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US Defense Secretary Hegseth directs 20% cut to top military leadership positions

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Monday ordered a 20% reduction in the number of four-star officers, deepening cuts at the Pentagon that have shaken the Department of Defense at the start of President Donald Trump's second term in office. FRANCE 24

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'The opportunity is in the partnership': 'Savvy' Canadian PM appeals to Trump in real estate terms

U.S. President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney faced off in the Oval Office on Tuesday and showed no signs of retreating from their gaping differences in an ongoing trade war that has shattered decades of trust between the two countr

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US Supreme Court allows Trump ban on transgender troops to take effect

The US Supreme Court on Tuesday allowed President Donald Trump's ban on transgender military personnel to take effect, for now. The decision marks a major win for Trump, who has prioritised rolling back rights for transgender people during his second ter

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People taking more 'aggressive, negative' stance towards youth identifying as trans, gender diverse

Trump has said the US should recognise only two sexes and has moved to restrict gender-affirming care for minors and bar transgender people from the military. Yet Europe offers no safe haven either, as right-wing populism rises across the old continent.

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Former French interior minister Darmanin's 'long overdue' apology to Liverpool fans

PRESS REVIEW – Tuesday, May 6: The Peruvian press are searching for answers after 13 miners were found murdered in an underground shaft. Also: French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin finally apologises for the police's violent treatment of Liverpool foot

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Met Gala pays tribute to Black fashion and designers and includes Rihanna pregnancy surprise

The brightest stars in Hollywood, music, sports and fashion hit the red carpet Monday for the Met Gala, the extravagant Manhattan fundraiser that this year spotlights the subversive style of Black dandyism. Story by Caroline Baum.

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Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs' sex trafficking trial begins with jury selection

The federal sex trafficking trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs, whose wildly successful career has been dotted by allegations of violence, began on Monday in New York City with jury selection that was briefly paused when the hip-hop entrepreneur said he was “a

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PM Carney tells Trump Canada is 'not for sale' in White House meeting

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney met with US President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday, firmly rejecting Trump’s suggestion that Canada as the 51st US state would be "a wonderful marriage". The high-stakes meeting came amid an escalating tr

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Bolivian judge arrested after dismissing warrant for ex-president Evo Morales

Bolivian judge Lilian Moreno was detained on Monday, a week after she controversially threw out an arrest warrant for former president Evo Morales over his alleged relationship with a 15-year-old girl while in power. Morales plans on running for a fourth

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Pentagon chief orders 20% reduction in top-ranking military personnel

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth continued his overhaul of the US military on Monday, ordering a 20 percent cut to the country's highest-ranking military officials, with further downsizing planned for general and flag officers, as well as the National G

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P. Diddy says he is 'a little nervous' as sex trafficking trial gets underway

The first day of jury selection wrapped Monday in New York in the blockbuster federal sex trafficking trial of music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs, who stands accused of years of harrowing abuse. Story by Caroline Baum and Siobhán Silke.

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Carney meets Trump in bid to reset strained Canada-US relations

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to meet Donald Trump in the Oval Office on Tuesday in a bid to reset a relationship he says has been undermined by the U.S. president's tariffs and talk of annexation. Analysis by Kethevane Gorjestani, FRANCE 24

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Yesterday

Science at a crossroads: Europe positions itself as the gateway to global research

As the US turns inward and science comes under siege in the Trump era, Europe is seizing the moment. With research institutions facing political pressure and funding threats across the Atlantic, French President Emmanuel Macron and EU Commission Presiden

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Met Gala pays tribute to Black fashion icons and dandy aesthetic

Stars gathered Monday for a historic Met Gala that celebrated Black style and emerging designers. The fundraising event in rainy Manhattan was the first Met Gala to focus exclusively on Black designers and the first in more than 20 years to have a menswe

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Rapper P. Diddy's trial begins with jury selection

Sean “Diddy” Combs, the hip-hop entrepreneur whose wildly successful career has been dotted by allegations of violence, was brought to a New York courthouse Monday to be tried on charges that he used the influence and resources of his business empire to

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'Research renaissance': Macron envisions transatlantic safe haven for the 'brains of the world'

As the United States grapples with a climate of growing hostility toward science and academia under President Donald Trump's administration, the stakes for global research leadership have never been higher. In response, French President Emmanuel Macron a

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Trump orders reopening of Alcatraz prison

President Donald Trump says he is directing his government to reopen and expand Alcatraz, the notorious former prison on a hard-to-reach California island off San Francisco that has been closed for more than 60 years.

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US researchers look to relocate as Trump slashes funding

Ever since US President Donald Trump returned to the White House, funding for climate studies, research on AIDS and the history of segregation have been cancelled, resulting in the termination of thousands of US-based researchers and scientists.

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Trump's 'war' on science and environmental policy will 'delay inevitable transition and cost lives'

French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen are hosting a conference in Paris aimed at attracting US researchers ready to set their sights abroad because of President Donald Trump's policies. For in-depth analysis a

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Sean 'Diddy' Combs sex trafficking trial set to open in New York

Jury selection begins Monday in New York in the trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs on sex-trafficking and racketeering charges. Prosecutors allege he led a crime ring that forced victims into drug-fueled sex parties. Combs denies the charges, claiming all acts

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Trump threatens 100% tariff on foreign-made films to save 'dying' US movie industry

President Donald Trump announced a new tariff on foreign-made films, claiming Hollywood is being "devastated" by US filmmakers and studios moving production abroad. The move comes as the White House faces growing criticism over its trade policies, with T

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Trump orders reopening and expansion of notorious Alcatraz prison

President Donald Trump said Sunday he is directing the government to reopen and expand Alcatraz, the infamous former prison off San Francisco, closed since 1963. On Truth Social, he blamed "vicious, repeat offenders" for causing "misery and suffering" wh

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Sean 'Diddy' Combs sex trafficking trial opens in New York

Jury selection begins Monday in New York in the trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs on sex-trafficking and racketeering charges. Prosecutors allege he led a crime ring that forced victims into drug-fueled sex parties. Combs denies the charges, claiming all acts

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Sunday, may 4, 2025

Musical Chairs Inside the White House Press Room

This week, President Trump signed an executive order entitled “Ending Taxpayer Subsidisation of Biased Media”, threatening to cut federal funding to NPR and PBS. Both organisations plan to challenge the move in court, while Trump has labelled them “radic

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Asked if he's required to uphold the Constitution, Trump responds: 'I don't know'

US President Donald Trump said during a wide-ranging interview that aired on Sunday that he does not know if he must uphold the US Constitution, the supreme law of the land. He also said he does not think military force will be needed to make Canada the

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Brazil police arrest 2 in foiled plot to bomb Lady Gaga’s packed beach concert

Brazilian police say they have arrested two people, one of them a teenager, suspected of planning out a bomb attack on Lady Gaga’s free, million-strong concert in Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana on Saturday night. Police said the suspects had recruited peopl

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Friday, may 2, 2025

Trump to combine birthday celebration, US army anniversary with military parade

The White House announced Friday that US President Donald Trump will celebrate his 79th birthday and the US Army's 250th anniversary on June 14 with a military parade in Washington, drawing financial and security concerns.

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Trump's 100 days, Carney's Canadian comeback, Ukraine's minerals deal

In a week that marked US President Donald Trump's first 100 days in office, national security adviser Mike Waltz wasn't celebrating, as he was moved being aside. The first cabinet casualty of the president's second term, Waltz's departure appears to be a

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Carney vows to transform Canadian economy to 'stand up' to Trump

At his first press conference since his election victory, Prime Minister Mark Carney promised Friday to oversee the biggest transformation of Canada's economy since the end of the Second World War to enable it to "stand up" to US President Donald Trump.

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Cut in US funding will be 'disastrous': Hundreds of local NPR, PBS affiliates rely on federal grants

President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday to halt federal funding for PBS and NPR, accusing the public broadcasters of political bias. The order directs the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and other agencies to cut direct and indirect

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Canada PM Carney says will meet Trump in first post-election address

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Friday told reporters he would meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington next Tuesday. Analysis by FRANCE 24 International Affairs Commentator, Douglas Herbert.

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Is the White House Correspondents' Dinner still relevant?

The White House Correspondents' Dinner is usually a star-studded affair, attended by Hollywood A-listers and hosted by a big-name comedian. This year's event, however, was different in form and tone. It was a serious appeal to protect press freedoms, tho

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'Signalgate': Trump replaces White House national security adviser Waltz with Rubio

U.S. President Donald Trump ousted his national security adviser Mike Waltz on Thursday and named Secretary of State Marco Rubio as his interim replacement in the first major shakeup of Trump's inner circle since he took office in January. Analysis by Sh

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'Alarming deterioration' of US press freedom under Donald Trump, says RSF

Media rights group RSF warned Friday about "an alarming deterioration in press freedom" in the United States under President Donald Trump as well as "unprecedented" difficulties for independent journalists around the world. FRANCE 24's Oliver Farry inter

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Trump ousts Mike Waltz in major shake-up of national security team

President Donald Trump said Thursday that he is nominating national security adviser Mike Waltz as United Nations ambassador while Secretary of State Marco Rubio would take over Waltz’s duties on an interim role. Waltz has been under scrutiny for weeks a

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Trump threatens sanctions on Iranian oil after US-Iran nuclear talks postponed

US President Donald Trump on Thursday threatened sanctions on anyone who buys Iranian oil, a warning that came after planned talks over Tehran’s rapidly advancing nuclear programme were postponed.

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Thursday, may 1, 2025

RFK Jr. endorses long-debunked conspiracy theory of 'chemtrails'

"Chemtrails" are an unsubstantiated conspiracy theory that's existed for decades, despite being consistently debunked by scientists. But with several US states looking to ban geoengineering, this conspiracy theory has escalated its way into actual US leg

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Trump removes US National Security Advisor Waltz in first major shakeup of new administration

US President Donald Trump on Thursday named Secretary of State Marco Rubio as acting national security adviser, replacing Mike Waltz, who is stepping down following a leak scandal involving a Signal chat that disclosed details of US air strikes on Yemen.

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Mexico, US agree to improve trade balance after 'very positive' Sheinbaum-Trump call

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Thursday she had a “very positive” call with US President Donald Trump during which they agreed to seek ways to improve the US-Mexico trade balance, though no deal has yet been reached on lifting tariffs.

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RFK Jr alarms medical experts with vaccine 'placebo testing' plans

PRESS REVIEW – Thursday, May 1: The Spanish papers continue to wonder what – or who – was responsible for the Great Blackout that plunged Spain and Portugal into darkness this week. Is renewable energy to blame? Also: US Health Secretary Robert F. Kenned

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200 Lawsuits in 100 Days: Trump’s presidency fuelled by 'revenge'

President Donald Trump conceded Wednesday that his tariffs could lead to fewer and more expensive goods for Americans, saying children might "have two dolls instead of 30." Still, he insisted China would bear the greater burden. Amid fresh data showing t

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Columbia student Mahdawi released on bail as he challenges deportation from US

Columbia University student Mohsen Mahdawi was released from US immigration custody on Wednesday after a judge ruled he should be free on bail to challenge the Trump administration's efforts to deport him over his participation in pro-Palestinian protest

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Tesla chair denies reports that board is looking for new CEO to replace Musk

The chair of Tesla on Thursday denied a Wall Street Journal report that said the company's board had contacted executive search firms about a month ago to identify a potential successor for CEO Elon Musk. The reports come as Tesla faces slumping sales an

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Wednesday, april 30, 2025

'Nothing more sacred in the US than the right to criticise, disagree and challenge govt in court'

Donald Trump hailed his first 100 days as the most successful in U.S. history—even as polls show plummeting support and rising public disillusionment. Critics say his presidency has brought more chaos than achievement, marked by contradiction, instabilit

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US Congress, courts 'forfeiting their authority to an imperial presidency', expert says

FRANCE 24's Yinka Oyetade speaks to Thomas Gift, Director of the Centre on US Politics at UCL, about the dismantling of democratic institutions during the first 100 days of Donald Trump's second term. He says that Congress and the courts are forfeiting m

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Trump's United States after 100 days: Only the beginning?

Donald Trump is marking his first 100 days in office with a rally in Michigan where he told enthusiastic supporters "we've just gotten started". Of course, not everyone's a fan. UK magazine The Economist is putting a battered American bald eagle on its c

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100 posts a day: Who does Elon Musk target on X?

To mark the 100th day of US President Donald Trump’s second term, the FRANCE 24 Observers collaborated with France Info and Belgium's RTBF to analyse the rhetoric of Elon Musk, one of Trump's closest advisers. This two-part investigation, conducted by th

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Elon Musk’s tweets (2/2): Raising the profile of Europe’s far right

On his social media platform X, Elon Musk posts hundreds of messages denigrating European values, which he deems too "woke", as part of his broader ideological offensive against Europe. The FRANCE 24 Observers, in collaboration with Belgium’s RTBF and Fr

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Around the world in 100 days: US economy unexpectedly shrinks as Trump tariffs loom over the economy

US President Donald Trump is celebrating his "most successful first 100 days" in US history. All the while, the US economy shrank at a 0.3% annual pace from January through March, the first drop in three years, as President Donald Trump's trade wars disr

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Trump marks 100 days of second term as US president

One of the mottos used by US President Donald Trump since he took office in January has been “promises made, promises kept”. The first 100 days of his second term has seen him brazenly wield his executive authority but many of his campaign pledges remain

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Elon Musk's tweets (1/2): A conduit for pro-Russian anti-Ukraine rhetoric

Elon Musk has become one of the most fervent critics of Ukraine and President Volodymyr Zelensky online, especially on X, the platform he owns. To better understand Musk’s messaging about the Ukrainian war, the FRANCE 24 Observers team worked with RTBF a

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Trump's first 100 days in power: A tumultuous return to the White House

As he marks 100 days since returning to office for his second term, US President Donald Trump is facing countless challenges, many of his own making. On-off tariffs have sent markets lurching. A public meltdown with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky

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'Utter chaos' and 'massive destruction': Papers mark Trump's 100 days in office

PRESS REVIEW – Wednesday, April 30: Papers worldwide are discussing the impact of Donald Trump's presidency as he marks 100 days in office. Also, Vietnam celebrates the 50th anniversary of the country's reunification with a military parade in Ho Chi Minh

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Trump touts 'most successful first 100 days' in US history at Michigan rally

At a rally in Michigan, US President Donald Trump on Tuesday celebrated his first 100 days in office by touting what he called a series of major economic wins and forcefully attacked Democrats, as polling showed Americans were growing more sceptical of h

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US politics expert Jeremy Ghez: 'We knew Trump would come in swinging, and he did'

"We knew he would come in swinging, and he did swing." That's the analysis of US political expert Jeremy Ghez, who says that US President Donald Trump has a worldview that disrupts decades of US foreign policy, but what really matters to him is his brand

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Tuesday, april 29, 2025

Trump administration plans to designate Haitian gangs as foreign terrorist groups

The Trump administration has informed Congress of its plan to label Haitian gangs as foreign terrorist organisations, sources said. The move, mirroring recent designations of eight Latin American crime groups, aims to pressure gangs operating in the US.

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Fake political content attacking PM Carney surges on X ahead of Canadian election

Although Monday’s federal election saw Canadian news banned from being shared on Meta platforms for the first time, Canadians were still blasted with misleading and fake political content ahead of the vote. According to an analysis by the Financial Times

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Amazon says it will not show tariff costs on goods after White House rebuke

Online retail giant Amazon on Tuesday walked back a proposal to show consumers how much US President Donald Trump's tariffs have contributed to the price tag on its goods after the White House blasted the idea.

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‘Daunting’ challenges ahead, says Canada’s Carney after election victory

Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney warned that there were “daunting” challenges ahead as he celebrated election victory on Tuesday. Among them are responding to threats from US President Donald Trump to make Canada the 51st US state and pivoting Canada’

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‘Enemy of my enemy’: For Canada to wean off US, the path may extend beyond EU, through India & China

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's Liberal Party has secured a fourth consecutive election win, propelled by public backlash to US President Donald Trump’s annexation threats and trade war. In a seismic shift, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, onc

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