German power grid sabotage attack linked to ‘climate extremism’
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt on Friday said the evidence in a recent spate of sabotage attacks on power grids across the country points to a militant climate activist.
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UN ditches Mercator map to adopt more accurate one reflecting Africa's true size
The UN General Assembly on Friday voted to shift away from the 16th-century Mercator map, designed by Flemish cartographer Gerardus Mercator, for a more accurate one reflecting the true size of continents. The resolution, spearheaded by several African countries and co-sponsored by France, was backed by 164 countries. The US voted against and six other states abstained.
Germany’s ‘Most Dangerous Man’: PR gift for the AfD?
The Ukrainian capital was hit by Russia’s most intense wave of air attacks on Kyiv, reportedly in four years, with Reuters describing air raid sirens, drones, cruise and ballistic missiles exhausting Ukraine’s defence system, with 12 people killed and the Ukrainian foreign minister making a direct appeal to Western allies for more Patriot interceptor missiles.
Israel's West Bank camp displacements could be crime against humanity, UN says
The Israeli government's forced displacement of the entire populations of three West Bank refugee camps in January 2025 could amount to crimes against humanity, a UN report warned Friday. More than 33,000 Palestinians forced out of the Jenin, Nur Shams and Tulkarm camps have not been permitted to return home. Israel slammed the report for "spreading misinformation".
US midterms start with North Carolina distributing mail-voting ballots
North Carolina on Friday became the first state authorised to begin sending out ballots, formally launching the 2026 US midterms as President Donald Trump’s administration fights to impose sweeping restrictions on the practice.
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'Italian opposition fragmented: No alternative leader, no other possible leader than Giorgia Meloni'
Alison Sargent is pleased to welcome Political analyst Lorenzo Pregliasco, co-founder of polling agency YouTrend and adjunct professor at the University of Bologna. He argues that Giorgia Meloni’s unusual longevity in office is best understood not simply as a record of political strength, but as the product of a carefully calibrated governing strategy. Meloni has maintained stability partly by avo...
Germany: Hans-Thomas Tillschneider, the ideologist behind the AFD’s plans in Saxony-Anhalt
The far-right German political party Alternative for Germany could win a historical victory in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt in key elections this Sunday. The party’s agenda is more radical than ever and inspired by the proposals of an influential ideologist in the region: Hans-Thomas Tillschneider.
Trump envoys Witkoff, Kushner to visit Russia and Ukraine in coming days
US President Donald Trump's envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are expected to arrive in Kyiv for a first-time visit on Sunday, several sources reported. Witkoff and Kushner – Trump's son-in-law – have been involved in shuttle diplomacy between Russia and Ukraine, travelling to Moscow multiple times, and are expected to visit Kyiv this weekend. FRANCE 24's International Affairs Commentator Ket...
On the ground: Russian drone strikes Ukraine security service headquarters in Kyiv
A Russian drone struck the headquarters of Ukraine's SBU security services on Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said, accusing Moscow of aiming directly at the SBU head's personal office. Zelensky said he had instructed the SBU to deliver an "appropriate, tangible response" to the strike, while Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga described it as a "major escalation". FRANCE 24's ...
US judge declares mistrial in Lindsay Clancy child-killing case after jury deadlock
A judge in Massachusetts on Friday declared a mistrial in the Lindsay Clancy murder trial after jurors were unable to reach a unanimous verdict on whether she was criminally responsible for killing her three young children. The case sparked a public debate over maternal mental health.
Ethan Hawke leads the charge at Deauville's 52nd American Film Festival
The Normandy coast has become Hollywood-sur-mer once again, as the annual film festival welcomes talent from the United States. FRANCE 24's Genie Godula takes time out from hosting the opening ceremony in Deauville to bring us an overview of the features screening there.
France announces €1 billion aid for farmers after climate-hit summer
France has recorded its hottest summer on record this year as the country battled heatwaves, drought and massive wildfires. The extreme weather has continued into September, with France's national weather service placing five departments on orange alert for several days. Temperatures are expected to reach 40°C in some areas. France's agriculture minister also announced a plan to unlock over 1 bill...
Strengthening Africa is an investment in Europe's future: EU Commissioner Jozef Sikela
Are great-power politics back, at the expense of smaller countries? In an age of strongmen, is multilateralism in retreat? Not according to Jozef Sikela. The EU Commissioner in charge of International Partnerships insists that traditional multilateralism is alive and well, especially in the EU's approach to Africa and to the Arctic. We sat down with him for an interview at the European Commission ...
Trump administration unveils anti-immigration video games
The #arcade #games are unveiled as the #Trump administration steps up its mass #arrest and #deportation programme of undocumented #immigrants. According to recent data, most of those arrested in July by #ICE have no #criminal record.
Himalayan hydropower buildout: Expert says risk management is key
Following devastating floods in Nepal and Tibet, Access Asia takes a closer look at the fragile state of the Himalayan mountains. Dr Arun Bhakta Shrestha, an expert on the environment and risk management in the Himalayas, explains why it's so difficult to detect glacier movements in advance and says that the tragedy could serve as an opportunity to improve the way nations develop infrastructure in...
Russian drone strikes Ukraine security service HQ
A Russian drone struck the headquarters of Ukraine's SBU security services in Kyiv on Friday afternoon, said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, injuring five people. The attack followed a series of deadly overnight strikes across Ukraine, including the southern Odesa region.
Russian drone ‘aimed directly’ at Ukraine security service HQ
A Russian drone struck the headquarters of Ukraine's SBU security services in Kyiv on Friday afternoon, said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, injuring five people. The attack followed a series of deadly overnight strikes across Ukraine, including the southern Odesa region.
Russian drone ‘aimed directly’ at Ukraine security service HQ, Zelensky says
A Russian drone struck the headquarters of Ukraine's SBU security services in Kyiv on Friday afternoon, said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, injuring five people. The attack followed a series of deadly overnight strikes across Ukraine, including the southern Odesa region.
An inside look at Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Los Angeles
After years of delays and more than a billion dollars, the long-awaited Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is preparing to open its doors to the public in Los Angeles. The museum, founded by filmmaker George Lucas and his wife, businesswoman Mellody Hobson, will be a new home for visual storytelling spanning the Star Wars universe and beyond. FRANCE 24's correspondent Wassim Cornet reports.
Nepal floods: Two workers pulled alive from tunnel after nine days
Nepal's emergency crews have pulled two workers out of a hydropower tunnel where they had been trapped for nine days. The rescue comes more than a week after flash flooding along the Nepal-Tibet border killed more than 1,200 people. Both men have injuries to their hands and legs and have been airlifted to a hospital in Kathmandu for treatment.
Meloni celebrates milestone as Italy's longest-lasting government
Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is celebrating a milestone: her hard-right government is now the longest-lasting in the country's post war history. In a country known for its political instability, it's a notable record. But considerable challenges remain for Italy's first female prime minister, ahead of elections next year. FRANCE 24's Italy correspondent Seema Gupta reports.
Struggling to make its voice heard: Can the EU forge a true foreign policy?
"Who do I call if I want to speak to Europe?" The famous quote attributed to Henry Kissinger still resonates today. There is in fact a Mrs Europe on the world stage: Kaja Kallas, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. She is actually the sixth high representative. But ever since that post was created, rivalries between different centres of power have diluted the EU's a...
Israeli army has seized Lebanon's key Ali al-Taher ridge from Hezbollah
Israel has seized the strategically placed Ali al-Taher ridge in southern Lebanon from Hezbollah fighters, Defence Minister Israel Katz said Friday. The Iran-aligned Shiite group did not confirm losing the highland, which sits around 10 kilometres from the border with Israel and was pummelled by Israeli strikes in recent weeks despite a ceasefire.
Israel says it has seized Lebanon's key Ali al-Taher ridge from Hezbollah
Israel has seized the strategically placed Ali al-Taher ridge in southern Lebanon from Hezbollah fighters, Defence Minister Israel Katz said Friday. The Iran-aligned Shiite group did not confirm losing the highland, which sits around 10 kilometres from the border with Israel and was pummelled by Israeli strikes in recent weeks despite a ceasefire.
Strength of Meloni less linked to policy, more about her party's dominance within govt coalition
William Hilderbrandt is pleased to welcome Dr. Giulia Sandri, Associate researcher at the Free University of Brussels. Meloni has benefited from something historically scarce in Italian politics: longevity. Four years of governmental stability have allowed her to accumulate diplomatic relationships, strengthening Italy’s position within Europe and giving Rome greater visibility internationally. Ye...
Unearthing her story: The rise of women archaeologists
In a show to kick off a new season, we explore the rise of women archaeologists – and how they are helping to transform our understanding of ancient societies. In the last 30 years, women have come to make up more than half of the profession. At the same time, advances in technology – from DNA analysis to carbon dating – are allowing archaeologists to build a far more accurate picture of the past....
What does acquittal in the Daphne Caruana Galizia case mean for journalists?
This week, FRANCE 24's media show Scoop looks at the murder of anti-corruption journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. Press freedom groups are furious after Maltese businessman Yorgen Fenech was acquitted of involvement. Caruana Galizia was an outspoken critic of the government and described as a "one-woman WikiLeaks". She was killed by a car bomb in 2017 and speculation followed that influential figu...
'Worst possible timing': Farage's Reform UK meets as new donation scandal hits
British hard-right leader Nigel Farage's Reform UK party gathered for its annual conference on Friday engulfed by a fresh scandal. Just hours before Farage's address, two senior Reform officials resigned following an undercover investigation aired by Channel 4 News that alleged they had conspired to secure a foreign donation – barred under UK electoral law. The conference will also be addressed by...
Trump's White House releases deportation video games
US President Donald Trump's White House on Thursday unveiled a website featuring classic arcade games – but with a "MAGA" twist, in which players can deport migrants and build a border wall. Rights groups swiftly criticised the release of the online games, which comes as the Trump administration steps up its mass arrest and deportation program for undocumented migrants.