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Today

French PM Bayrou says will force through contentious budget without a vote

France • 6:59 AM

French Prime Minister François Bayrou has warned that he will use special executive powers to force his government’s contentious 2025 budget through parliament without a vote – a move that is certain to trigger a no-confidence motion.

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Canada and Mexico hit back as Trump tariffs trigger trade war between allies

The leaders of Canada and Mexico have vowed tit-for-tat tariffs and China said it would complain to the World Trade Organization after US President Donald Trump announced sweeping new tariffs on all goods imported from America's three largest trading par

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Yesterday

US conducts airstrikes against Islamic state group in Somalia

US President Donald Trump said he ordered military airstrikes to root out Islamic state (IS) group operatives in Somalia on Saturday, in an operation supported by Somalia’s government.

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Ireland douse England's fire to start Six Nations title defence with gritty win

A second-half blitz of tries carried Ireland to a 27-22 defeat of old rivals England in Dublin on Saturday as the Six Nations title holders got their campaign for a record third successive trophy off to a winning start.

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Students lead Danube bridge blockade in protest over Serbia's leadership

Europe • 6:08 PM

Serbia’s student population were the driving force behind mass demonstrations that blocked bridges over the River Danube in the city of Novi Sad on Saturday. Persistent protests have been part of a growing anti-corruption movement that forced the resigna

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Colombia, Venezuela launch joint operation to counter guerrilla groups

Colombia and Venezuela launched a joint operation to counter guerrilla groups that are fighting in the mountainous northeastern Catatumbo region. The violence broke out after the National Liberation Army (ELN) targeted rival armed groups and their allege

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A little girl sparkles in Oscar-nominated film – and shines a light on child labour

“Anuja”, a film directed by Adam Graves, was nominated for a 2025 Oscar in the live action short film category. The film, starring a former street child from New Delhi, examines the complex problem of child labour in India in a story packed with warmth,

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Sick and wounded Gazan children cross to Egypt for treatment

A group of 50 sick and wounded Palestinian children began crossing to Egypt through Gaza’s Rafah crossing on Saturday, in the first opening of the border since Israel captured it nearly nine months ago. With the health system in Gaza shut down, children

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Russian air strikes leave several dead, damage energy infrastructure in Ukraine

Europe • 3:10 PM

At least 11 people were killed on Saturday after Russia fired a torrent of drones and missiles on Ukraine, gutting dozens of residential buildings and damaging energy infrastructure across the country, according to Ukrainian officials.

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Gaza ceasefire enters 'new phase' with second round of talks poised to begin

The ceasefire in Gaza is entering a "new phase" as a second round of negotiations on the second stage of the truce is poised to begin on Monday. With Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu seemingly reluctant to resume peace talks, the ceasefire is at

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Sudanese paramilitary forces kill scores of civilians in attack on Khartoum market

At least 54 people were killed and 158 wounded at a market place in greater Khartoum on Saturday in a strike by the Sudanese paramilitary, according to Sudan's health authorities. The Rapid Support Forces have been locked in a brutal conflict with the co

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Trump to levy tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China

US President Donald Trump is set to unveil fresh tariffs Saturday on major trading partners Canada, Mexico and China, threatening upheaval across supply chains from energy to autos and raising inflation concerns. Trump has promised to impose 25 percent t

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Fighting stalls in eastern DR Congo following army offensive

Africa • 1:42 PM

A major offensive by Rwandan-backed M23 rebels in east Democratic Republic of Congo appeared to have stalled on Saturday after the army took back some ground, two civil society sources and a local official said. In Goma, life is slowly returning to norma

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'Very real' risk of ceasefire 'unravelling', expert says

There is a "very, very real" risk of the Gaza ceasefire "unravelling", Director and Co-Founder of NGO Forward Thinking Oliver McTernan told FRANCE 24, citing the fragile peace and emotionally charged atmosphere in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank. “It does

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Israel, Hamas complete latest ceasefire swap as Rafah crossing opens

Hamas freed three hostages in the southern Gaza Strip on Saturday and Israel released scores of Palestinian prisoners in a fourth round of exchanges as part the Gaza ceasefire deal. The swap came as sick and wounded Palestinian children began crossing to

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Second phase of ceasefire depends on Trump administration, specialist says

The second phase of the ceasefire in Gaza will largely depend on US President Trump’s administration which is currently in favour of pursuing negotiations, said Yossi Mekelberg, senior consulting fellow at MENAP, Chatham House. With talks set to resume M

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'Justice is being done': Joy and relief in West Bank with return of Palestinian prisoners

The release of some 180 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Israeli hostages held in Gaza has resulted in scenes of jubilation in the West Bank as families reunite with their loved ones. The overall joy is also accompanied by a sense that "justice is b

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Gunmen in Syria kill at least 10 in Alawite village, war monitor says

Gunmen killed at least 10 people in Syria on Friday in an attack on a village from former president Bashar al-Assad’s Alawite minority, in what the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights called a "massacre". The war monitor said the attacks “bear all the ha

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Gaza ceasefire: Palestinians returning from south to north a ‘big sign’ of optimism, journalist says

The return of displaced Palestinians from the south back to the north of the enclave is a “big sign” of optimism regarding the current ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, Palestinian journalist Shrouq Aila told FRANCE 24, adding “we are on track”.

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🔴 Buses carrying Palestinians released from Israeli prisons arrive in West Bank's Ramallah

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Israel to release 183 Palestinian prisoners in hostage swap

The Palestinian Authority’s commission of prisoners’ affairs says that a total of 183 Palestinian prisoners are slated for release Saturday in exchange for the three Israeli hostages held in Gaza. The release departs from the previous formula of 30 Pales

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'Deep concern' over released hostages' health

There is deep concern over the health of the three released hostages, FRANCE 24's Noga Tarnopolsky said, citing the men's overall frail look, adding that one of the hostages who was already known of having poor health – 65-year-old Keith Siegel – appeare

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Follow live: American-Israeli hostage Keith Siegel handed over to Red Cross in Gaza

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🔴 Follow live: Hamas hands over French-Israeli hostage Ofer Kalderon to Red Cross

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Israel releases Palestinian prisoners after Hamas frees three more hostages

Hamas on Saturday released three more hostages – Yarden Bibas, French-Israeli dual national Ofer Kalderon and American-Israeli Keith Siegel – in Gaza as part of its ceasefire deal with Israel. Shortly after, dozens of Palestinians held in Israeli jails w

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Trump set to unleash tariffs as critics warn of disruptions to supply chains

President Donald Trump is expected to impose hefty new tariffs Saturday on three key US trading partners -- Canada, Mexico and China -- in a move critics say could cause major disruptions to supply chains.

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Friday, january 31, 2025

France crush sorry Wales as Dupont marks Six Nations return in style

France captain Antoine Dupont lived up to expectations as the mercurial scrumhalf made his Six Nations comeback in style to lead France to a 43-0 crushing of Wales in this year's curtain riser on Friday.

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Three Israeli hostages set for release in exchange for 183 Palestinian prisoners

Hamas and Israel will conduct their next hostage-prisoner swap as part of the Gaza ceasefire on Saturday, with three Israelis to be released in exchange for 183 Palestinians held in Israeli jails.

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DR Congo's army slows M23 rebels' southern march

Africa • 9:26 PM

In tonight's edition: Calm returns to DR Congo's eastern city of Goma as M23 rebels advance south. Also, the Southern African Development Community holds a special meeting in Zimbabwe to discuss the situation in DR Congo. And in Kenya, it's time to fight

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Portugal’s radical approach to drug decriminalisation: A model for the rest of the world?

In 2001, Portugal embarked on an unprecedented shift in its drug policy, one that would attract global attention. Two decades on, the country’s experience continues to raise important questions about the possibilities and limits of such a radical transfo

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Goma, Gaza, Sudan's “Turning Point”? Trump & Co

Africa • 7:52 PM

This week, conflict and crisis dominate the headlines. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, M23 rebels have seized the key city of Goma, forcing thousands to flee and reigniting tensions over Rwanda’s alleged involvement. In Gaza, displaced civilians

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France seeks UN resolution to 'increase pressure on Rwanda' over DR Congo crisis

France is seeking support for a UN security council resolution that aims "increase the pressure on Rwanda" to withdraw its forces from the territory of the Democratic Republic of Congo, French UN Ambassador Nicolas Riviere said Friday.

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'A coalition with the far right in Germany is unthinkable': EPP leader Manfred Weber

The countdown is on to what is perhaps Europe's most important election of this year. On February 23, Germans go to the polls in a parliamentary vote, following the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s coalition in November. The conservative CDU-CSU is t

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Germany's parliament narrowly rejects immigration law amid controversy over far-right support

Europe • 5:58 PM

The German parliament narrowly rejected on Friday a bill sponsored by conservatives and the far right calling for stricter rules on immigration. Opposition leader Friedrich Merz said the new law was a necessary response to a series of high-profile killin

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Taking stock of Brexit, five years later: Opportunities grow for UK-EU ties

Europe • 5:36 PM

It's not the first time that the UK and the EU have expressed their readiness for a "reset" in relations. But now, five years after Britain left the European Union, there appears to be more momentum for making a reset happen, particularly with US Preside

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Why were so many Thai nationals taken hostage by Hamas?

Five Thai farmers were released by Hamas on Thursday, meaning nearly all of the 31 Thai hostages seized during the October 7 attack on Israel have been freed. How did so many Thai nationals end up being taken hostage that day?

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Medical jet crashes in Philadelphia in second US aviation disaster in days

A medical transport jet carrying a child patient, her mother and four others that slammed into a Philadelphia neighbourhood on Friday has left seven dead and wounded 19 others. The fatal crash comes just two days after a passenger jet and an army helicop

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Tragedy hits Maha Kumbh Mela: Indian festival continues despite deadly stampede

At least 30 people were killed and 60 others injured in northern India this week after a stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela. The official tally was released hours after the incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday morning. Days after the tragedy, s

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Grieving Brazilian mothers urge end to gun violence

In this edition, how amid grief comes strength. Mothers in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro who lost their children due to gang violence, form a support network which also fights for justice. Also South Africa has one of the highest rates of femicide

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TikTok limbo: US Congress stays quiet as Trump breaks its law

It’s becoming less clear by the day who is supposed to be buying TikTok. One of Donald Trump's first acts on his return as US president was to delay a ban on the Chinese-owned app, in order to find an American company for it to be sold to. But near the e

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Tributes flood in for British music icon Marianne Faithfull

Culture • 4:00 PM

From the death of 1960s music star Marianne Faithfull, to Lady Gaga, Billie Eilish and Katie Perry performing at a huge benefit concert in Los Angeles and Prune Nourry's Paris exhibition celebrating women’s bodies, Eve Jackson brings you the week’s cultu

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Jailed Iranian Nobel laureate Narges Mohammadi says 'determined to continue fighting'

Jailed Iranian women's rights activist Narges Mohammadi gave an interview to FRANCE 24 while on temporary leave from Tehran's Evin prison. Despite nine trials and facing another 10 years in jail, the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize laureate is determined to conti

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German MPs discuss immigration bill backed by far right

Lawmakers in Germany's parliament Friday opened a debate on a package of harsh immigration measures brought by the conservative opposition and controversially supported by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). The bill came to the Bundestag after

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Russia claims village in Ukraine's Donetsk region

Europe • 3:37 PM

Russia on Friday claimed it had captured another village in its relentless offensive in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk region and as it closes in on the critical Ukrainian logistics hub of Pokrovsk after almost three years of war. Russian forces have been try

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Investigators continue salvage operations in deadly Washington air crash

Police boats returned to Washington's Potomac River on Friday in an effort to remove the remains of a midair collision that killed 67 people in the United States' deadliest aviation disaster in two decades.

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French far-right leader Jean-Marie Le Pen's grave vandalised three weeks after his death

France • 2:44 PM

The grave of Jean-Marie Le Pen, founder of France's far-right National Front party – now called the National Rally (RN) – was vandalised with a sledgehammer in the cemetery of La Trinité-sur-Mer, his family said Friday. Le Pen was a controversial figure

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Israel and Hamas prepare for fourth hostage-prisoner swap

Hamas and Israel will carry out their fourth hostage-prisoner swap of the Gaza ceasefire on Saturday, with the militant group to free three Israeli captives in exchange for 90 inmates in Israeli jails. Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants have so far handed

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Gaza's Rafah border crossing with Egypt to reopen

Gaza's Rafah border crossing with Egypt is set to reopen Saturday following a fourth exchange of hostages and prisoners under a truce agreement. The Rafah crossing was a vital entry point for humanitarian aid to enter into Gaza before the Israeli militar

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Olympic cauldron will return to Paris skies every summer until the 2028 LA Games

French President Emmanuel Macron announced Friday that the Olympic balloon and cauldron that became an icon of the Paris Games is set to return to the capital every summer until the 2028 Games in Los Angeles. Macron said the balloon would return to the s

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