran.

Britain’s Green Party votes to class Zionism as a form of racism

Britain's Green Party voted on Sunday to class Zionism as a form of racism, drawing criticism from British Jews and from the Israeli government which said it now ​viewed the party ‌as "a body that gives legitimacy to terrorism".

Nobel Prize in Medicine jointly awarded to ​Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann ​and Georg Nagel

The Nobel Prize in Medicine was awarded Monday to Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel for their research into light-gated ion channels and optogenetics. The prize money this year is 12 million Swedish kronor (about $1.2 million).

Brazil heads to run-off as Bolsonaro pulls off shock first place finish in first round

Right-wing senator Flavio Bolsonaro and son of former president Jair Bolsonaro pulled off a surprise first-place finish ahead of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in Brazil’s election Sunday. However, with neither candidate securing a majority the vote now heads to a run-off in three weeks.

Yemen’s government declares major operation against Houthis

The Yemeni military announced a broad set of strikes against Houthi targets on Monday, after the government declared a new campaign to retake all territory even as the Iran-backed group made fresh gains on the ground. France 24's Kethevane Gorjestani takes a look at the reasons behind this latest escalation in the long-running conflict.

Schools shuttered as student protests sweep through France

The high school protest movement that's erupted over the past week here in France is showing no signs of slowing down. Demonstrations have raged at more than 1,200 high schools, and more than 5,000 people – most of them minors – have been arrested. Students are furious at what they say is a chronic lack of funding for state schools, with that anger exacerbated by accusations that state resources are unfairly distributed, with richer and whiter postcodes historically receiving the lion's share of funds.

Up to 500 French schools to be closed Monday as protests continue

Up to 500 French high ⁠schools will begin a second week of total or partial closures on Monday as protests over dilapidated schools and classrooms, overcrowding and teacher shortages precede a nationwide day of demonstrations on Tuesday. Reporting from outside a high school in the Paris suburb of Aubervilliers, France 24's Luke Shrago says things are relatively calm as of early Monday morning as students seek to rebuild the momentum of last week’s protests following a weekend lull.

Bolsonaro in ‘very strong position’ as Brazil election heads to run-off

Right-wing senator Flavio Bolsonaro pulled off a surprise first-place finish ahead of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in Sunday's election, which heads to a run-off in three weeks as neither clinched a majority. However, with Bolsonaro gaining 47 percent of the ballet to Lula’s 45 percent, he is in a “very strong position” heading into the decisive vote, says France 24’s correspondent Time Vickery.

Spanish PM Sanchez calls snap election amid housing crisis

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called ⁠an early election ​for November 29 on Monday, in a bid to strengthen his mandate after a fragmented parliament rejected the government's key housing decrees last week amid widespread protests. France 24's correspondent in Madrid Sarah Morris has the deetails.

Ex-prince Andrew launches bid to ‘quash’ Epstein-affair search warrants

Britain's disgraced former prince, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, filed a legal action on Monday to quash warrants that led to searches of his residences. The police arrested the 66-year-old on February 19 on suspicion of misconduct over his links to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Yemen, Saudi Arabia launch new strikes against Houthis in bid to retake lost territory

The Yemeni military announced on Monday that it will launch a broad set of strikes against Iran-backed Houthi targets in an attempt to retake lost territory. The Houthis launched an offensive in September, which killed hundreds of combatants on both sides, according to UN figures, and has since become the most active front in the wider Middle East war.

"Mum if you see this it's for my future"

PRESS REVIEW: Monday, 5 October – more than 400 schools closed on Monday across France, as government fails to assuage the anger of protesting students. In other news, Boulder, Colorado takes on ExxonMobil and Suncor Energy, demanding billions for damage caused by wildfires. And, finally, we take a look at some of nature's most whimsical offerings.

🔴Spanish PM Sanchez calls snap election for November 29

Spanish ​Prime ​Minister ​Pedro Sanchez on Monday called an early ​election ‌for ‌November ​29. Facing the electorate now could be risky, as Sanchez’s Socialist Party is trailing in opinion polls.

Family members of jailed ex-president Jair Bolsonaro win big in multiple Brazil polls

Family members of former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro won big in Sunday's general election, including the right-wing lawmaker's eldest son Flavio Bolsonaro, who surpassed President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in the first-round presidential vote. During the campaign, Flavio Bolsonaro promised to secure amnesty for his jailed father.

Nations League: France face Belgium as they battle for top spot in group A

France face Belgium in the fourth and last Nations League game this international break. France already beat Belgium on September 28 in Matchday 2 (1-0).

Live: Student protests disrupt at least 413 schools in France

Up to 500 schools are expected to close across France on Monday as student protests continue, according to the country's Education Minister Édouard Geffray. The protests over high teacher absence rates, overlong school days and dilapidated facilities began at a Paris school on September 17 but grew into a nationwide movement last week. Follow our liveblog for the latest updates.

Rubio visits Iceland as US boosts Arctic presence after Greenland security pact

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to travel to Iceland on Monday, two weeks after Washington sealed a security pact with Denmark and Greenland on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. Rubio will meet with officials in Reykjavik "to discuss economic and security collaboration", according to a statement by the US State Department.

Brazil presidential election heads to runoff as Bolsonaro leads Lula

Brazilians voted Sunday in a high-stakes presidential election pitting incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva against Senator Flávio Bolsonaro amid a regional shift to the right. Bolsonaro is the son of jailed former president Jair Bolsonaro. A runoff will take place October 25 if no candidate wins an outright majority.

Pacific leaders urge climate action as UN pre-COP talks open in Fiji

Pacific leaders urged action on climate change as UN pre-COP talks opened in Fiji's Nadi on Monday, ahead of next month's COP31 summit in Turkey. Discussions in Fiji and Tuvalu will focus on limiting warming to 1.5C, improving access to climate finance and protecting oceans as rising seas threaten communities.

US withdraws all B-1 bombers from British military base RAF Fairford

The Pentagon confirmed on Sunday that all US B-1 bombers deployed to Britain’s RAF Fairford had returned home following a security incident that prompted nearby evacuations. Police found no explosives after reports of suspicious activity at the base last Sunday. Five London-based British men arrested were subsequently released on bail.

Iran says no military solution to war as peace talks with US stall

Iran's diplomat said on Sunday there was no military solution to the US war against Iran as peace talks appeared stalled. Washington has scaled back attacks in favour of economic pressure, while Iran's attempted Hormuz blockade remains contentious. A UK maritime agency reported another tanker hit by an unidentified projectile.

A Profile of Brazil's Potential President

France 24's Gavin Lee speaks to Brazil analyst Henrique Tavares Furtado about how Flavio Bolsonaro is pledging to reshape the country, and asks: who is the man behind the political persona?

Brazil heads to the polls for high-stakes election between Lula and Flavio Bolsonaro

Brazilians began casting their votes on Sunday in a closely watch presidential election pitting incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva against right-wing Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, son of former president Jair Bolsonaro. Nearly 160 million voters will also pick lawmakers, senators and governors in an election that will determine whether Latin America's biggest nation follows a regional swing to the right championed by US President Donald Trump. France24 International affairs commentator Douglas Herbert shares further insights.

Evenepoel snatches photo-finish win to clinch European road cycling crown

Belgium's Olympic road racing champion Remco Evenepoel took the European championship title on Sunday after outsprinting Italy's Giulio Ciccone in a tight photo finish, just weeks after narrowly missing out on the world championship crown.

Woman at centre of Cornell gang rape lawsuit targeted with threats, lawyer says

The woman who alleged that she was drugged and raped by seven male students at a Cornell University fraternity house has been the target of threats, her lawyer told CNN on Sunday. Cornell's president earlier voiced support for an external review of the Ivy League institution facing widespread outcry over its handling of the case.

German Chancellor in Kyiv: “Ukraine will need our support”

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited Ukraine on Sunday to show solidarity after Russian attacks on Kyiv infrastructure, including three bridges. Last month, Germany’s foreign minister called for de-escalation during talks with his Russian counterpart at the UN, drawing criticism from Sergei Lavrov, who urged Berlin to stop arming Ukraine. On Saturday, Moscow called on foreign nationals and diplomats to leave Ukraine. Shirli Sitbon reports.

Why I quit the movement shaping AI

Artificial intelligence insiders are quitting their jobs, saying the technology could mean the end of humanity. Pope Leo in France warned of a “paradise of machines”. And the New York Times reported this week that one of AI firm Anthropic’s co-founders spent months lobbying religious thinkers on the possibility that AI could be conscious.

The week in pictures: Disaster averted on Flydubai flight, French school protests and Bangkok floods

From French highschoolers protesting to demand better learning conditions to a Flydubai flight diverted to Saudi Arabia after a flightcrew member's onboard attack and flooded streets in Bangkok, FRANCE 24 looks back at the week's most striking pictures.

Brazil: Lula and Bolsonaro tied in polls

Brazilians began casting their votes on Sunday in a closely watch presidential election pitting incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva against right-wing Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, son of former president Jair Bolsonaro. Mara Nogueira, Senior Lecturer in Urban Geography at Birbeck, University of London, says the tight race reflects the consolidation of two political camps, with many Brazilians voting not out of support for a candidate, but to keep the other out of power.

Lula de Silva: 80-year-old incumbent Brazilian president seeks 4th term

Brazilians began casting their votes on Sunday in a closely watch presidential election pitting incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva against right-wing Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, son of former president Jair Bolsonaro. Nearly 160 million voters will also pick lawmakers, senators and governors in an election that will determine whether Latin America's biggest nation follows a regional swing to the right championed by US President Donald Trump. France 24 correspondent Jan Onoszko tells us the latest from Rio de Janeiro.

Yemen’s government declares counter-offensive as Houthis cut vital route to besieged city

The ​leader of ​Yemen's Saudi-backed government announced the beginning of a ​major ‌military ⁠operation against the Iran-backed Houthis ‌on Sunday aimed at ⁠recapturing territory under their control. The announcement came as Houthi forces cut off a vital supply route to the besieged government-held city of Taiz, according to several security sources.

Hundreds of schools to shut Monday as France braces for more student protests

Lessons will be "totally or partly suspended" at up to 500 high schools across France on Monday, the country's education minister has said, after days of sometimes violent protests against teacher shortages, dilapidated school buildings and overcrowding in classrooms. The minister said 24 schools had been "burned or ransacked" since the start of protests.

‘Rwandan genocide hunter’ Dafroza Gauthier dies at 72

For nearly 30 years, Dafroza Gauthier, along with her husband Alain, tracked down Rwandan refugees in France suspected of having participated in the Tutsi genocide. She died in Reims on Saturday after dedicating her life to bringing to justice those allegedly responsible for the 1994 massacre of more than 800,000 people.

West Bank: Palestinians ‘harassed’ by settlers’ increasing use of drones

Palestinians and activists report an increased use of drones in the occupied West Bank, particularly by the army and settlers, to whom the government supplies the drones directly. The drones are used to intimidate, monitor, demolish and make daily life unbearable.

Lula and Bolsonaro face off in Brazil presidential race

Twelve candidates are on the ballot, but the presidential race is centred on two rivals: President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Flavio Bolsonaro. Lula is seeking a fourth and final term, warning that Brazil’s sovereignty is at stake amid pressure from Donald Trump. Bolsonaro, meanwhile, has highlighted his ties to the White House, saying Brazil needs better deals with the US, including over its rare mineral resources. Nick Rushworth has more on the controversial senator.

Cornell president breaks silence over alleged campus rape

Cornell University remains at the centre of controversy over an alleged gang rape at a fraternity on campus, with the university president now breaking his silence. In an eight-minute video statement released Saturday night, Michael Kotlikoff called the allegations, made by a woman known as Jane Doe, deeply disturbing and said the university must do better. Shirli Sitbon has this report.

Brazilians start voting in tight election between Lula and Flavio Bolsonaro

Brazilians began casting their votes on Sunday in a hotly contested presidential election pitting incumbent Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva against right-wing senator Flavio Bolsonaro, son of the former president. Almost 160 million voters will also pick lawmakers, senators and governors in an election that will determine whether Latin America's biggest nation follows a regional swing to the right championed by US President Donald Trump.

Israel prepares to mark October 7

An Israeli strike on a civilian vehicle in Gaza on Sunday killed one Palestinian and wounded at least 11 others. Israel’s military said it was targeting a Hamas militant. Palestinians have reported a surge in Israeli fire and airstrikes across Gaza over the past month, with more than 75,000 people killed and much of the enclave destroyed. Meanwhile, Israelis held their weekly protest in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, the last before Wednesday marks three years since the October 7 attack.

Ethiopian federal forces control Tigray capital as regional rivals meet in Egypt

Troops loyal to Ethiopia's federal government were patrolling the streets of Mekelle on Sunday, a day after the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) withdrew its forces from the northern city. The government advance came as Ethiopia's regional rivals including Eritrea and Sudan met in the Egyptian coastal city of El-Alamein, calling for regional disputes to be settled through "peaceful means".

Russian strike hits Kyiv amid Chancellor Merz visit

Moscow has once again bombed one of Kyiv’s bridges, despite the presence of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in the Ukrainian capital. The visit was unplanned, but Merz says it was intended to show Germany’s support for Ukraine. France 24 correspondent Gulliver Cragg, reporting from Kyiv, says traffic has resumed on the bridge, though slowly. Video shows a large hole in the roadway. Experts say the bridges are extremely solid and difficult to destroy, even with ballistic missiles.

Brazil: A portrait of Flavio Bolsonaro

Brazilians are voting for governors and lawmakers, but the biggest stakes are in the presidential race. Twelve candidates are on the ballot, but the contest is seen as a toss-up between President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Flavio Bolsonaro. Lula is seeking a fourth and final term, warning that Brazil’s sovereignty is at stake amid pressure from Donald Trump. Bolsonaro, meanwhile, has highlighted his ties to the White House, saying Brazil needs better deals with the US, including over its rare mineral resources.

Who are the mystery pilots who successfully landed endangered Flydubai flight 1073?

A passenger on Flydubai flight 1073 has described the actions of on-duty crew members who rushed into the cockpit to stabilise and land the plane after the co-pilot attacked the captain with a crash axe. The flight carrying 182 people en route to Israel was able to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after a descent so extreme that part of its rudder was torn away.

Le Pen stands by top ally Bardella as anti-Semitism claims hit star of French far right

French far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen has reiterated her "complete confidence" in National Rally (RN) leader Jordan Bardella, accused by investigative news outlet Mediapart of making anti-Semitic comments in 2013. But some analysts say the frontrunner in the Élysée Palace race may seek to distance herself from her protégé should the controversy end up damaging her campaign.

Tsar Samuel laid to rest in Sofia

In Bulgaria, the remains of medieval ruler Tsar Samuel have been laid to rest in the capital Sofia, after being flown back from the border with Greece by Bulgarian fighter jets. Their return follows decades of negotiations with Athens, in exchange for the return of religious artefacts. Nicholas Rushworth has more.

Merz unveils new aid for Ukraine as Russia strikes Kyiv during German leader’s visit

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced a new aid package for Ukraine worth more than 1.3 billion euros ($1.5 billion) during a visit to Kyiv on Sunday marked by renewed Russian attacks on the Ukrainian capital, including the latest drone attack on a bridge spanning the Dnipro River.

Ireland–Israel nations League clash overshadowed by political tensions

Ireland and Israel are set to face off in the second leg of their Nations League matchup, with political tensions overshadowing the football. During last week’s first game in Bulgaria, Irish players wore black armbands in support of Gaza and pointedly lowered their heads during the Israeli national anthem. Ahead of Sunday’s match in Serbia, the Irish team cut a press conference short after facing intense questioning from Israeli journalists. Charlotte Lam has the details.

Brazil polls open in a few hours

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his main challenger Flavio Bolsonaro wrapped up their campaigns on Saturday in the powerhouse state of Sao Paulo, where a fifth of the nation's vote is based, seeking to rally supporters and convince the undecided on the eve of Sunday's nail-biter election. Mareeke Reethof, lecturer in Latin American Politics at the University of Liverpool, shares further insights.

Flock’s AI tracking sparks privacy fears and violence

In the US, Flock Security cameras form an AI-powered surveillance network that records licence plates and other vehicle information. Their controversial use has become a political issue ahead of the midterm elections, and the cameras are increasingly being targeted by vandals. Caitlin Brown explains.

Yemen’s Houthis claim attacks on Aramco facilities in Riyadh

Yemen’s Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for attacks in Riyadh, including on facilities belonging to Aramco, the world’s largest oil company. This follows reports from residents of flames and smoke rising from an oil facility on the outskirts of the Saudi capital. Meanwhile, the Houthis have accused Saudi Arabia of launching dozens of strikes on Sanaa, warning that they will continue to respond to any escalation with further escalation. Here’s Jennie Shin with more on the situation on the ground.

Germany’s Merz visits Kyiv as Russia steps up attacks on Ukrainian cities

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Ukraine's capital Kyiv on Sunday on an unannounced visit in a show of support for the country in its war with Russia. Merz's visit comes just a day after Russia warned foreigners and diplomats to leave the Ukrainian capital, saying that "massive" new airstrikes would hit the city. FRANCE 24's correspondent in Kyiv Gulliver Cragg has more.

Germany’s Merz visits Kyiv to pledge more support to Zelensky

Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv on Sunday in a ​show of support for President Volodymyr Zelensky amid escalating Russian attacks on Ukraine. The Ukrainian capital has been particularly targeted in recent weeks by waves of drones striking key infrastrucure.

Ossoff and El-Sayed: Two Senate races and what they say about the Democratic Party

Senator Jon Ossoff, a Democratic favourite, is running for re-election in Georgia in the 2026 US midterms while Abdul El-Sayed is a Senate candidate in the battleground state of Michigan. The two Democrats have very different profiles and platforms, underscoring divergences within the party. They could also determine the party's future ahead of the 2028 presidential election.

Bosnia votes in general election with wartime divisions still dominating

Bosnia is heading to the polls on Sunday after a general election campaign dominated by parties that identify closely with the ethnic divisions of its 1990s war. Voters will elect a vast number of officials across multiple tiers of government, in a complex system that has held the partitioned country together since the 1995 peace deal. FRANCE 24's correspondent in Belgrade Laurent Rouy has more.

Bosnians vote as pro-Russian politician looms large and ethnic tensions simmer

Bosnians are heading to the polls Sunday in elections that ​could impact the influence Russia seeks over the small Balkan nation with separatist Serb leader Milorad Dodik dominating the campaign despite his ban from public office. Bosnia and Herzegovina, a country marred by ethnic tensions, has struggled to recover since its brutal 1992-95 war.

Latvia exit polls put PM’s pro-Ukraine party ahead but coalition partners stumble

Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs' pro-Ukraine and pro-Europe party was seen winning a parliamentary election on Saturday by an unexpectedly wide margin, exit polls showed, even as projected results for other coalition parties suggested the centrist PM would have to form a new ruling coalition.

Lula and Bolsonaro make final push for votes ahead of Brazil’s knife-edge election

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his main challenger Flavio Bolsonaro wrapped up their campaigns on Saturday in the powerhouse state of Sao Paulo, where a fifth of the nation's vote is based, seeking to rally supporters and convince the undecided on the eve of Sunday's nail-biter election.

Lula and Bolsonaro in final push for votes ahead of Brazil’s knife-edge election

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his main challenger Flavio Bolsonaro made their final pitch to voters Saturday with rallies in the pivotal state of Sao Paulo ahead of a nail-biter election that has been marred by scandals and mudslinging.

Putin’s war for the history books: Dmytro Kuleba speaks to France 24

The Bronze Horseman, the iconic equestrian statue in Senate Square in St Petersburg, was commissioned by Catherine the Great in honor of Peter the Great, the city's founder. The pedestal of the statue bears a laconic dedication, "To Peter the First, Catherine the Second, 1782". Does Putin want to be the third, Vladimir the Great? And is that ambition, expansion at any cost, the real reason behind the war in Ukraine?

Tennessee prison chief who oversaw botched Christa Pike execution resigns

The head of Tennessee's prison system has resigned in the first major shake-up since the stunning failed execution of Christa Pike, who is in critical condition after surviving two lethal injections. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, who previously denied Pike clemency, has halted further executions through the rest of the year while a review is conducted.

Italy’s Ustica enigma: Can French files solve mystery crash blamed on stray missile?

France’s decision to share defence documents with the Italian judiciary has raised hopes of a breakthrough in investigations into the 1980 crash of a passenger jet near the island of Ustica, which a former Italian president claimed was mistakenly shot down by a French fighter jet. Sceptics caution that the files are unlikely to shed light on one of Italy’s most enduring mysteries, let alone reveal a culprit.

Houthis blame Saudi air strikes as loud blasts rock Yemen’s capital Sanaa

Houthi-linked media reported "Saudi aggession" on Saturday after loud explosions rocked the Yemeni capital Sanaa, which is controlled by the Iran-backed rebel group. Earlier this week, the Houthis accused Saudi Arabia of bombing Sanaa for the first time since renewed fighting broke out between the two sides in July.

Fresh protests over housing flare in Spain after lawmakers reject relief measures

Tens of thousands of protesters marched in Madrid and other cities in Spain on Saturday to demand affordable housing, fuelled by anger at lawmakers who narrowly rejected measures put forward by the government of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to strengthen protection for tenants.

Flavio Bolsonaro: In the name of the father, sons, and holy ideology

The first round of Brazil’s presidential election on Sunday pits two well-known names in the political ring: Lula vs. Bolsonaro. But it’s not former president Jair Bolsonaro facing off against the incumbent head of state – it’s his eldest son, Flavio Bolsonaro. He’s less charismatic than his father but just as ideologically radical as the family patriarch.

Barricades & the blame game: the French school protests

In a week that’s seen the heroism of the captain, crew and passengers on board FlyDubai flight 1073 heralded, eye witnesses report seeing the co-pilot trying to kill the pilot and destroying the cockpit controls in order to crash the plane. Despite being stabbed repeatedly, Captan Smit Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers to overwhelm the suspect and regain control of the aircraft after its rapid descent of more than 14,000 feet in 30 seconds.

No fairytale return for Zidane as Italy hold France at the Stade de France

The Stade de France was filled to capacity as the new French national team manager, Zinedine Zidane, prepared to make his home debut. The very side against whom he had ended his playing career in 2006 was once again the opponent he faced. Despite Michael Olise’s splendid free kick, the French were quickly overpowered by a clinical Italian side.

Ethiopia’s Tigray rebels abandon regional capital Mekelle as government forces enter city

Rebels from the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) in Ethiopia were abandoning their regional capital of Mekkele in the north of the country on Saturday, a local journalist and residents told AFP. The TPLF has been fighting against federal forces and pro-government militias since September 23 and launching attacks into neighbouring states, raising fears of an all-out civil war similar to that of 2020-2022.

UAE investigators say Omani Flydubai co-pilot was planning ‘terrorist act’

The Omani co-pilot accused of attacking the captain aboard a Flydubai flight on September 30 had been barred from flying in his country for security reasons. Several media outlets reported that Omani authorities suspected him of holding radical ideological views.

North Korea launches ballistic missile as tensions with Seoul grow over border mine blasts

North Korea launched a ballistic missile Saturday morning from the Wonsan area on its east coast into the Sea of Japan, according to Seoul's military. The launch comes amid renewed tensions between North Korea and South Korea, with the latter demanding an apology for a blast that wounded three South Korean soldiers inside the Demilitarized Zone last month.

French media respond to M. Le Pen’s ‘Kevlar suit’ comments against investigative outlet

The editorial committees of 39 French media outlets, including FRANCE 24 and RFI, on Friday released a joint statement condemning National Rally (RN) party leader and presidential candidate Marine Le Pen’s recent comments targeting investigative outlet Médiapart as “violent attempts at intimidation” against press freedom in France, qualifying them as “particularly worrying for the right to information" that citizens of a democracy "are entitled to expect”.

Nations League: France held by Italy despite Olise stunner

After two wins in two away games, Zinédine Zidane’s return to the Stade de France as coach was not exactly a success, as Les Bleus were held to a 1-1 draw by Italy on Friday in the UEFA Nations League.

Ethiopian army pushes back Tigrayan rebels

First, Ethiopia and Eritrea have severed ties and now with tensions spreading across the region, the African Union is urging all sides to show restraint. Meanwhile, Ethiopia's army is advancing toward the Tigrayan capital as fighting intensifies and new explosions rock Addis Ababa. Then, from boardrooms to cocoa fields, a growing number of urban Ivorians are turning to agriculture. On weekends, civil servants, entrepreneurs and traders leave Abidjan behind to tend farms in the countryside, seeking extra income.

On the run for 20 years, Ugandan warlord Kony still ‘active’ within the Lord’s Resistance Army

In recent months, the eastern Central African Republic has been hit by several attacks attributed to the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), a Ugandan militia infamous for its massacres and mass abductions of children in the 1990s and 2000s. The group's leader, Joseph Kony, wanted by the International Criminal Court for more than 20 years, remains at large. FRANCE 24 spoke to Leonie von Braun, the ICC’s lead investigator on the Kony case, about the group's resurgence.

French Unrest: Are we witnessing a new 'Yellow Vests' movement?

It's been 18 days since we first reported on isolated cases of schools protests at a high school in Rennes in Brittany, in Caen in Normandy and Villeneueve d'Asque on the suburbs of Lille. The complaints were similar in theme, overloaded timetables, staffing problems, poor facilities. It spread to Saint Denis and Creteil on the outskirts of Paris days later, one interview with the students was sen 1.4 million times on TikTok.

Brazil’s Lula gears up for ‘last dance’ with run for fourth presidential term

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will stand for re-election in Brazil on Sunday. At 80, the former steelworker hopes to capitalise on his popularity and economic successes to win a fourth term in office but is neck-and-neck in the polls with far-right rival Flavio Bolsonaro.

'We have to close defence gaps urgently': EU Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee chief McAllister

We sit down with David McAllister, the chair of the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee. He talks to us about the security threats facing Europe, and what defence gaps the EU urgently needs to close. For McAllister, the EU is "not at war with the Russian Federation, but we are no longer at peace with Russia". He also believes that the EU is not, as yet, capable of making sovereign decisions in certain areas of defence "because we are too dependent on US capabilities."

Brazil: The craze for candidate merch ahead of elections

Nearly 159 million Brazilians will head to the polling booths on Sunday to vote in general elections. They will elect their new MPs, see two-thirds of the Senate change ranks and, most importantly, vote for their next president.Though the vote is held by secret ballot, people wear their support on their sleeve.

Spanish lawmakers vote down affordable housing bills in blow to Sanchez’s government

Demonstrators protesting against Spain's housing crisis reacted with fury on Friday after the country's parliament rejected two bills put forward by the government that centre-left Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez hoped would address their concerns. Rents have doubled over the past decade, with average prices now almost equivalent to the average young person's monthly salary.

A grim winter ahead? EU states asked to prepare gas and electricity savings

Alarm bells are ringing about fuel prices across the EU. The average cost of diesel per litre is well above €2, whereas in October of last year it was around €1.50. Even before this latest spike, the cost of living was already biting, and it seems that the conflict in the Middle East is not going to give Europeans much respite as the winter draws closer. We review what EU member states have done to cushion the blow of rising energy prices for ordinary people, and whether those measures have been effective.

Brazil: Who is presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro?

He was still relatively unknown in Brazil just a few months ago. The 45-year-old senator is now neck and neck with incumbent President Lula in the polls for the upcoming presidential election. Flavio Bolsonaro's victory would add Brazil to the long list of Latin American countries that have shifted to the right or far right in recent months.

'Make our streets safer!' Mass women's protests sweep India over sexual violence

In India, thousands of women have been taking to the streets calling for better protection of female students, following the suspected gang rape of a 17-year-old girl. The alleged incident in an upscale neighbourhood of New Delhi prompted authorities to beef up protective measures, but the women say limiting their access to public spaces is not the answer.

The Cornell 7: Allegations spark fury over gang rape culture

How allegations of a gang rape at an American Ivy League university have set social media alight, sparking widespread fury over the way colleges and universities handle sexual assault cases. Also the French parliament is currently debating a major new bill aimed at tackling violence against women and children. But does it go far enough? Annette Young asks Dr Andreea Gruev-Vintila, a social psychologist who assisted with the drafting of the legislation.

U2 celebrate 50 years in music with surprise gigs

They could have filled a stadium or two for this golden anniversary, but U2 decided to go back to their roots and mark 50 years as a band with a few low-key gigs in their hometown of Dublin. We take a closer look.

Netanyahu warns of ‘very heavy price’ if any country found to be behind FlyDubai incident

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday warned that any country or organisation found to be responsible for the violent clash on board an Israel-bound FlyDubai flight would "pay a very heavy price". While Netanyahu has alleged the co-pilot who stabbed his captain mid-flight had undergone "Islamist radicalisation", the motive behind the incident remains unclear.

What the media got right and wrong about Cornell gang rape case

The alleged gang rape at America's Cornell University has shocked many people around the world and raised questions about institutional failure and toxic masculinity. The story was first broken by student journalists and national media soon followed, thrusting it in the spotlight. While there has been excellent reporting, the story has also exposed failures in how some pieces framed officials' statements alongside Jane Doe's allegations. We take a closer look in Scoop.

‘Apocalyptic scenes’ as France school protests escalate

France 24's Olivia Bizot reports from the Paris suburb of Aubervilliers, where she says protests over school conditions have left "apocalyptic" scenes in their wake. The protest movement, which began last week in the Paris region and rapidly spread nationwide, has seen teenage pupils block access to buildings and clash with police.

Students and police clash as France struggles to quell school protests

Riot police clashed with high school ​students in cities across France on Friday, as President Emmanuel Macron's government battled to contain increasingly violent protests over classroom conditions and funding. The protest movement has forced the closure or disrupted education at more than 560 establishments.

France school protests 'rapidly becoming out of control'

French high school students lit fires outside schools and faced off with police on Friday as a protest movement that has forced the closure or disrupted education at more than 560 establishments showed no sign of abating. France 24’s Rochelle Ferguson Bouyahi takes a look at why the students are protesting, and how the demonstrations spiraled into violence.

Spain housing protests rage ahead of key government vote

Spanish lawmakers are due to vote on Friday on two government housing decrees drawn up after an outcry over the eviction of an 87-year-old woman, with their passage in doubt. Several hundred people held raucous protests in Madrid and other Spanish cities ahead of the vote, with demonstrators rattling keys, blowing whistles, banging spoons against pots.

Paraguay, a tax and political haven for Brazil's far right

Over the past five years, applications for residence permits submitted by Brazilians in Paraguay have more than doubled. Many of them are Bolsonaro supporters who are afraid October's presidential election will be won by incumbent leader Lula – whom they accuse of plunging the Latin American giant into an unprecedented economic crisis. FRANCE 24's Fanny Lothaire and Valeria Saccone report, with Jan Onoszko.

What's real and what's fake? How AI is impacting Brazil's election race

With just two days to go before the first round of Brazil's presidential election, artificial intelligence is taking centre stage, whether it's a deepfake avatar of former president Jair Bolsonaro to support his son's candidacy, or an AI-generated working-class female voter criticising President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. According to the Brazilian intelligence agency, disinformation will be one of the main challenges of this election. Our correspondents report.

Brazil's election: Lula or Bolsonaro Jr?

PRESS REVIEW – Friday, October 2: We look at reactions in the French papers after high school blockades turned violent across France. We also look ahead to Brazil's two-round presidential election, which begins this weekend. The electoral campaign culminated with the cancellation of a presidential debate after both President Lula and his rival Flavio Bolsonaro pulled out. Finally, this year's Comedy Wildlife Awards finalists do not disappoint.

Nigeria rolls out digital postcodes

Nigeria’s Postal Service has launched a National Digital Alphanumeric Postcode System. The system is designed to help Nigerians find the postcodes of locations across the country. Before now, house identification in Nigeria was based on an unreliable house numbering system. Locating places was difficult, time consuming and sometimes even expensive. But there may challenges using the new system in a country with poor urban planning and illegal building constructions.

Eritrea cuts ties with Ethiopia over embassy closure

Ethiopia ordered the closure of its embassy in Eritrea and declared 10 Eritrean diplomats persona non grata on Thursday, prompting Asmara to sever all diplomatic ties with its neighbour after overnight blasts heard in Addis Ababa sparked fears about renewed conflict in northern Ethiopia spreading. France 24's Tom Canetti has more.

Why Brazil’s gun lobby is backing Bolsonaro as country heads to polls

As Brazil heads to the polls, one issue that could influence votes particularly in the rural south is access to firearms. Under Jair Bolsonaro, Brazil became more heavily armed than ever before: the number of registered hunters, shooters and collectors – known by the acronym ‘CACs’ – increased sevenfold in four years. Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva promised to reverse this trend, much to the irritation of the powerful gun lobby. France 24’s team in Brazil sent this report.

Manchester City appeal judgement that club breached Premier League financial rules

Manchester City on Friday appealed an independent commission's findings that the club had seriously breached the Premier League's financial rules for more than a decade. The commission found the 10-time English champions had arranged phoney commercial deals with a number of its sponsors as part of a "disguised funding scheme".

‘America is leaving Iraq, but Iran isn’t: Withdrawal a massive strategic and tactical mistake’

Erin Ogunkeye is pleased to welcome Bamo Nouri, investigative journalist and also Honorary Research Fellow with the Department of International Politics at City Saint George's University of London. He sees the end of the American military presence in Iraq as a profound shift in the balance of power inside the country. For him, the central question is not whether Iraq has formally regained sovereignty, but whether it possesses the political cohesion, security capacity and economic independence necessary to exercise that sovereignty.

Amid French school protests, students seek ‘respect, dignity and decent working conditions’

Alison Sargent is pleased to welcome Éric Fassin, a sociologist and professor at Paris VIII University. He sees these student protests first and foremost as a demand for equality, dignity and recognition. Students from working-class suburbs are asking for the basic conditions that make studying possible and, ultimately, the same opportunities as students elsewhere. What began among students in the Parisian suburbs has spread, but its fundamental meaning remains the same: this is a social movement with a political and democratic dimension.

As Europe’s balance of power shifts eastward, France & Spain seek to ‘reinforce their own positions’

Delano D'Souza is pleased to welcome Carlos Mascarell Vilar, political scientist based in Spain. From his own perspective, Emmanuel Macron's visit to Spain needs to be understood by European power, political legacy, and geoeconomics. France and Spain are seeking to reinforce their bilateral relationship at a moment when the balance of power within Europe is changing rapidly, particularly with the growing importance of countries in the east such as Poland.

Matisse comes to Amsterdam in major new show

From the October 3 visitors to Amsterdam's H'ART museum will be able to see an extensive collection of works by artist Henri Matisse alongside pieces inspired by his legacy, including Mark Rothko, Barnett Newman, and Pablo Picasso. The new exhibition was organised in collaboration with the Pompidou Centre in Paris.

Lula and Bolsonaro in dead heat as Brazil goes to polls

Brazilian presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro on Thursday bowed out of the final debate ahead of elections pitting him against leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who also declined to attend. Lula, on the cusp of 81, will face off against the son of ex-leader Jair Bolsonaro in a first-round vote on Sunday, with polls giving him a slight advantage. The pair are neck-and-neck in projections for a potential runoff on October 25, however.

French pensioners set to feel pinch under belt-tightening budget

French pensioners will be among those expected to contribute to balancing the government's books, according to the 2027 draft budget unveiled on Thursday. Pensions exceeding 1,260 euros per month will be partially frozen and the cap on the 10% income tax deduction will be lowered, measures that received mixed reactions from pensioners.

French website publishes evidence for antisemitism claims against Bardella

French investigative journalism website Mediapart said Thursday it had been able to authenticate antisemitic messages from 2013 attributed to far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen's de facto deputy Jordan Bardella. The allegations come just seven months out from the election where voters will choose a replacement for President Emmanuel Macron, with Le Pen leading opinion polls.

France closes 400 high schools as teens protests escalate

Almost 400 high schools were closed across France on Friday over a week-long protest movement by pupils over inadequate conditions at schools including overheated classrooms and a lack of teachers. The protests have seen students clash with police with some 2,000 people arrested, with pupils also blocking access to schools. France 24’s Olivia Bizot reports from outside a high school near Paris where she says many protesters are also decrying what they says is the use of police violence.

Can AI play a role in reducing inequality?

In the debate about how best to regulate artificial intelligence, what about its role in development and aid? Warnings about the potential for exacerbating inequality are rife – but the World Bank argues that the technology could be harnessed for good.

Flydubai hero pilot tells Modi ‘I could not let all those people die’

Smit Machchhar, the Indian captain who was attacked by his co-pilot onboard the Flydubai flight 1073 in an apparent attempt to crash the plane, on Friday told Prime Minister Narendra Modi that although he was severely injured in the altercation, “I could not let all those people die”. Although collapsed, he made a last-ditch effort and managed to push the door to the cockpit open.

France unveils cost-cutting budget amid protests

The French government is seeking €54 billion in savings in its 2027 budget proposal, as it faces pressure over its ballooning public debt. But it's likely to face opposition, especially on proposals that would cap pension increases. Meanwhile, protests by high school students over resources and conditions in classrooms have spread across the country, with the budget likely to further inflame tensions.

Will AI write our books? Row over bestseller fuels fear over future of literature

France still very much takes its literary prize-giving season seriously. So when a Haitian-born Canadian writer was accused of infusing his best-selling breakout novel with artificial intelligence, it got ugly in a hurry. We wade into the Thélyson Orélien affair with its subsequent accusations of racism, previous plagiarism by the author and doubts over the accuracy of AI verification tool Pangram.

Hundreds of French schools remain closed as student protests turn violent

Some 400 French schools have been closed and will remain shuttered on Friday as the student protests that began in high schools in the Paris region last week have spread across France and grown increasingly violent. The students are protesting grievances including teacher shortages and dilapidated school buildings. The government has blamed the hard left for initiating the movement.

Egypt warned Israel of 'major' Hamas attack: 'No world' where Netanyahu's not aware (Vivian Salama)

François Picard is pleased to welcome Vivian Salama from Washington. An attorney and staff writer at The Atlantic, Salama has reported from more than 85 countries. Her latest investigation takes us back

Nations League: Zidane returns to face Italy and the Stade de France

Twenty years after the 2006 World Cup final, Zinedine Zidane faces Italy again on Friday, this time as France manager, on matchday three of the Nations League. For his first match in France as manager, he also returns to the Stade de France, where he experienced several defining moments of his career.

Lula and Bolsonaro’s mudslinging heats up ahead of weekend vote

The mudslinging between Brazil’s incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his election rival, Flavio Bolsonaro, has heated up ahead of what is expected to be an extremely close vote this weekend. From stating loose rumours as facts, to taking comments completely out of their context, they are both doing everything they can to win a few more votes.

Live: Russia hits Kyiv’s Southern Bridge as Moscow continues to pound capital

Russian airstrikes hit Kyiv’s Southern Bridge, the city’s mayor said on Friday. Russia also targeted a school and apartment buildings in the capital, killing at least one person. Ukraine, meanwhile, launched an overnight drone attack on the Russian city of Volgograd, targeting industrial facilities. Follow our liveblog for all the latest developments on the war in Ukraine.

Saudi-led coalition accuses Houthis of striking Medina power station

Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis struck an electricity distribution station supplying the Prophet’s Mosque in Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Medina, the Saudi-led coalition said Thursday, drawing condemnation across the Muslim world. The Houthis denied involvement in the drone attack, which came as fighting intensified between government forces and rebels in Yemen.

G20 trade ministers deadlocked over industrial overcapacity, says US trade chief

G20 trade ministers failed to agree on tackling excess industrial capacity and eliminating forced labour from supply chains, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said Thursday. Speaking during talks in Milwaukee, Greer highlighted overcapacity, a criticism often directed at China, which rejects it. The United States holds this year's rotating presidency.

Netanyahu says flydubai co-pilot was radicalised as UAE probes terror link

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday the co-pilot accused of attacking a flydubai flight carrying mostly Israelis had undergone “Islamist radical indoctrination”, as UAE authorities investigated a possible terror link. The captain and passengers overpowered the suspect before the plane made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.

Antisemitic messages attributed to John Bardella authenticated, French outlet says

French investigative outlet Mediapart said on Thursday it had authenticated antisemitic messages allegedly sent by far-right politician Jordan Bardella in 2013. Bardella denied writing them and said he would sue for defamation and forgery. The allegations come seven months before France’s presidential election, with Marine Le Pen leading opinion polls.

Migration deal: ‘Really a scheme around political diplomacy between UK & France in post-Brexit era’

Erin Ogunkeye is pleased to welcome Parvati Nair, Professor of Hispanic, Cultural and Migration Studies at Queen Mary University of London. She sees the UK-France migration agreement as a small but revealing element of a much wider post-Brexit relationship, in which questions of migration are intertwined with diplomacy, security, intelligence and surveillance.

US presses Europe to release diesel reserves ‘immediately’ as fuel prices surge

The United States on Thursday urged European allies to release strategic diesel reserves immediately to curb prices driven higher by the US war on Iran. EU states will discuss a coordinated response on Friday, as Washington increases pressure following President Donald Trump's suggestion that he could ban US diesel exports.

Fake BBC report falsely implicates Indian passenger and pilot in Flydubai hijacking attempt

False videos are circulating after the attempted hijacking of a Flydubai flight between Dubai and Tel Aviv. One fake “BBC” report falsely claims an Indian passenger was behind the incident and links him to the stabbed pilot, Smit Machchhar. The video though, is an AI-generated deepfake: the BBC never broadcast it, and its footage and audio were doctored. A second clip was also misrepresented and filmed in Dubai, not over where the incident occurred. Vedika Bahl fact-checks in Truth or Fake.

‘Fundamental demand’: Saint-Denis students seek same opportunity as those in ‘more privileged areas’

Erin Ogunkeye is pleased to welcome a high school teacher who agreed to speak with us anonymously as protests intensify at a high school in a northern Paris suburb. The protests are shining a cruel light on major problems that have existed for years. All the while, police are cracking down on students, using teargas and strongarm tactics as students blockade entrances. For this high school teacher, the protests reflect concerns about everyday conditions in which students are expected to learn. Their demands are not abstract political claims.

Ethiopia and Eritrea break diplomatic ties over conflict

In tonight's edition, Ethiopia and Eritrea break diplomatic ties, accusing each other of stoking internal conflicts. Also, Nigeria rolls out a digital postcode system for every building. And I speak to one of the co-founders of the he Rural Women’s Assembly as it is recognised for its work challenging power systems.

UK police arrest dual UK-Iranian national over Fairford air base incident

British police on Thursday arrested a British-Iranian dual national in connection with the security incident at the Fairford airbase Wednesday. Five other men initially arrested over the incidence were later released without charge on bail.

France’s purchasing power crisis: Navigating the pinch

With looming elections and a draft budget that aims to address a €305.7bn financing requirement, French households are increasingly in the red. Will wages ever manage to outpace energy inflation?

'Guilty of all charges': Man City at centre of 'biggest scandal in football history', vows to appeal

François Picard is pleased to welcome our sports editor, James Vasina, and Andreas Evargora, sports journalist and commentator. Evargora describes the current Manchester City case as unprecedented in scale: “This is nothing of the scale that we’ve seen before.”

Students face riot police as protests over school conditions escalate in France

French teenagers on Tuesday set fire to rubbish bins and threw projectiles at police who responded with batons and tear gas, as pupils kept up blockades and protests at hundreds of high schools, demanding better conditions. The movement in the lycees, attended by students aged 15 to 18 for their final three years of secondary education in France, has angered the government.

Teens block high schools across France, demand better conditions

France's prime minister convened a crisis meeting on Thursday and canceled ministers' trips to focus on the nationwide spread of protests, some violent, by high school students venting against under-resourced schools, long hours and other complaints. The demonstrations erupted in Paris-region schools last week and have snowballed, with police making hundreds of arrests in clashes with the young protesters. FRANCE 24's International Affairs Editor Angela Diffley tells us more.

Rethinking traditional designs: A French twist on the kimono

In this episode of Entre Nous, Delano D'Souza welcomes Alice Kith, a Paris-based designer reimagining the traditional kimono through a contemporary French lens. Her brand A-Kith brings together heritage, craftsmanship and modern Parisian style. From Poiret to Kenzo, we explore influences and how the kimono is woven into the history of Parisian fashion.

Cameroon govt announces payments as teachers strike continues

In Cameroon, the start of the academic year for Universities, scheduled for October 5, may not take place. This is as a result of an indefinite strike launched by SYNES, the National Union of Higher Education Teachers. Teachers are demanding the payment of 16 billion CFA francs in academic bonuses, equivalent to nearly 24 million euros.

A blessing or a curse? New Caledonia's dwindling nickel industry

This Thursday October 1, the French government is holding a summit aimed at attracting investors and revitalising wealth creation in France's overseas territories. Among the assets Paris wants to highlight is New Caledonian nickel. But the industry has been severely weakened by the political deadlock and tensions that have rocked the archipelago in recent years.

Sheer devastation: '80 percent of Gazan infrastructure has been destroyed'

New images posted this week by Google Maps show the utter destruction in Gaza. It's been estimated that 61 tonnes of rubble need to be cleared – that's 20 times the amount of rubble generated in all wars across the world over the last 18 years.

From Billie Eilish to Cardi B: Hassan Hajjaj on the stars who stepped into his colourful world

Moroccan-British artist and photographer Hassan Hajjaj has photographed some of the biggest names in music and pop culture – from Madonna, Billie Eilish and Alicia Keys to Cardi B and Lee "Scratch" Perry. Now, 40 of his vibrant "Rock Stars" are on show at Paris's Philharmonie. Hajjaj tells us how he creates his instantly recognisable portraits, blends Moroccan heritage with London street culture – and what happens when a global superstar steps in front of his camera.

Behind the scenes of Céline Dion’s high-tech gig - Tech 24

🎤 #CélineDion is making her great comeback with a 16-day residency in #France after years of illness. To keep her stage quiet and her voice crisp, her team is using both AI and high-tech sound systems. #FRANCE24's Peter O'Brien went behind the scenes at the invitation of French audio company L-Acoustics ☝️

UK, France end ‘on in, one out’ Channel migrant exchange deal

A year-old deal between France and Britain to return migrants crossing the Channel illegally on small boats has come to an end, the UK interior ministry said Wednesday. The deal was agreed under former UK prime minister Keir Starmer last year in a bid to help a post-Brexit reset by easing what had become a major source of tension between the neighbours.

France demands belt-tightening in 2027 budget as investors sour on its debt

France presented its ​2027 budget bill on Thursday, seeking to enact unpopular belt-tightening measures that can lower its deficit and appease increasingly twitchy bond investors ahead of next year's presidential election. The legislation faces a tough ride in a deeply divided parliament, as political clans position themselves for one of the country's most consequential elections in modern times.

France’s 2027 budget plan puts pressure on local services

France presented its ​2027 budget bill on Thursday, seeking to enact unpopular belt-tightening measures. And local governments are bracing for painful cuts. The national government provides most of the financing for local and municipal budgets – and it's now seeking 5.4 billion euros in savings there. Across the country, mayors are scrambling to figure out how to cut back, while still providing essential services.

Pink October: Raising awareness about breast cancer

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women and more than 61,000 cases are diagnosed in France each year. At Paris's Curie Institute, researchers are trying to develop new ways to identify and treat different types of cancers. One trial involves developing so-called “tumors on a chip”: miniature models which are capable of recreating the characteristics of a tumor in vitro outside of their normal biological context.

What to know about the terrifying FlyDubai flight bound for Israel

A copilot stabbed a captain in an apparent attempt to crash a jetliner as it was flying 174 people to Israel on Wednesday. But passengers burst into the cockpit and wrestled with the attacker even as the plane descended sharply, witnesses and Israel’s government said. The plane made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. The shaken passengers from the FlyDubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv landed Wednesday evening in Israel on another flight, as onlookers cheered.

Gender-based violence: French proposed bill aims to strengthen protections

French lawmakers are set to debate a bill against gender-based and sexual violence. It aims to strengthen the entire process – from reporting crimes and investigation to protection and compensation for victims. The bill also targets online sexual abuse, including non-consensual content and AI-generated deepfakes. FRANCE 24's Claire Paccalin reports.

Hundreds held, dozens wounded as French school protests escalate

French security forces on Wednesday detained over 600 people while dozens of police and gendarmes were wounded as protests that have seen blockades of high schools and violent clashes escalated, the interior minister said. Since last week, students have staged protests outside schools over grievances ranging from timetables, class sizes and a shortage of teachers to overheated classrooms during this year's heatwaves. FRANCE 24's Caroline Baum reports from Paris.

The hunting lobby: Behind France's rural power

After football and fishing, France's third-favourite pastime is hunting. The ancestral activity is popular but also divisive, with passions running high between those who defend hunting traditions and a growing number of animal rights activists. Though it's become statistically safer, a majority of French people say they don’t feel secure walking in nature during hunting season. So what steps has the government taken to regulate hunting? And why is the hunting lobby so strong and influential?

US continues to be 'a very significant partner', UN peacekeeping chief says

In an interview with FRANCE 24, UN peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix said the US continues to be "a very significant partner", despite owing $3 billion to peacekeeping. With the UN forced to cut about 25 percent of its capacity, Lacroix defended missions that cost just 0.2 percent of global military spending: "Peacekeeping is a good deal really."

Tennessee death row inmate Christa Pike survives two lethal injections

A Tennessee woman convicted of a murder three decades ago survived two lethal injection doses on Wednesday, marking the state's second failed execution this year. Christa Pike, 50, had been set to become the first woman to be executed in the southern US state in 200 years. The botched execution prompted the state’s governor to halt the one remaining execution for the rest of the year and launch a “comprehensive review”.

Why are French students blocking their school entrances?

🇫🇷 🎒 🪧 High schoolers across #France continued to blockade their #schools on Thursday, trying to form a "blocus" at the entrances of their schools in #protest. French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said that 625 people, mostly students, had been detained during blockade attempts on Wednesday, noting "an expansion of the movement". But what are they asking for? FRANCE 24's Tanishk Saha explains.

Israel's Netanyahu says co-pilot tried to crash Tel Aviv-bound plane

PRESS REVIEW – Thursday, October 1: A FlyDubai flight was diverted to Saudi Arabia after the pilot was stabbed by his co-pilot in what the Israeli media are calling a terror attack. The co-pilot was detained by off-duty pilots on board and passengers before making a safe landing in Saudi Arabia. Also in the news, Cornell University's college campus culture is back under scrutiny after a shocking sexual assault claim. Plus, a man learns that Singapore does not take AI slop lightly.

Brazil elections: Can Lula’s anti-poverty record win over voters?

In Brazil, incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is seeking a fourth and final term in the presidential election on October 4. In 2022, he made the fight against hunger and poverty a key campaign promise. Between 2023 and 2024, nearly nine million people were lifted out of poverty thanks to the government’s social and economic programs. The decline was particularly sharp in Brazil’s Northeast. A traditional stronghold for Lula, will the progress made in reducing poverty translate into stronger support for the current president?

Burnham reopens Brexit debate: EU says UK must chart Its own path on future relations

The EU said Wednesday it was up to London to chart a way forward for Britain's relations with the bloc, after Prime Minister Andy Burnham put the idea of rejoining on the table. Burnham reopened the divisive Brexit debate Wednesday by saying his centre-left Labour government could go "all the way" and propose membership of the bloc, once it has weighed the "pros and cons" of different possible relationships with Europe. For the European perspective, FRANCE 24's Dave Keating reports from Brussels.

Tennessee death row inmate Christa Pike survives execution attempt

Christa Pike, convicted of murdering a schoolmate three decades ago, survived Tennessee's effort to execute her by means of lethal injection late on Wednesday, prison officials said, foiling the state's first attempt to put a woman to death in two centuries. Pike's condition following the ordeal was not immediately known, and it was not clear what legal avenues her lawyers or the state might pursue ​next after she was ‌taken for medical treatment from the Riverbend Maximum Security Institution in Nashville.

Hegseth ‘state of the force’ speech: US to cut number of generals, admirals by 20%

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Wednesday that the United States has slashed the number of its generals and admirals by 20 percent, in a move he said is aimed at "accountability." Hegseth suggested the cuts targeted officers who failed to get on board with his efforts to ensure the military is focused on war-fighting rather than the "woke" policies of previous administrations, describing the reductions as an "accomplishment." FRANCE 24's International Affairs Editor Philip Turle tells us more.

Flydubai flight: How airlines prepare for emergencies?

In the wake of the crash averted by passengers aboard a Flydubai flight to Israel on Wednesday, many questions have been raised about safety on the aircraft. How was the alert raised while the aircraft was rapidly losing altitude? How were passengers able to intervene in an area that is normally locked? Our colleagues at France 2 take a closer look at the facts and the unanswered questions, as well as current safety procedures.

French PM presents belt-tightening 2027 budget, including frozen wages and new taxes

French Prime ​Minister ‌Sébastien Lecornu ⁠is due on Thursday to present a belt-tightening government budget for 2027, with savings predicted to come from freezing wages in the public sector and all but the lowest ‌pensions. A series of targeted tax measures are expected as well.

FlyDubai cockpit incident turns focus to crew-related hijackings

The pilot of the FlyDubai flight is suspected of having stabbed his copilot midflight in an apparent attempt to crash the plane. The incident has turned focus to similar incidents in the past, where deliberate crashes or near crashes have been instigated by on or off-duty crew.

Portugal: Ronaldo walks away

Cristiano Ronaldo has left Portugal’s training camp after several days of tensions with head coach Jorge Jesus. Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proença travelled to Copenhagen to try to ease the situation, without success. Ronaldo eventually missed training and left Denmark on his private jet. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner must now explain his decision.

Live: FlyDubai suspends flights to and from Israel after pilot attack

FlyDubai, the budget airline owned by Emirates Airlines, has temporarily suspended flights to and from Israel after one of its pilot stabbed his copilot midflight in what appears to have been an attempt to crash the Tel Aviv-bound passenger yet. Israel’s defence minister has labelled the incident as a thwarted “terror attack”. Follow our liveblog for all the latest developments.

Execution of convicted US killer Christa Pike fails despite two lethal injections

Christa Pike, who has been on death row for more than 30 years for torturing and murdering a classmate, was on Wednesday set to be executed, but the lethal injections meant to kill her failed. Pike was then transported to a medical facility, but except for the fact that she is still alive, her lawyers said they had not been informed about her condition.

El Salvador sets 2027 presidential election as Nayib Bukele seeks third term

El Salvador will hold presidential elections on February 28, 2027, the electoral tribunal said Wednesday, opening the way for President Nayib Bukele to seek a third term after constitutional changes removed presidential term limits. Bukele has drawn praise for sharply reducing gang violence but faced criticism over rights abuses during his crackdown.

Russia launches major attack on Ukraine’s energy grid, causing power cuts

Russia launched its heaviest combined assault on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure in months on Wednesday, killing seven people and triggering emergency power cuts in Kyiv and nearby regions. The strikes came as officials warned of a difficult winter as Russian forces target power and heating systems.

Transport suspended in some French cities as school protests continue

More than 600 people, most of them students, have been detained and dozens of police officers injured amid increasingly violent school protests in France. The protests began last week, when secondary school students started mobilising against a shortage of teachers, over-crowded classrooms and what they argued were unreasonable timetables.

Paramount takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery clears legal hurdle

A federal judge on Wednesday approved a settlement clearing Paramount’s takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery after 12 US states challenged the deal on antitrust grounds. The agreement includes safeguards for CNN’s editorial independence and requires the merged studio to release at least 30 films a year for its first two years.

Like a ‘rollercoaster’: passengers describe harrowing flydubai flight

As flight FZ 1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv approached the Jordanian border on Wednesday, passengers knew in an instant that something was wrong when the plane began plummeting from the sky in a rapid dive. It was like "we were having very big turbulence, but there was no turbulence", passenger Almog Italie told AFP, describing the sensation of losing thousands of feet of altitude in seconds as similar to riding a "rollercoaster". FRANCE 24's August Hakansson reports.

UK PM Burnham reopens divisive debate on rejoining EU

Andy Burnham put the idea of Britain rejoining the EU on the table Wednesday, breaking a taboo for a UK prime minister and reopening the divisive Brexit debate. Speaking with FRANCE 24's Monte Francis, Catherine Barnard, Professor of European Law at the University of Cambridge, says that Burnham "is sending the message that actually it's been pretty cold being on the outside of the EU so we're now looking at the alternatives".

Pentagon’s Hegseth says 20 pct of US generals, admirals cut, ‘no fatties, no trannies’

The head of the Pentagon, Pete Hegseth, on Wednesday announced that his department had cut 20 percent of US admirals, generals and officers who did not appear to agree with – or fit into – his way of running things. "Simple translation of that: no fatties, no trannies, no beardos, no weirdos, no wimps, no radicals. Just warriors – just tough, ready, committed troops," he said.

Meet 'America': Trump’s AI chatbot changes answers after challenging his claims

Donald Trump has launched “America”, an AI chatbot designed as a digital portal for US government information. But its responses appear to be changing. The chatbot initially challenged several of Trump’s claims, including on the 2020 election and inflation, providing evidence and links. More recently, it has refused to answer some of the same questions. Other responses still contradict Trump, while some echo his views. Vedika Bahl tests the chatbot, and its varying answers in Truth or Fake.

‘Hard to see Man City getting anything other than the book thrown at them’, expert says

Manchester City enjoyed a meteoric rise from mid-table mediocrity to Premier League domination, but their golden era could be forever tarnished after they were found guilty of scores of financial rule breaches. FRANCE 24's Mark Owen speaks with James Reade, Professor of Economics at the University of Reading. He says that it's unlikely that the club will see any leniency from football authorities: "it's hard to see it getting anything other than the book thrown at them".

Ronaldo leaves Portugal training camp after coach drops him from upcoming match

Portugal captain and striker Cristiano Ronaldo said Wednesday he had walked out on the national team's training camp in Copenhagen after coach Jorge Jesus announced the 41-year-old player would be dropped from the team's next match against Denmark.

Clashes between French teens, police as school blockades intensify

French teenagers on Tuesday set fire to rubbish bins and threw projectiles at police who responded with batons and tear gas, with hundreds detained across the country over the blockades and protests demanding better conditions at schools. Since last week, students have staged protests outside hundreds of schools over grievances including timetables, class sizes and a shortage of teachers as well as overheated classrooms during this year's heatwaves. FRANCE 24's Rachel Griffiths reports.

Ethiopia back to civil war? Horn of Africa fears spillover effect of renewed fighting

After contagion in the Arabian Peninsula, should the entire Horn of Africa fear a domino effect? Just as Donald Trump’s decision to invade Iran drew the Saudis back to Yemen: did threats over the Strait of Bab el-Mandeb light the fuse in Ethiopia, where last week, unresolved issues between the government and its Tigray region erupted? Could a potential return to civil war draw in regional rivals?

British PM alleges there are ‘strong indications’ Iran was involved in Fairford airbase incident

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham on Wednesday insisted that there were "strong indications" that Tehran was involved in a security incident on Sunday near an airbase in England that the US military uses in its war against Iran. The British government has still not explained the nature of the incident – in which five British men were arrested only to be later released on bail – and no explosives were found at the scene.

UK-France ‘one in, one out’ migrant exchange deal is scrapped

A British-French agreement aimed at reducing the number of people trying to cross the English Channel in small boats has been scrapped, London said Wednesday. The pilot programme was intended to break the business model of "people smugglers" by exchanging undocumented migrants who had made the crossing for people who legally applied for asylum.

France to unveil 2027 budget as debt hits record high

As the French government prepares to unveil its latest budget, the country's debt is at a record high and growing every day. France's public debt currently stands at nearly 3.6 trillion euros, nearly 60 billion of that added in the last three months alone.

New York Gov pushes for probe into Cornell’s handling of gang rape allegation

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Tuesday called for an investigation into Cornell University's response to a 2024 gang rape allegation in which a woman says she was sexually assaulted by seven students after being plied with alcohol and drugs. It comes as prosecutors reopen an investigation into the alleged rape following claims the elite college failed to properly punish the men involved.

Climate change reshaping the polar oceans, says report

Climate change is increasingly reshaping the polar oceans, with Arctic waters warming rapidly, sea ice shrinking and wildlife losing habitat at both ends of the planet, an annual report said Wednesday. The Copernicus Ocean State Report depicts profound changes across the world's seas, from record-breaking heatwaves in the Mediterranean and Black seas to shifts in marine ecosystems and increasingly acidic waters.

Syria: An exclusive look at the integration of Uyghur fighters in armed forces

Several factions of foreign fighters are credited with helping topple Syria's Bashar al-Assad nearly two years ago - among them, the Uyghurs, a predominantly Muslim, Turkic ethnic minority spread across Central Asia - notably in China's Xinjiang region. They eventually became amongst the largest contingents of foreign fighters in Syria, though those who have stayed and built lives there are notoriously secretive. However, France 24's Wassim Nasr was recently in Syria and had exclusive access to Uyghur fighters there.

‘Attempted terror attack’: What happened on board the rerouted Flydubai flight?

The co-pilot of a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv ​tried ‌to crash the plane after stabbing the pilot, but passengers then ⁠held him down while other pilots landed the plane safely in Saudi Arabia, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said ‌on Wednesday.

US Supreme Court clears way for Tennessee execution of woman for murder

A US appeals court ordered a "short stay of execution" for death row inmate Christa Pike, less than two hours before she was scheduled to be the first woman put to death in the state in more than two centuries. The court halted the execution to give it time to consider Pike's claims that her history of severe sexual abuse had not been taken into consideration during sentencing.

Russia ramps up disinformation attacks on French media ahead of 2027 Presidential race

Pro-Russian influence operations have caused a surge of 850% in fake news stories mimicking real media brands, according to a report published this week by disinformation specialist, NewsGuard. Out of the 15 most imitated news outlets, eight are French – including FRANCE 24.

Prosecutor reopens probe into Cornell gang rape allegations

A New York prosecutor has reopened an investigation into gang rape allegations at a Cornell University fraternity in response to a lawsuit filed by a woman who says she was sexually assaulted in 2024 by seven students after being plied with alcohol and drugs. Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten said Monday that his office will present evidence to a grand jury as he faces questions from the public about why there were no criminal prosecutions in the case. France 24's Annette Young, host of The 51 %, has more.

Macron says UK’s return to EU would be ‘excellent news’

French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday met Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez at the Moncloa Palace in Madrid on the second day of a two-day state visit. Speaking at a press conference alongside Sanchez, Macron outlined his strategies for addressing the crisis of democracy and the rise of what he described as "extremes," starting with massive investment in a "stronger Europe”.

Tom Cruise's 'Digger' divides critics as Zurich Film Festival stars steal the spotlight

This week on arts24's film show, an unrecognisable Tom Cruise takes a career gamble in "Digger", Alejandro González Iñárritu’s new satire, in which he plays an oil billionaire whose company initiates a world-ending ecological disaster. Critics are divided, but is an Oscar nomination possible? Also in cinemas this week, Anne Hathaway and Dakota Johnson star in the latest Colleen Hoover adaptation, "Verity".

What if art could help you live longer?

In this episode of Entre Nous, Delano D'Souza speaks to Daisy Fancourt, professor at University College London and a leading researcher on how the arts affects our brains and bodies. In her book "Art Cure" she draws on scientific evidence to show how the arts can transform our health and what her research suggests we should be doing to optimise the benefits.

Ex-TV anchor crowned as king in Uganda after succession fight

A former television news anchor was crowned king of Uganda's Tooro Kingdom on Tuesday, becoming the 13th monarch of the Batooro people in a ritual-laden coronation that ended a succession dispute. Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma succeeded King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, whose death ​last month from ‌cancer at age 34 triggered a feud, with his mother saying a previously undisclosed son was entitled to ⁠the throne.

Forced landing of Israel-bound flight: What we know so far

The Israeli government believes an incident on a flight from the United Arab Emirates to Israel, which diverted to Saudi Arabia after transmitting emergency signals on Wednesday, may have been an attempted "terror attack" by one of the pilots. France 24’s Shirli Sitbon takes a look at what we know about the incident so far, with many of the details still emerging.

Mixed reactions in Iraq on final day of US-led coalition withdrawal

The US military announced on Wednesday that it has completed the withdrawal of all American troops from Iraq, ending a 12-year mission to fight the Islamic State group. The last US troops left an air base in northern Iraq under a deal between Baghdad and Washington.

Why is the US withdrawing its troops from Iraq?

A US-led coalition deployed in Iraq more than a decade ago to fight jihadists concluded its mission on Wednesday, a move celebrated by the country's leaders, but which some fear will embolden pro-Iran armed factions. France 24's Angela Diffley takes a look at the security challenges facing the country and why the US has chosen this moment to take its troops out.

Eiffel Tower chief to step down after female staff scandal

The head of the company that runs the Eiffel Tower will step down at the end of the year after female staff at the landmark building in Paris were excluded during a visit by a Hindu religious group. The incident sparked outrage in France and prompted a staff walkout that saw the Eiffel Tower forced to close for a day.

'Cornell won't, we will': Student journalists 'relentlessly' reporting on university rape

PRESS REVIEW – Wednesday, September 30: The Cornell University gang rape investigation reopens. But first: university students and prisoners protest in Iran "in a rare show of dissent". Journalist Evan Gershkovich speaks about his 16 months in Russian prison. Bonus: what can we do to be less lonely? Finally, Fat Bear Week has chosen its winner.

'People have been buying into the detoxification of the National Rally.' says Andrew Smith

A French politics observers says the allegations of antisemitism against the President of France’s National Rally have really really damaged the party. Andrew Smith from Queen Mary University of London says people have been buying into the detoxification of the party, despite its legacy as an antisemitic and racist party. But that makes the allegations against Bardella this week even more shocking.

Medicine prices soar in Iran as US blockade and sanctions hit hard

Medication prices are soaring in Iran and some treatments have become hard to find, leaving patients and their families scrambling as a US blockade and stepped-up sanctions squeeze the country's pharmaceuticals industry.

Argentina shuns meat as purchasing plummets under Milei

In Argentina, a nation of meat lovers par excellence, where barbecuing is a ritual central to the national identity and the steaks are among the best in the world, meat consumption has now reached an all-time low. The reason: the drastic decline in purchasing power for most Argentines since Javier Milei took office. Our reporters explain.

‘A face lift once a month’: Growing pressure to conform amid the rise of Korea’s ‘K-Beauty’

In the last ten years, South Korea has established itself as a powerhouse of beauty and cosmetics. But, behind the innovative creams, serums, and treatments that have allowed so-called K-beauty to conquer the world, Korean society has also felt the impacts, and people now face rising social pressure to conform to new beauty standards. France 24’s Christina Yoon, Mélodie Sforza and Jan Camezind Broomby sent this report from Seoul.

Man City scandal: ‘Sham’ deals and inflated revenues

In what may be the biggest financial scandal in Premier League history, Manchester City have been found guilty of using "sham" commercial contracts as part of schemes to inflate revenue and understate costs by more than £900 million over nearly a decade, the Premier League said on Tuesday. The club, which denies wrongdoing, said in a statement that it would appeal.

Was Netanyahu warned of October 7 Hamas attacks?

Benjamin Netanyahu travelled secretly to the United Arab Emirates over the weekend, Israeli media has reported, to ask its leader to deny claims he had warned the Israeli prime minister about a looming Hamas threat ahead of the Palestinian militant group's Oct. 7, 2023 attack on southern Israel. Netanyahu himself has confirmed making the secret trip, but denies he urged his UAE counterpart to do anything of the kind. France 24’s Douglas Herbert takes a closer look.

Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri named Morocco’s first woman PM

The king of Morocco on Tuesday named Marrakesh mayor Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri the country's first woman prime minister after her centre-right Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) party won last week's parliamentary elections. El Mansouri joined the PAM in 2008 and was also the first woman to serve as mayor of Marrakesh, winning the office in 2009 before losing it six years later, then retaking it again in 2021.

Ethiopia's last Jews dream of visa for Israel

Ethiopia has one of the oldest Jewish communities in the world, rumoured to be the descendants of the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon in 950 BC. From the 1970s to 1990s, this community known as Beta Israel was persecuted under the Communist regime, and Israel evacuated more than 20,000 Ethiopian Jews in dramatic airlifts known as Operation Solomon and Operation Moses. But a few thousand were left behind.

Tensions mount as South Korea demands apology from North over mine blast

North Korea has this Wednesday rejected accusations that it planted the mines that injured three South Korean soldiers in the DMZ on September 21. In a statement, Kim Jo Jong, Kim Jong Un's powerful sister, threatened retaliation against the south if there is any escalation.

Attention turns to economy on final day of Macron’s visit to Spain

President Emmanuel Macron is in Spain for the final day of his two-day state visit, the first by a French president to the country since 2009. After being welcomed with a banquet at the Royal Palace by King Felipe VI on Tuesday, on today's agenda is the opening of the Franco-Spanish economic forum and a meeting with Spain's leftist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. Once economically ahead of Spain, France is now seeing Spain grow faster, as the Spanish economy has outpaced its French neighbour in recent years.

Trump puts trust in AI bosses to ‘police themselves’

As fears mount over the safety of rapidly advancing AI models, US President Donald Trump gathered tech leaders at the White House on Tuesday where he said they signed a "morally binding" commitment to self-regulate and build adequate safeguards on the fast-moving technology. "They're going to police themselves," Trump said after the meeting.

‘The country has become a battlefield’: Last US troops exit Iraq

The last US troops in Iraq, part of a coalition to fight the Islamic State group, were slated to leave the country on Wednesday under an agreement between Baghdad and Washington. As the Iraqi army officially takes over the coalition’s remaining bases, the government is seeking to strengthen its military capabilities and reaffirm its sovereignty.

Israel-bound flight diverted to Saudi Arabia after brawl between pilots

An Israel-bound FlyDubai passenger plane was diverted to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after a fight broke out between its two pilots, according to Israeli media. The plane transmitted an emergency signal shortly after takeoff, briefly raising fears that it may have been hijacked. All passengers onboard are safe.

Ian Bremmer: 'We have passed peak Trump in terms of disruption on the global stage'

François Picard is pleased to welcome Ian Bremmer, the American political scientist, author, and founder and president of Eurasia Group and GZERO Media. According to Bremmer, we may now be entering the autumn of the “Donroe Doctrine” and the MAGA era: an “America First” isolationist approach in which President Donald J. Trump envisions a return to “greatness” in Gilded Age fashion. But is this the America voters had envisioned?

2027 AFCON qualifiers: first win for Patrick Vieira and Senegal

In the 2027 AFCON qualifiers, Patrick Vieira won his first match as Senegal’s new manager. Senegal secured a 1-0 away victory against Ethiopia thanks to a goal from Ibrahim Mbaye.

Live: Several people killed as Russia launches new round of strikes on Kyiv

At least three people, including a child, have died after Russia launched another round of strikes on Kyiv and its surrounding regions overnight to Wednesday, officials said. Several people were also wounded in the attacks. In Poland, two airports, in Lublin and Rzeszow, were briefly shut over “military aviation activity” during Russian attacks on Ukraine. Follow our liveblog for all the latest updates.

Trump’s tariffs loom over talks as G20 meets in US

Trade ministers of the Group of 20 are meeting in Milwaukee for two days of talks on Wednesday, but US President Donald Trump’s tariffs are expected to hang heavy over the talks. "Don't expect any breakthroughs," an analyst watching the event said.