World News Hub

Pope Leo to visit France in September, Vatican says

Pope Leo XIV will make the first official state visit by a pontiff to France in 18 years when he travels to Paris in September, the Vatican said on Saturday. 

Gaza flotilla sails for a third time despite threats: 500 activists depart

Ships from the Global Sumud Flotilla set sail for a third time on Thursday from southern Turkey, after earlier attempts to deliver aid to Gaza were intercepted by Israel in international waters.  

Putin to hold taks with Xi in China days after Trump’s trip to Beijing

Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping during a two-day trip to Beijing next week, the Kremlin said Saturday. The meeting comes days after US President Donald Trump's state visit to China, which ended with warm diplomatic optics but few resolutions to key trade and geopolitical issues, including the Russian war on Ukraine and the US-Israeli war on Iran. 

French judge to probe complaint against Saudi’s MBS over journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s killing

A French investigative magistrate is set to investigate a complaint filed by rights groups against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its crown prince, Mohammed Bin Salman, also known as MBS, over the 2018 assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, according to a source. The probe comes after years of legal wrangling over the admissibility of the case.  

'No sign' of China's willingness to pressure Iran after Trump's visit

Reza Sayah has more. 

Ukraine vows retribution after Russian strike on housing block kills 24

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy promised retribution against Russia on Friday after laying red roses at the rubble of a Kyiv apartment building where a Russian missile strike killed 24 people, including three children.

UK leadership crisis deepens: Starmer faces growing calls to step down

Martin Farr, Senior Lecturer in Contempory British History at Newcastle University, is our guest.

US ramps up pressure on Cuba and plans to indict Raúl Castro

The Justice Department is preparing to seek an indictment against former Cuban President Raúl Castro as President Donald Trump threatens possible military action against the communist-run island.

War in the Middle East: Israel targets top Hamas leader in Gaza

An Israeli airstrike in Gaza on Friday targeted the leader of Hamas ’ military wing, Israeli officials said, but it wasn't immediately clear if Izz al-Din al-Haddad was killed or injured.

US and Nigerian forces 'eliminate' IS group senior leader in joint mission

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu on Saturday confirmed President Donald Trump's announcement that US and Nigerian forces killed a senior Islamic State (IS) group senior leader in a joint mission in the West African nation. 

Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu: The art of self-confidence

🎙️ « Self-confidence is a journey built over time, through hardships that teach you not to be afraid of going through storms. » 👉 Star of one of the world’s most celebrated television series, Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu returns to the Cannes Film Festival as an ambassador for L’Oréal Paris, representing self-confidence and the importance of embracing yourself just as you are.

Israel, Lebanon extending ceasefire, US says, despite new Israeli strikes

Israel and Lebanon agreed to extend a ceasefire and hold expanded talks on a political settlement, the US announced days before the April 17 ceasefire was set to expire. The announcement came even as Israel carried out new strikes in southern Lebanon that it insists are not subject to the truce. Israel has been pounding Lebanon and invaded its south in response to fire from Hezbollah since early M...

Taiwan says it is a ‘sovereign’ nation with US ‘security commitment’ after Trump’s warning

Taiwan on Saturday maintained it is a "sovereign and independent" nation and that US arms sales were part of Washington's security commitment to the island. The foreign ministry statement came a day after President Donald Trump warned Taiwan against declaring formal independence following his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a state visit to China. 

Middle East war live: Israel strikes southern Lebanon hours after ceasefire extension

Israel launched new airstrikes against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon on Saturday, hours after the two countries agreed to extend a truce following talks in the US. The April 17 ceasefire, which did not end Israeli strikes in Lebanese territory, will be extended for 45 days, said the US. Follow our live coverage for all the latest updates.

Middle East war live: Israel, Lebanon extend shaky ceasefire

Israel and Lebanon have agreed to extend a ceasefire, which was set to expire Sunday, and to hold expanded talks on a political settlement, the US announced after two days of talks in Washington. The April 17 ceasefire, which did not end fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, will be extended for 45 days, said the US. Follow our live coverage for all the latest updates.

New Ebola outbreak hits DR Congo

First, the Ebola outbreak tears through eastern DR Congo, killing at least 65 people and triggering fears of wider regional spread. Also, final stretch in Cape Verde ahead of the legislative elections scheduled for Sunday.  And, Ethiopia’s coffee sector is under pressure as global prices plunge. But  in a striking paradox, local consumers are paying far more, with coffee prices tripling in just si...

Palestinian activist Ramy Shaath faces deportation from France

Palestinian activist Ramy Shaath is facing deportation proceedings from France, as his presence in the country is now considered a “serious threat to public order” by authorities, his lawyer said on Friday. The activist, a co-founder of the Urgence Palestine organisation, had been detained in Egypt between 2019 and 2022 before being released and allowed to join his wife in France.

Trump-Xi, the alpha power summit: a debrief

Dr Bates Gill is a prominent American International Relations scholar, and China specialist.

Live: Israel and Lebanon agree to extend ceasefire by 45 days, US State Department says

Trump & Xi, Carry on Westminster, the french pivot

In a week that’s seen the world’s superpowers take centre stage with President Trump in Beijing for the first state visit of a US leader in almost a decade. With tensions over trade, technology and Taiwan, what stayed tacitly implied was the deeper, more difficult question of whether the two alpha powers of world order can share the 21st Century, or, is a confrontation ultimately unavoidable?

Marion Cotillard reunites with Ex, Guillaume Canet, in new Cannes film

It's a big day at the Cannes Film Festival. Marion Cotillard stars in "Karma", the new psychological thriller from her former partner Guillaume Canet – their first film together since the couple split, and their ninth collaboration overall. Cotillard plays a woman whose life collapses when her young godson mysteriously disappears. Also on the Croisette is John Travolta presenting his directorial d...

Trump warns Taiwan against declaring independence from China after meeting Xi

US President Donald Trump on Friday warned Taiwan against formally declaring its independence in an interview with Fox News shortly before the end of his visit to China. During their meetings, Chinese President Xi Jinping had pressed him against supporting the self-ruling island.

NY judge declares mistrial in new Harvey Weinstein sex assault case

A third trial against fallen Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein based on allegations that he sexually assaulted actor Jessica Mann ended Friday in New York without the jury managing to reach a verdict. Weinstein is already serving prison time for other sex offence cases, so he will remain behind bars. 

Judge declares mistrial in Harvey Weinstein sexual assault case

A new rape trial against former Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein ended Friday in New York without the jury managing to reach a verdict.

Judge declares mistrial in Weinstein sex assault case

A US judge declared a mistrial in the trial of disgraced cinema mogul Harvey Weinstein after jurors again failed to reach a verdict on allegations he sexually assaulted actor Jessica Mann, prosecutors said.