News : France24

Today

Netanyahu says Israel wants to ‘control but not govern’ Gaza as security cabinet convenes

Ahead of a security cabinet meeting on the future of the war, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that his government plans to take full military control of Gaza but does not want to "govern" it. The statement comes amid growing domes

Read the article

Researchers race to predict wildfire behaviour as France battles biggest blaze in decades

The fire currently raging in France’s southern Aude region has already swept through an area larger than Paris. As large-scale wildfires become a bigger threat due to climate change, researchers in France are now working to model their behaviour in order

Read the article

Relatives of hostages protest with Gaza flotilla ahead of Israeli security meeting

Relatives of Israeli hostages sailed in a flotilla toward Gaza, waving flags and posters of their loved ones held by Hamas, calling for international support. The protest comes ahead of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s security cabinet meeting Thursday, where

Read the article

Ballon d'Or 2025: PSG dominate nominations as Rodri, Messi and Ronaldo miss cut

The 2025 Ballon d'Or award will see a fresh winner for the second consecutive year, with last year's recipient Rodrigo Hernández Cascante, "Rodri", absent from the 30-man shortlist announced on Thursday. Players from Paris Saint-Germain dominate the list

Read the article

Israel's Netanyahu says wants to take control of all of Gaza, doesn't intend to 'govern' it

Prime Minister Netanyahu told Fox News that Israel does not intend to govern Gaza permanently but 'intend to take control', remove Hamas, and hand over administration to a new authority. He said no detailed military plan exists yet, ahead of a crucial ca

Read the article

Massive wildfire devastates southern France, dozens of homes lost

As more than 200 firefighters continue battling the largest wildfire France has seen in nearly 80 years, FRANCE 24's journalist Carys Garland is on the ground among the burnt-out homes. Residents from about 15 villages have been evacuated, and dozens of

Read the article

French wildfires reignite debate over vanishing 'fire break' vineyards

As wildfires rip through southern France's Aude region, winemakers and farmers are blaming their rapid spread on the loss of moisture-rich vineyards that once acted as natural firebreaks, sparking fresh calls to preserve them as climate change fuels incr

Read the article

French court to rule on bee-killing pesticide that drew 2 million protest signatures

France's top constitutional court is set to rule Thursday on a controversial pesticide bill that would allow the reintroduction of acetamiprid, a chemical banned since 2018 due to its harm to pollinators and ecosystems. The bill has drawn public outrage,

Read the article

'Wildfires in south of France becoming more widespread, challenging to manage over past 10-15 years'

France’s largest wildfire in decades continued to burn and spread Thursday, though at a slower pace, after having already ravaged more than 160 square kilometers (62 square miles) in the south of the country and claiming one life, local authorities said.

Read the article

Trump-Putin meeting agreed for 'coming days', Kremlin says

US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin could hold a summit as early as next week, according to the Kremlin. The possible meeting comes as Trump pushes to end Russia’s military assault on Ukraine, just a day after Putin met with US

Read the article

Trump calls on Middle Eastern countries to join Abraham Accords

US President Donald Trump said Thursday that expanding the Abraham Accords, which he brokered during his first presidency in 2020 to normalise ties between Israel and several Muslim-majority countries, is key to achieving Middle East peace. Efforts to ex

Read the article

Netanyahu’s far-right coalition: What’s next for the West Bank and Gaza?

Since the November 2022 elections, Israel has been led by its most right-wing government ever. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returned to power through a coalition with far-right parties, including ultranationalists and Jewish supremacists. Facing cor

Read the article

'Plastic pollution really begins when we're making plastics and extracting oil, gas from the ground'

The 184 countries gathering to forge a landmark treaty on combating plastic pollution are seeking a way forward to tackle a global crisis wrecking ecosystems and trashing the oceans. For in-depth analysis and a deeper perspective, FRANCE 24's Eve Irvine

Read the article

France's Macron urges tougher line in standoff with Algeria

President Emmanuel Macron urged a tougher line from Paris in an intensifying standoff with former north African colony Algeria, saying France's stance needed to 'command respect'. Tensions have grown in recent months to new levels between Paris and Algie

Read the article

France faces largest wildfire in decades

Firefighters are battling a massive wildfire in Southeastern France’s Aude department. Since Tuesday, the fire has burned an area 1.5 times larger than Paris. One person has died, and three are missing. Dry, windy conditions are fueling the country’s lar

Read the article

EU faces major export decline amid sluggish growth in key member states

The United States has begun charging higher tariffs on goods from dozens of trading partners in a major escalation of President Donald Trump's drive to reshape global commerce in America's favour. For in-depth analysis and a deeper perspective on the esc

Read the article

UK detains first migrants to be returned to France under 'one-in, one-out' deal

The UK has detained a first group of migrants slated to be returned to France under a deal struck between Paris and London last month to curb the number of people attempting to cross the Channel in small boats, the country's Home Office said Thursday.

Read the article

'As with Maidan and other revolutions in Ukraine, civic mobilisation is an extremely effective tool'

Ukraine has appointed a new head of an economic crimes investigation unit, after rolling back an attempt to overhaul its anti-corruption agencies following public protests and concerns from key allies. Oleksandr Tsyvinsky, a renowned anti-graft detective

Read the article

Flash floods and landslides hit Himalayan village, dozens missing

Rescue teams in northern India are struggling with heavy rain and blocked roads following a deadly flash flood and landslides in a Himalayan village earlier this week, which left dozens missing and four dead. Disaster relief workers and the military are

Read the article

More than half of French admit to faking vacation stories on social media

We tend to share only the most glamorous moments of our lives on social media, but have you ever lied about your vacation? A poll reveals that over half of French people admit to doing so whether it’s about the destination, the weather, or the vibe of th

Read the article

US to punish India with 50% tariffs as punishment for buying Russian oil

US President Donald Trump has vowed additional 25% tariff on India for its purchases of Russian oil, bringing the combined tariffs imposed by the United States on its ally to 50%. India has called the additional tariffs 'unfortunate'. Trump's Wednesday a

Read the article

Trump signals possible meeting with Putin on Ukraine ceasefire

US President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin is highly likely soon, following constructive talks between US envoy Steve Witkoff and Putin earlier that day. However, Secretary of State Marco Rubio cauti

Read the article

France's biggest wildfire of the summer has eclipsed the size of Paris and is still spreading

France’s biggest wildfire in years was spreading quickly Wednesday in a Mediterranean region near Spain after leaving one person dead and several injured, authorities said. The fire burned an area larger than Paris, and the military was called in to help

Read the article

Putin says 'conditions' for talks not met as Zelensky pushes for meeting with Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday the "conditions" were not yet in place for a face-to-face meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky, hours after the Ukrainian president said he was willing to meet for talks on ending the war. The comments come amid

Read the article

Italy gives final go-ahead for landmark Sicily bridge project

Italy's government gave final approval on Wednesday to the construction of what will be the world's longest single-span bridge, linking Sicily to the mainland, despite environmental, financial and other concerns that have delayed it for decades. The 3.7-

Read the article

US begins collecting Trump's new global tariffs

On "T-Day," the US began enforcing Trump's new tariffs, raising average rates from 2% to 15% after a 90-day pause allowed some countries to negotiate reduced deals while others, like India and Brazil, faced hikes. These tariffs have generated over $150 b

Read the article

French firefighters struggle to contain biggest wildfire since 1949

France is grappling with its largest wildfire in nearly 80 years, with the three-day blaze still raging near the border with Spain. As of Thursday, at least one person has been killed and three more are missing.

Read the article

Third-hottest July on record worsens droughts, floods and fires

The world experienced its third-hottest July on record last month, the European climate monitoring service said Thursday, with parts of Asia and Scandinavia suffering record-high temperatures even as the global average dipped slightly.

Read the article

The Bright Side: Cockatoos have at least 30 distinct dance moves, Australian researchers find

Australia's famously cheeky cockatoos can perform at least 30 distinct dance moves, researchers found, with documented dances ranging from headbanging and body rolls to a deceptively simple sidestep.

Read the article

Humanitarian situation in Gaza still very severe, EU official says

Humanitarian operations in the besieged Gaza Strip continue to be undermined by "significant obstructive factors", an EU official told Reuters Thursday following an update from the bloc's foreign policy and humanitarian arms. The official described the h

Read the article

Myanmar's junta-picked acting president Myint Swe dies after a long illness

Myint Swe, the figurehead acting president handpicked by the military junta that seized power from Myanmar's democratically elected government in 2021, died on Thursday after a long illness, the junta said. Myint Swe had been suspended since July due to

Read the article

Nice falls to Benfica (0-2) in the first leg of the Champions League third qualifying round

Nice’s hopes of reaching the Champions League group stage took a hit. They lost 0-2 at home to Benfica in the first leg of the third qualifying round. The return leg will be played on Tuesday in Lisbon, and Nice will need a major upset to advance to the

Read the article

New Trump tariffs take effect, plunging dozens of countries into economic uncertainty

US President Donald Trump's sweeping "reciprocal" tariffs took effect on Thursday, kickstarting a new stage of uncertainty for dozens of trading partners, including allies, and casting fears of an economic backlash domestically.

Read the article

Deadly France wildfire grows past the size of Paris

France 24 journalist Carys Garland reports from southern France, where a deadly wildfire expanded to cover an area larger than Paris, with firefighters struggling to keep the blaze from spreading. French officials said the "unprecedented" scale of the fi

Read the article

Trump increases India tariffs to 50% for buying Russian oil

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order to impose an additional 25 percent tariff on India over its purchase of Russian oil, bringing the total duties on the energy-starved country to 50 percent as Trump attempts to force an end

Read the article

Trump praises progress with Russia following Witkoff meeting with Putin

David Smith, the head of The Guardian's Washington bureau, joined France 24 to discuss US President Donald Trump's cautious encounter with the press when asked whether a breakthrough on ending the war in Ukraine had been reached during an earlier meeting

Read the article

World Cup host Morocco accused of indiscriminately culling stray dogs

Morocco, which will host the 2030 football World Cup, has denied accusations by animal welfare groups that it is systematically culling stray dogs ahead of the event. Authorities maintain that they have been neutering and vaccinating stray dogs before re

Read the article

Putin meeting over Ukraine war likely to happen 'very soon', says Trump

After weeks of tense back-and-forths over Russia's unrelenting offensives in Ukraine, US President Donald Trump said Wednesday he could personally meet Russian President Vladimir Putin "very soon". Trump's announcement follows what he called "great progr

Read the article

South Africa braces for job losses as US tariffs kick in

South Africa fears significant job losses, especially in the farmers and automobile industries, due to a 30% US tariff on its imports after failing to secure a trade deal before President Trump's deadline. In response, South African President Cyril Ramap

Read the article

Flames threaten homes and livelihoods as southern France wildfire rages

Evacuated residents in southern France fear losing their homes as the country’s largest wildfire this summer continues to burn. One person has died, and thousands of hectares and dozens of homes have been destroyed. Strong winds are complicating firefigh

Read the article

'Highest tariffs since Great Depression': In 1930's, trade plummeted and global depression deepened

President Donald Trump began levying higher import taxes on 60 countries and the European Union, just as the economic fallout of his monthslong tariff threats has begun to create visible damage for the US economy. Trump expects the EU, Japan and South Ko

Read the article

Yesterday

Apple to invest $100 billion in US as Trump doubles down on 100% tariffs on semiconductors

President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that Apple will pledge an additional $100 billion to its initial $500 billion investment in the US over the next four years and said he would impose a 100 percent tariff on semiconductors, in Trump's latest push t

Read the article

Ghana defence and environment ministers killed in helicopter crash

Flags in Ghana are set to fly at half-mast as the country mourns the deaths of the defence and environment ministers, who were both killed in a military helicopter crash. Edward Omane Boamah and Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed were among five passengers aboard

Read the article

ICE agents stage 'Trojan Horse' raid in Los Angeles despite court ban

US immigration agents carried out a surprise raid outside a Home Depot store in Los Angeles on Wednesday, detaining 16 people and using a decoy moving truck. The operation, dubbed "Operation Trojan Horse" by officials, has drawn sharp criticism from righ

Read the article

Macron seeks to end visa exemptions for Algerian diplomats amid deportation row

French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday ordered tighter visa restrictions on Algerian diplomats, escalating a diplomatic dispute over Algeria's refusal to accept deported nationals. The move comes amid worsening ties following France's recognition

Read the article

Dozens of Palestinians killed seeking aid as Israel mulls full occupation of Gaza

At least 63 Palestinians were killed overnight and into Wednesday in the Gaza Strip, according to local health officials, who said 38 of that number died seeking food aid from UN convoys and US-run Gaza Humanitarian Foundation sites. The surge in violenc

Read the article

Failing to tackle climate change will mean more wildfires ahead

France’s biggest wildfire this summer was spreading quickly Wednesday in a Mediterranean region near the Spanish border after leaving one person dead, authorities said. The fire had burned an area larger than Paris. French Prime Minister François Bayrou

Read the article

Trump hikes India’s tariffs by 25% for buying Russian oil, bringing total to 50%

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order imposing an additional 25 percent tariff on goods from India, raising total US tariffs on the country to 50 percent. The move, effective in 21 days, is aimed at pressuring both India and Ru

Read the article

Ghana’s defence, environment ministers among 8 killed in helicopter crash

Ghana's defence and environment chiefs were killed in a helicopter crash on Wednesday along with six others, the presidency said. The incident comes at a time of heightened regional security concerns amid rising jihadist activity near Ghana's northern b

Read the article

Italy approves $15.5B plan for longest suspension bridge to Sicily

Italy cleared the way Wednesday to build the world’s largest suspension bridge linking the Italian mainland with Sicily in a massive 13.5 billion euro ($15.5 billion) infrastructure project that has been long delayed by debates over its scale, earthquake

Read the article

Nuclear weapons states no longer respect 'legal commitment to non-proliferation treaty'

Hiroshima has marked the 80th anniversary of the US atomic bombing of the western Japanese city, with many aging survivors expressing frustration about the growing support of global leaders for nuclear weapons as a deterrence. With the number of survivor

Read the article

France: In Aude, the largest wildfire of the summer

The largest wildfire of the summer in France has already burned through 15,000 hectares of vegetation in less than 24 hours in Aude, leaving at least one person dead, several seriously injured, and one missing.

Read the article

'The memories of the horrors of nuclear war and radiation seem to be lost on today's leaders'

Hiroshima on Wednesday marked the 80th anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing of the western Japanese city, with many aging survivors expressing frustration about the growing support of global leaders for nuclear weapons as a deterrence. The bombing of H

Read the article

Wildfire in southern France surpasses the size of Paris, continues to spread

France's biggest wildfire of the summer is still spreading after surpassing the size of Paris, authorities said on Wednesday, with Prime Minister François Bayrou calling it a "catastrophe on an unprecedented scale". The blaze has burned over 13,000 hecta

Read the article

Space race: US aims to beat out China and Russia with nuclear reactor on the Moon

NASA’s interim chief Sean Duffy has made deploying a nuclear reactor on the Moon his top priority, framing the effort as a "second space race". Washington hopes to beat Beijing and Moscow to powering a future lunar base with nuclear energy.

Read the article

Hezbollah rejects Lebanese government's plans to disarm the group

Hezbollah on Wednesday condemned the Lebanese government's decision to restrict weapons to official state forces by year's end, saying the plan serves Israeli and US interests. Hezbollah accused Prime Minister Nawaf Salam's government of bowing to US dem

Read the article

Man lights cigarette from French war memorial

Police arrested a man in Paris who was filmed using the flame of a WW1 memorial to light his cigarette. The incident, which the country’s interior minister called “indecent and pathetic”, sparked outrage on social media. The so-called Tomb of the Unknown

Read the article

US Health Secretary to cancel $500 million in vaccine development projects

The Department of Health and Human Services will cancel contracts and pull funding for some vaccines that are being developed to fight respiratory viruses like COVID-19 and the flu. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the health secretary and a longtime vaccine criti

Read the article

World's longest suspension bridge to link Sicily to the mainland

Italy on Wednesday gave the final approval for a €13.5 billion ($15.6 billion) project to construct the world’s longest suspension bridge, linking Sicily to the mainland. After decades of planning and much debate, a ministerial committee granted the gree

Read the article

No, these videos of restaurants do not disprove famine in Gaza

For several weeks now, the pro-Israeli account Gazawood has been claiming that the famine in Gaza is staged. To back up its claims, it has been sharing videos of cafés and restaurants that are still in operation, claiming that they show that there is no

Read the article