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Aged 95, Sonny 'Saxophone Colossus' Rollins leaves behind a life dedicated to jazz
France 24

Aged 95, Sonny 'Saxophone Colossus' Rollins leaves behind a life dedicated to jazz

Sonny Rollins one of jazz's greats has passed away at age 95. Often called the 'Saxophone Colossus' after his groundbreaking 1965 album, Rollins left a lasting mark on jazz. Born in 1930, and raised in Harlem, Rollins took up the saxophone at age 8. By his twenties he was playing with the greats, and was known for practising on a New York Bridge for hours.

'Trust has been so eroded': Philosopher Miranda Fricker on epistemic injustice today
France 24

'Trust has been so eroded': Philosopher Miranda Fricker on epistemic injustice today

A world-renowned philosopher has told FRANCE 24 she's still shocked that 20 years after she coined the phrase "epistemic injustice", she is still talking about it. Miranda Fricker is now Julius Silver Professor of Philosophy at New York University and co-director of the New York Institute of Philosophy. She's also a fellow of the British Academy and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. She's...

Four dead after train and school bus collide in Belgium
France 24

Four dead after train and school bus collide in Belgium

A train hit a school minibus in the Belgian town of Buggenhout on the morning of May 26, with at least four people killed, including two children. The cause of the crash is not immediately clear, neither is the reason why the bus was on the tracks. Belgium's rail agency says footage from the scene shows barriers at the crossing had been closed and a red light was showing when the incident happened...

Senegal's ex-PM elected National Assembly speaker despite sacking from president
France 24

Senegal's ex-PM elected National Assembly speaker despite sacking from president

Senegal's National Assembly elected ousted prime minister Ousmane Sonko as its speaker on May 26 in a vote boycotted by the opposition, following months of tension that culminated in the sacking. The high-profile political divorce risks pitting president Faye against Sonko's supporters in parliament over reforms that include taming the country's runaway debt. FRANCE 24's Caitlin Kell tells us more...

US anxious to come to deal with Iran asTehran seeks release of frozen assets

US anxious to come to deal with Iran asTehran seeks release of frozen assets

France 24

The US struck targets in Iran, the first since the start of the ceasefire and amid fragile talks between Tehran and Washington. The strikes come as the US is becoming anxious to come to a deal and end the war, as a growing number of Americans oppose the war ahead of the midterm elections. Iran has accused the US of violating the ceasefire and asked for the unfreezing of Iranian funds as part of th...

Paris school aide goes on trial over alleged sexual abuse of preschool children

Paris school aide goes on trial over alleged sexual abuse of preschool children

France 24

A French kindergarten aide went on trial in Paris on Tuesday, accused of sexually assaulting five preschool children, in the first such public hearing amid a flurry of allegations of abuse in the French capital. The case comes amid investigations into alleged mistreatment and sexual abuse at dozens of Paris schools and growing pressure on authorities to protect children in after-school care.

Train and school minibus collide in Belgium, killing four

Train and school minibus collide in Belgium, killing four

France 24

Four people, including two children, were killed and five others injured after a train struck a school minibus at a railway crossing in northern Belgium on Tuesday. Authorities described the collision in Buggenhout, near Brussels, as a “horrific accident”, with investigators probing the cause of the deadly crash.

Pope Leo takes aim at AI in encyclical

Pope Leo takes aim at AI in encyclical

France 24

FRANCE 24's François Picard welcomes David Gibson, journalist and director of Fordham University's Center on Religion and Culture. On Monday Pope Leo set out his sweeping vision for AI and humanity. His first encyclical - a special paper letter that's sent to bishops int he Roman Catholic Church - was presented to the world, alongside Anthropic's Chris Olah, an attempt to demonstrate the possible ...

Teens and screens: The smartphone trap

Teens and screens: The smartphone trap

France 24

Smartphones, video games, online homework: screens are everywhere in teenagers' lives. Faced with the risks of addiction and the effects on mental and physical health, some French parents and teachers are pushing back. 

Bolivian president slashes salary by 50% to calm protests

Bolivian president slashes salary by 50% to calm protests

France 24

In another bid to quell the protests that have effectively blockaded the Bolivian capital, President Rodrigo Paz announced that he and his ministers would reduce their salaries by half on May 25. The demonstrations which have seen protestors clash with police are over the high cost of living in the country and the austerity measures put in place by the Paz government that tipped Bolivia's economy ...

Manchester City says goodbye to manager Pep Guardiola

Manchester City says goodbye to manager Pep Guardiola

France 24

Widely touted as one of the best managers in Premier League history, Pep Guardiola has stepped down from his role at the helm of Manchester City on May 26. After ten glorious years, during which the 55-year-old oversaw 593 games - more than any other in the club's history - fans said goodbye to Guardiola at a trophy parade and after-party.

Count the dead bugs on your windshield and contribute to science

Count the dead bugs on your windshield and contribute to science

France 24

Scientists need your help! French researchers are calling on car drivers to help them measure the decline of insect populations – thanks to an app dubbed "Bugs Matter". The citizen science project was launched in April by France's National Museum of Natural History. It will become the country's first ever comprehensive assessment of insect populations. Our Down to Earth team reports.

Chile's Trump-inspired border controls complicate life for migrants

Chile's Trump-inspired border controls complicate life for migrants

France 24

Just after taking office, Chile's new far-right President José Antonio Kast pledged to expel more than 300,000 undocumented migrants. Two months into his presidency, the mass departures that many predicted have not happened. The construction of a border wall with Peru, modelled on US President Donald Trump's wall, does not seem to be stopping migrants from attempting to cross into Chile. But in Ta...

Austrian paraglider unscathed after terrifying mid-air collision with plane

Austrian paraglider unscathed after terrifying mid-air collision with plane

France 24

PRESS REVIEW – Tuesday, May 26: We look at reactions in the Senegalese and French press after President Bassirou Diomaye Faye appoints a new prime minister after firing his former mentor Ousmane Sonko. Also, papers react to Pope Leo XIV's encyclical on the dangers of AI and the need to "disarm". Finally, an Austrian paraglider survives a terrifying mid-air collision and Thai police officers pose i...

Tennis legend Gael Monfils says goodbye to French Open ahead of retirement

Tennis legend Gael Monfils says goodbye to French Open ahead of retirement

France 24

Gaël Monfils ended his 19th and final French Open on May 25 before retiring at the end of the season, a career during which he has inspired many players with his style and personality. Monfils was once world number six, at his peak in 2016. The Frenchman has won 13 ATP titles, including three ATP 500s. He reached two Grand Slam semi-finals - including one in Paris in 2008 - and helped France reach...

Palestine's Eid dampened by consequences of war on livestock

Palestine's Eid dampened by consequences of war on livestock

France 24

Palestinians in Gaza facing another grim Eid holiday, which starts Tuesday evening. The livestock sector there has been destroyed by the war, and Israel isn't allowing the import of live animals, making the traditional animal sacrifice nearly impossible. Restrictions on border crossings also mean Palestinians are unable to perform the pilgrimage to Mecca.

Ebola outbreak comes with increasing economic toll for DR Congo

Ebola outbreak comes with increasing economic toll for DR Congo

France 24

The Ebola outbreak continues in Africa where cases are mounting and countries neighbouring the Democratic Republic of Congo have been closing their borders in a bid to halt the spread. While people understand the danger the virus presents, moves like this have cut many off from their livelihoods, pointing to an increasing economic toll, beyond the victims themselves.

What is a heat dome, causing excessively high temperatures in western Europe?

What is a heat dome, causing excessively high temperatures in western Europe?

France 24

France and the United Kingdom are currently being affected by a heat dome, driving up temperatures in western Europe. Although the phenomenon is common, it is now being exacerbated by climate change. It’s the same mechanism that has been affecting India for weeks, with temperatures exceeding 45°C in some places, and has led to wildfires in Canada in 2021.

Israel strikes Lebanese village and calls up more troops in the region

Israel strikes Lebanese village and calls up more troops in the region

France 24

The Israeli army has issued a fresh set of evacuation orders for 10 villages in Southern Lebanon as it prepares for a new round of military strikes. Israel and the militant group Hezbollah have been trading deadly fire despite a ceasefire. In fact, two far-right Israeli ministers are calling for more severe military action in Lebanon, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered an escalation...

US strikes Iranian targets amid agreement talks

US strikes Iranian targets amid agreement talks

France 24

The U.S. military carried out “self-defense” strikes in southern Iran on May 25, including on missile launch sites and boats placing mines, even as President Donald Trump said on social media that negotiations were “proceeding nicely.” A delicate time, with the agreement possibly being days away. But Trump is now moving towards Iran's line regarding the destruction of enriched uranium. FRANCE 24's...

Saxophone 'colossus' Sonny Rollins dies at 95

Saxophone 'colossus' Sonny Rollins dies at 95

France 24

Sonny Rollins, the "Saxophone Colossus" and the last in a golden era of jazz greats, died on May 25. Aged 95, he was one of a handful of saxophone players who defined the instrument, a pantheon that includes Charlie Parker, Coleman Hawkins and John Coltrane. Rollins' often marathon, hard-blowing solos earned him a reputation as the greatest jazz saxophone improviser. FRANCE 24's Samy-Vicente Lacer...

Senegal appoints former central banker as new prime minister

Senegal appoints former central banker as new prime minister

France 24

Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye announced on May 25 the country has a new Prime Minister. A senior economist, Ahmadiu Au Aminou Lo is a former central banker who worked at the Central Bank of West African States. The nomination comes days after the dismissal of former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, in power since 2024, amid debates over the country's debt.

Dr Congo adapts burials amid Ebola outbreak

Dr Congo adapts burials amid Ebola outbreak

France 24

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the issue of burials is central to the management of the new Ebola outbreak affecting the country. Since bodies remain contagious even after death, burials must be carried out by specialized teams to limit the risk of infection. But securing public acceptance for these measures is a challenge as misinformation and mistrust of officials is rife in some commu...

"'Trump has engaged in corruption more than other presidents' as 'slush fund' criticism mounts

"'Trump has engaged in corruption more than other presidents' as 'slush fund' criticism mounts

France 24

US President Donald Trump's administration has announced the creation of a $1.776 billion ​fund for Americans deemed to be victims of political "weaponization," like January 6 Capitol riot defendants. But the announcement has brought in a lawsuit from a coalition of Trump critics adding to mounting backlash over the fund, seen as an additional act of corruption. FRANCE 24's Douglas Herbert looks a...

US military sais it carried 'self-defense' strikes in first since ceasefire

US military sais it carried 'self-defense' strikes in first since ceasefire

France 24

US Central Command said it "conducted self-defence strikes in southern Iran" on May 25. This comes more than a month after a ceasefire between the countries took hold and amid ongoing peace negotiations in Qatar. Still, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio maintained a deal can be reached within days. While the US is looking to get the Strait of Hormuz reopened, Iran says Tehran's sovereignty of the ...

Starbucks in South Korea sees 'very significant drop in sales' amid controversy

Starbucks in South Korea sees 'very significant drop in sales' amid controversy

France 24

Retail tycoon Chung Yong-jin, chairman of the Shinsegae Group which owns Starbucks Korea, issued a second apology in two weeks on Tuesday as the public outcry over the coffee chain's "Tank Day" marketing campaign fails to subside. The group is seeing a drop in sales over the campaign that appeared to reference a deadly crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in 1980. Also in this edition: Ferrari un...