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French jihadist linked to Charlie Hebdo attackers sentenced to life in prison

Europe • 6:14 PM

Peter Cherif, a suspected French jihadist who was close to the perpetrators of the 2015 Charlie Hebdo massacre, was sentenced on Thursday to life in prison. Cherif fought for al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) in Yemen from 2011 to 2018, during whi

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Iran’s missile attack sends a message – but can it deter the Israeli offensive in Lebanon?

Iran launched a retaliatory missile barrage on Israeli military infrastructure Tuesday in response to Israel’s killing of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah last week and Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in July. The largely thwarted attack was seen b

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UK cedes Chagos Islands to Mauritius in deal securing Diego Garcia military base

The UK agreed on Thursday to renounce sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, an archipelago of more than 60 islands in the Indian Ocean, but agreed a deal with Mauritius to secure the future of a UK-US military base on the island of Diego Garcia.

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Saoirse Ronan on 'The Outrun', 'Blitz' and why Irish actors are having a renaissance

Culture • 3:05 PM

Four-time Oscar-nominated Irish actress Saoirse Ronan speaks to Eve Jackson about her heart-wrenching addiction drama "The Outrun", based on Amy Liptrot's memoir. Known for "Lady Bird" and "Little Women" in German filmmaker Nora Fingscheidt's film, Ronan

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Macron hosts Francophone leaders in bid to boost French influence

France • 2:07 PM

President Emmanuel Macron hosts the "Francophonie" summit this week in a bid to bolster French clout in a conflict-ridden world, in particular Africa. Chad President Mahamat Idriss Deby, an ally of France and regular visitor to Paris, will be a prominent

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Is it becoming impossible to drive in Paris?

France • 1:18 PM

Buckle up! In this week's show, FRANCE 24's Florence Villeminot takes you on a spin to discover driving culture in Paris. The French capital is famous around the world for its beautiful sights and towering monuments, but it also has the reputation of bei

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EU sues Hungary for criminalising groups that receive foreign funding, including NGOs

The European Commission said on Thursday it was suing Hungary over a law that imposes jail terms for groups that accept foreign funds for political causes, which rights groups say is aimed at silencing critics of the government by targeting civil society

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Conservationist Patricia Wright on finding a new rainforest in Madagascar

Africa • 11:31 AM

A world-renowned naturalist and environmentalist, who is credited with discovering a new species of lemur, has spoken to FRANCE 24 about her latest discovery. Dr Patricia Wright has found a 14-square-kilometre tropical rainforest in a remote part of Mada

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Tunisians divided over leader Kais Said ahead of presidential election

Africa • 11:04 AM

Ahead of Tunisia's presidential election scheduled for October 6, many Tunisians are taking stock of the past five years under the presidency of Kais Saied. The country remains divided between his long-term supporters, and opponents who say the regime is

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Jewish pilgrims journey from Israel to Ukraine, leaving one war for another

More than 30,000 Orthodox Jewish pilgrims are thought to have congregated in the Ukrainian city of Uman for Rosh Hashanah, a key holiday in the Jewish calendar, some leaving war in the Middle East to brave the conflict still raging in eastern Europe.

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ChatGPT maker OpenAI sees value nearly double to $157 billion after new funding round

OpenAI, the company behind artificial Intelligence chatbot ChatGTP, has secured new financing to the tune of $6.6 billion from a variety of investors. The start-up is now valued at $157 billion, on par with such groups as Uber or AT&T. It will have to co

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France orders more deportation flights to Africa from Indian Ocean island of Mayotte

French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau has ordered local officials in the overseas territory of Mayotte to deport illegal migrants from the Democratic Republic of Congo and return them to their home country, taking a hard line as he aims to address th

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Keir Starmer repays more than £6,000 in gifts, including cost of Taylor Swift tickets

Europe • 5:53 AM

PRESS REVIEW – Thursday, October 3: The Israeli press urges caution as tensions heighten in the Middle East, whereas the Iranian press strikes a more bullish tone. Elsewhere, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer repays more than £6,000 in gifts after a do

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Top Haiti officials guilty of corruption, anti-graft agency says

Haiti's political stability was dealt another blow on Wednesday when the country's Unit for Combating Corruption published a report accusing three members of the island's transitional presidential council of demanding over $750,000 in bribes, further chi

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Trump not entitled to immunity for efforts to overturn 2020 election, US special counsel says

Just over a month before the 2024 presidential election, the special counsel overseeing Donald Trump's election interference trial revealed a sweeping 165-page motion alleging the former US president is not entitled to presidential immunity for his role

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New NATO chief Mark Rutte reaffirms support for Ukraine in Kyiv trip

Europe • 12:35 AM

During his maiden trip as NATO Secretary General, Mark Rutte met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv and pledged support to Ukraine in its war with Russia. Ukraine faces a critical few months over the winter as Russian forces continue adv

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Yesterday

🔴 Live: Israel targets Hezbollah HQ in Beirut as border clashes continue

Israel's military said Thursday it had hit Hezbollah's intelligence headquarters in the Lebanese capital of Beirut, as its troops battled militants near the border and warplanes bombarded their strongholds around the country. The strike came after the Le

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Lille stun Real Madrid in Champions League as Slot makes Liverpool history

Two Champions League giants fell on Wednesday, as holders Real Madrid and perennial contenders Bayern Munich suffered shock losses to underdogs Lille and Aston Villa, respectively. 2019 champions Liverpool continued their fine form, while Benfica crushed

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Biden, Harris visit Hurricane Helene worst-hit areas

Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are visiting some of the areas worst hit by Hurricane Helene this Wednesday, as residents struggle with the fallout from the storm, that killed 175 people during its rampage through South-eastern US states. Government agencies

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Kenya: Locals want 'Turkana Boy' to come home to cradle of humanity

Africa • 9:37 PM

A skeleton billed as being the oldest complete human remains ever found is at the heart of Kenya's latest tourism campaign. "Turkana Boy" is a symbol of the country's positioning as the cradle of humanity. But people living near the site where the archae

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US is senior partner in relationship but Israel driving conversation, analyst says

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is thought to be weighing up a range of options, following his pledge to come down hard on Iran. FRANCE 24's Sharon Gaffney speaks to Bilal Y. Saab, Head of the US-Middle East practice and an associate fellow at

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Iran missile attack: Debunking video of Netanyahu 'running to his bunker' and more

Following the barrage of Iranian missiles fired at Israel on Tuesday, a barrage of misinformation also flooded social media. We debunk the fake claims in this edition of Truth or Fake.

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Mystery deaths and mass layoffs: Europe’s green battery dream Northvolt turns sour

Northvolt was a shiny new startup with a pretty logo that promised to “make oil history” by making the cleanest electric car battery the world had ever seen. The Swedish company founded in 2016 was seen as a huge driver for Europe’s dream to become carbo

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Biden, Harris travel to areas devastated by deadly Hurricane Helene

Amid ongoing rescue efforts US President Joe Biden and and Vice President Kamala Haris visited areas in North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia hit by calamitous flooding in the wake of hurricane Helene. Biden said the devastated areas will require "a

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How will Israel respond?

After a string of setbacks and humiliations that include the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Lebanon, Iran has fired its long-range missiles directly at Israel. As Binyamin Netanyahu and his generals ponder their next move, there are obvi

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Missile barrage on Israel: What were the 'hypersonic' weapons used by Iran?

On October 1, 2024, Israel faced one of the largest missile barrages in modern history. Iranian state media said the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched around 200 ballistic missiles of various types at Israeli targets, including so-called

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Tawfik Alzaidi's 'Norah' marks Saudi Arabia's arrival at Cannes Film Festival

Culture • 3:06 PM

Depicting a young woman yearning for freedom and suffocated by village life, "Norah" is a striking account of provincial life in the Saudi Arabia of the 1990s. The film was shown at this year's Cannes Film Festival. Director and writer Tawfik Alzaidi joi

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In Ukraine’s Lyman, printed press becomes vital link to outside world

Print media might be struggling in many parts of the world, but it has become a vital link to the outside world for isolated communities near Ukraine's front lines. In the battle-scarred Ukrainian city of Lyman, Russian bombardments frequently cut power

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Breast cancer awareness month: Targeted therapies offer hope

This October marks the 30th edition of Pink October, an entire month in France dedicated to raising awareness and promoting breast cancer screening. Each year, some 61,000 new cases are diagnosed, and 12,600 women die from the disease in France. Breast c

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Afghan athlete under police protection slams gender apartheid as 'crime against humanity'

FRANCE 24 spoke to Marzieh Hamidi, a former taekwondo champion for Afghanistan who has been a refugee in France since 2021, when the Taliban returned to power. In late August of this year, she posted a video on social media denouncing "gender apartheid"

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Romania's agriculture sector devastated by drought, desertification

In Romania, extreme weather events are intensifying. While eastern parts of the country are slowly recovering from Storm Boris, the south is suffering from drought and desertification. Romania is one of the EU's main exporters of cereals, but heatwaves h

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Oil prices on the rise after escalation of Middle East violence

Global benchmarks for oil prices were steadily rising on Wednesday, a day after Iran fired a barrage of missiles against Israel in retaliation for the Israeli army's offensive against Hezbollah. In this edition, FRANCE 24's Charles Pellegrin explains why

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Israel's air defense system limits casualties from Iranian missiles, as Tehran awaits retaliation

Israel's Iron Dome air defense system limited the damage from Iran's missile barrage on Tuesday, while Tehran now prepares for Israeli reprisals. FRANCE 24's Philip Turle says Israel will not be deterred from taking military action by calls for restraint

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What does the EU embezzlement trial mean for Le Pen and the French far right?

Marine Le Pen and other senior figures within France’s far-right National Rally party are standing trial on charges of having embezzled millions in European Parliament funds to finance the party’s own political activities. Marta Lorimer, lecturer in poli

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Tensions on a knife-edge in Middle East as Iran launches missile strike against Israel

PRESS REVIEW – Wednesday, October 2: We look at reactions and analysis after Iran fired at least 180 missiles at Israel. The local and international press question how Israel will retaliate, as well as to what extent the United States will get involved,

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Several killed in attack in Tel Aviv shortly before Iranian missiles target Israel

Two gunmen opened fire on passers-by at a light rail station in Tel Aviv on Tuesday in a suspected terrorist attack that killed at least seven people and injured nine others. Police said the attackers were residents of the Palestinian city of Hebron in t

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World leaders call for de-escalation after Iran's missile attack on Israel

World leaders called for restraint on Tuesday after Iran launched its biggest missile attack yet against arch-foe Israel, while the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas hailed the attack, calling it "revenge for the blood of our heroic martyrs".

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Conflict with Israel comes when Lebanon is at its most vulnerable point

France 24's correspondent in Beirut provides an overview of the escalating conflict, which comes after Lebanon has suffered a series of economic and societal shocks.

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A composed performance from JD Vance in debate with Tim Walz

Debate between vice presidential candidates JD Vance and Tim Walz was a surprisingly polite affair, though the Republican Vance gave the more assured performance.

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Walz and Vance spar over policy in polite US vice presidential debate

Vice presidential hopefuls Tim Walz and JD Vance squared off Tuesday night in a surprisingly civil debate, instead saving their fire for the top of their tickets, Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican former President Donald Trump.

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Greenland extends detention of anti-whaling activist Paul Watson

Europe • 2:39 AM

The founder of the envorinmental group Sea Shepherd was arrested in July when his ship docked in Greenland to refuel on the way to intecept a Japanese whaling vessel. He is being held on a Japanese arrest warrant pending a decision on his extradition.

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Death toll from Hurricane Helene tops 150 in US as crews search for survivors

The death toll from Hurricane Helene passed 150 on Tuesday as rescue workers used helicopters to get past destroyed bridges in isolated areas battered by the storm. Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris will travel to Georgia to survey the impa

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Israel says eight of its soldiers killed in clashes with Hezbollah in south Lebanon

Israel said eight of its soldiers died on Wednesday in clashes with Hezbollah in south Lebanon. Tensions in the Middle East spiralled in the past 48 hours after Israel began what it describes as a "limited, localised and targeted" ground operation in Leb

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Spain welcomes record 21.8 million summer vistors as overtourism sparks protests

A record number of tourists travelled to Spain in summer 2024 amid protests from residents who blame tourists for degrading living conditions. Although the high figures were a boon for the economy, Spain should "transform" its model for the tourism secto

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The significance of Russia's capture of the Ukrainian stronghold of Vuhledar

Europe • 12:35 AM

Russian troops took control of Vuhledar in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region on Wednesday, opening the way for Russian forces to advance toward other towns in the region. Both sides value Vuhledar due to its position on elevated ground at the intersection

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Tuesday, october 1, 2024

Arsenal beat PSG, Dortmund demolish Celtic in Champions League rout

Arsenal beat Paris Saint-Germain 2-0 on Tuesday in a Champions League match in a London. 25-year-old Kai Havertz put Arsenal on the path to victory with a well-timed run and header in the 20th minute. Borussia Dortmund thrashed Celtic 7-1 in Germany. Amo

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No, this video does not show an Israeli ground invasion of Lebanon

A viral video claims to show "Israel's deadly commandos" landing in Lebanon for a ground invasion. But the video was actually taken in Gaza. We tell you more in this edition of Truth or Fake.

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Rwandan ex-doctor goes on trial in France accused of genocide

Africa • 8:27 PM

In tonight's edition: a former Rwandan doctor is on trial in Paris for allegedly helping destroy evidence of some of the killings during the 1994 genocide. Also, Kenyan lawmakers have started the process of removing the country's deputy president from of

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Houthi rebels again attack commercial ships in Red Sea

Yemen's Houthi rebels claimed attacks on an oil tanker and another commercial vessel in the Red Sea on Tuesday, the first such attacks in weeks. The Iran-backed militants started targeting merchant ships last year in support of Hamas in Gaza, prompting

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Sean 'Diddy' Combs faces more than 100 new rape and sex assault allegations

More than 100 people, including dozens of children, who say they were victims of rape, sexual assault and sexual exploitation at the hands of Sean "Diddy" Combs are to sue the US rap star, a lawyer said Tuesday.

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Iran attacks Israel: Who to stop the spiral?

It's only the second time that Iranian missiles have rained down on Israel. Tehran's pushback comes as no surprise to François Picard's panel after a string of humiliations that included last week's assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and

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'Easy' choice: Hezbollah’s likely new leader is Nasrallah's cousin, Hashem Safieddine

Just like his cousin Hassan Nasrallah – killed in a massive Israeli air raid on Hezbollah’s headquarters in the outskirts of southern Beirut on September 27 – Hashem Safieddine wears a black turban, a prestigious Shiite symbol marking him out as a descen

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Haiti’s displaced facing ‘catastrophic’ food insecurity

A new report has found that more than half of Haiti’s population is suffering from acute hunger amid political instability and a security crisis that has seen armed gangs take control of vast swaths of the country. The country’s large number of internall

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Louboutin, Valentino & Loewe celebrate 50 years of Paris Fashion Week

Culture • 2:35 PM

Fashion critic Samantha Tse speaks to Eve Jackson about the highlights of Paris Fashion Week, including Louboutin's swimming spectacle in stilettos, the return of Bella Hadid to the runway and our top picks including Alessandro Michele's debut at Valenti

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US dockworkers launch mass strike month before election

Tens of thousands of workers at major ports on the US East and Gulf Coasts went on strike Tuesday in action that could drag on the world's largest economy just ahead of the November presidential election. The International Longshoremen's Association (ILA

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Countries evacuate their nationals from Lebanon as Israel launches ground offensive

Israel launched a ground offensive in Lebanon on Tuesday, escalating a conflict against Hezbollah after a week of air strikes that have killed hundreds. Several countries have begun evacuating their nationals from Lebanon or are planning to do so. Here's

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In the footsteps of Mao Zedong: Chinese authorities encourage 'Red Tourism'

Pacific Asia • 10:53 AM

Exactly 75 years ago, Mao Zedong proclaimed the foundation of the People's Republic of China in front of crowds gathered in Beijing's Tiananmen Square. Ever since, October 1 has been a national holiday in China. To mark this anniversary, some Chinese peo

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Dockworkers in US Eastern & Gulf ports go on strike over pay demands

The union representing 45,000 dockworkers in the United States announced a strike at midnight on Tuesday in American ports all the way from Maine to Texas. The workers are asking for better pay and guarantees against automation as the shipping industry h

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Israel's ground operation in Lebanon: What next for this regional conflict?

PRESS REVIEW – Tuesday, October 1: We look at reactions and analysis from Lebanon and the Middle East as Israel begins a "limited" ground operation inside Lebanon in its fight against Hezbollah. What lies ahead for the region? Will Iran retaliate and how

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Mark Rutte takes over as new NATO chief, dismisses Trump concerns

NATO's new chief Mark Rutte took over the leadership of the military alliance from outgoing NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg at a ceremony in Brussels on Tuesday. In his acceptance speech, Rutte downplayed fears over the impact of a potential Donald Trump vic

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