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At least 24 killed in school fire in rebel-held DR Congo city

Victims from the fire in AFC/M23-held Bukavu include primary school students, say officials and media reports.

At least 20 killed in school fire in rebel-held DR Congo city

Victims from the fire in AFC/M23-held Bukavu include primary school students, say officials and media reports.

Supreme’s court decision seems to spell end for Republican-drawn congressional maps in Missouri – US politics live

Court’s decision to block federal judge’s ruling likely to prevent GOP’s attempts to extract additional Republican-leaning seatUS supreme court again rejects Missouri congressional maps redrawn to benefit Republicans in midtermsSign up for the US Breaking News emailThe Supreme Court has blocked a federal judge’s ruling that would’ve restored Republican-drawn congressional districts in Missouri.The...

Meet Mateo, 11, guitarist who stunned Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis

At just eleven years old, Mateo Castillo-Bonde has already made a significant impact, mesmerizing audiences with his guitar skills. His stunning solo at the State Fair, where he shared the stage with iconic producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, showcased his remarkable talent. After only three years of dedicated practice, sparked by a museum visit, Mateo continues to encourage others to explore the...

Minnesota trees adapted to 3.4°C warming, cutting expected CO₂ rise by 80%

EU Commission eyes major import overhaul to crack down on illegal Chinese products

Brussels is preparing a new law to crack down on non-compliant imports as part of a broader effort to curtail illegal Chinese products entering the EU market. The draft proposal also includes liability for online marketplaces, a new market surveillance fee and centralised enforcement.

US existing home sales hit weakest pace in over a year

Sales of previously owned homes in the United States slowed last month to their weakest pace in more than a year, as would-be buyers waited for relief on mortgage rates before purchasing. Contract closings slipped 2 per cent to an annualised rate of 3.98 million in August, data released on Thursday by the National Association of Realtors showed. Last month marked one of only two times since the au...

International Space Summit: Europe plays catch-up with US and China

The space sector is booming. The global industry expected to reach a value of €2 trillion mark by 2040. But behind this spectacular growth lies major geopolitical challenges, particularly for Europe. In this edition, FRANCE 24’s Charles Pellegrin speaks to Kai-Uwe Schrogl at the International Space Summit in Paris. Schrogl, a political affairs adviser to the European Space Agency, answers question...

EU falls short on Draghi reform agenda, new report shows

The European Union is implementing the recommendations of former Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, but at a pace that is failing to keep up with the rest of the world.

Russia tricks 'vulnerable' foreigners to fight in Ukraine war, Amnesty reports

Foreign nationals are being tricked into fighting for the Russian army against Ukraine through fake job offers, an Amnesty International report said Thursday, citing interviews with prisoners of war. The average targeted recruit is under 40, living in a poorer country and lured by the "promise of a job", Amnesty's secretary-general said.

Tajikistan marks 35 years of independence with grand celebrations

Dushanbe saw colourful celebrations marking Tajikistan’s 35th anniversary, including a grand parade, cultural performances and fireworks.

Iran-backed Houthis seize key Red Sea port in blow to Saudi forces

Orthodox church sends medieval prince’s remains to Russian troops in Ukraine

Part of Dmitry Donskoy’s right hand sent to ‘spiritually strengthen’ soldiersEurope live – latest updatesThe Russian Orthodox church has sent a fragment of a medieval warrior prince’s remains to troops fighting in Ukraine, saying the relic would “spiritually strengthen” soldiers and help them achieve victory.A reliquary containing part of the right hand of Dmitry Donskoy, the 14th-century prince r...

Russia’s actions have strengthened European case for boosting defence spending, says Nato chief – as it happened

Mark Rutte said that Europeans ‘increasingly understand’ the need for their countries to take ‘greater responsibility for our own security’Addressing German ambassadors, Wadephul repeats that the Russian threat “has reached our doorstep and it’s tangible.”He adds:“The Russian attempted attack at the airport in Leipzig is only the most recent incident in a string of constantly growing Russian aggre...

US resumes immigrant visa processing for Hungary, Poland while wider pause continues: What it means

Trump’s promise of $5,000 ‘dividend’ for US citizens after midterms decried as ‘bribery’

Critics react to bid for Republican votes with incredulity and point to potential $1.2tn cost atop existing national debtDonald Trump’s promise of a $5,000 “Trump dividend” for every US citizen if Republicans retain control of the US Congress in November’s midterm elections has sparked incredulity and accusations of bribery.“If the Republicans win, you win with us and you get $5,000,” Trump said d...

‘I don’t want to be here’: Andrew Hastie was a reluctant but ‘straightforward’ witness in the Ben Roberts-Smith defamation case

The Liberal MP and former SAS soldier is under attack from One Nation after complying with a subpoena to give evidence in the failed 2022 civil caseGet our new political email, free app or daily news podcast“I don’t dislike Mr Roberts-Smith at all. I pity Mr Roberts-Smith. I pity this whole process. I don’t want to be here.”Andrew Hastie was a reluctant witness in the Ben Roberts-Smith defamation ...

Woolworths increased prices of at least four ‘family staples’ during ‘Price Freeze’ promotion

Exclusive: Analysis shows cost of chicken fillets, potatoes and donuts rose during supermarket giant’s three-month promotionGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastWoolworths raised prices for popular items – including a 33% mark up on chicken fillets – within days of promising to freeze prices on 300 “family staples” for three months to help customers with the cost of living.Pr...

Celine Loves Paris — But Do Other Artists?

Paris may be ‘Céline City’ at the moment with the frenzy over Céline Dion’s comeback concerts, but what about other international musicians? Do they tour as much in France as elsewhere in Europe? In this edition, we look at why Dion chose Paris and why France may be behind when it comes to mega-venues.

Céline Dion loves Paris, but do other artists?

Paris may be ‘Céline City’ at the moment with the frenzy over Céline Dion’s comeback concerts, but what about other international musicians? Do they tour as much in France as elsewhere in Europe? In this edition, we look at why Dion chose Paris and why France may be behind when it comes to mega-venues.

Mainland Chinese pay tribute to Tung Chee-hwa for opening door to Hong Kong

Mainland Chinese have paid tribute to Hong Kong’s first chief executive, the late Tung Chee-hwa, for introducing a solo-travel scheme more than two decades ago that opened the city to millions of travellers and created indelible memories for middle-class families. The Individual Visit Scheme has grown from a handful of cities in Guangdong province in 2003 to its current 59 spanning the country as ...

Houthis capture Yemeni town of Mocha: Why it’s important

The Houthi seizure of Mocha threatens global trade routes, severs vital supply lines, and displaces thousands in Yemen.

Houthis capture Yemeni town of Mocha: Why it matters

The Houthi seizure of Mocha threatens global trade routes, severs vital supply lines, and displaces thousands in Yemen.

ICAC charges ex-HKEX vice-president over alleged failure to declare assets

A former vice-president of Hong Kong’s stock exchange operator has been charged by the city’s corruption watchdog with allegedly failing to comply with a statutory order to declare his assets during a probe. Geoffrey Tong Po‑hang, 39, former vice-president of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX), faces a count of failing to comply with a notice issued under the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance, ...

Ukrainian counteroffensive pushes back Russian forces near Lyman, Russian military bloggers say

Russian military bloggers have said Moscow’s forces have been forced to withdraw from positions near Lyman as Ukrainian troops counterattack, while accusing Russia’s military command of concealing the true situation on the battlefield. The precise scale of Ukraine’s counteroffensive remains unclear.