World News Hub

Iceland to vote on resuming EU talks in close referendum

Icelanders are to vote Saturday on whether to resume entry talks with the European Union amid growing global insecurity, in a referendum seen as going down to the wire.

Trump sends Saudi civil nuclear agreement to Congress for review

US President Donald Trump has submitted a civilian nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia to Congress for review, an administration official said. The classified pact, sent to Capitol Hill on Monday, is aimed at bolstering Riyadh’s nuclear programme but remains contingent on Saudi Arabia normalising relations with Israel.

SpaceX to build $100 billion rocket launch facility in southern Louisiana

SpaceX unveiled plans on Tuesday for a $100 billion rocket launch complex in southern Louisiana, its largest yet, aimed at supporting Starship and AI satellite missions. The 125,000-acre Starbase Louisiana site on Pecan Island could eventually handle thousands of Starship launches annually, the company said.

SpaceX to build $100 billion rocket launch complex in southern Louisiana

SpaceX unveiled plans on Tuesday for a $100 billion rocket launch complex in southern Louisiana, its largest yet, aimed at supporting Starship and AI satellite missions. The 125,000-acre Starbase Louisiana site on Pecan Island could eventually handle thousands of Starship launches annually, the company said.

Beloved US country music icon Dolly Parton dies at 80

US singer-songwriter, actress, businesswoman and philanthropist Dolly Parton died on Tuesday at the age of 80, her family said in a statement. The prolific songwriter released 49 studio albums, more than 100 compilation and collorabative albums, won 10 Grammys and 13 Academy of Country Music awards, and racked up 26 number one country hits during her six decades in the American music scene. 

Oil prices fall for second day as US shifts from Iran strikes to sanctions

Oil prices fell for a second straight day on Tuesday as traders saw a reduced risk of renewed US military strikes on Iran after Washington instead threatened broader economic sanctions. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent declared an “economic D-Day” against Tehran but gave no timeline or details on countries that could face penalties.

US-led Gaza peace board warns Hamas over kites after Israeli threat

The US-led board overseeing the Gaza peace plan warned Hamas on Tuesday to halt militant activity, including flying kites, after Israel threatened retaliatory strikes. A Board of Peace official said Israel must also respect the ceasefire, limiting military action to responses to “genuine and imminent threats.”

Mawlid festivities cancelled in Tigray over drone attacks

In tonight's programme: The United States on Monday called for beefed-up UN sanctions against the warring parties in Sudan. Also, Muslims celebrate Mawlid across Africa but festivities are cancelled in Tigray because of recent drone attacks. Finally, in the Kenyan village of Cheporor, a recent discovery of gold sends thousands of amateur prospectors rushing to the area.

Mawlid cancelled in Tigray

In tonight's programme, the United States on Monday called for beefed-up U.N. sanctions against the warring parties in Sudan. Also, Muslims celebrate Mawlid across Africa but festivities were cancelled in Tigray because of recent drone attacks. And finally in the Kenyan village of Cheporor, a recent discovery of gold sent thousands of amateur prospectors rushing to the area.

Syrian Kurdish leader announces SDF dissolution after its integration into army

Mazloum Abdi, the commander-in-chief of the Syrian Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on Tuesday announced the dissolution of the group in a televised speech from the presidential palace in Damascus. The dissolution followed the integration of SDF fighters into the Syrian military, said Abdi, and represented a major victory for Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa.

Syrian Kurdish leader announces SDF dissolution after integration into army

Mazloum Abdi, the commander-in-chief of the Syrian Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on Tuesday announced the dissolution of the group in a televised speech from the presidential palace in Damascus. The dissolution followed the integration of SDF fighters into the Syrian military, said Abdi, and represented a major victory for Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa.

Syrian Kurdish leader announced SDF dissolution after integration into army

Mazloum Abdi, the commander-in-chief of the Syrian Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on Tuesday announced the dissolution of the group in a televised speech from the presidential palace in Damascus. The dissolution followed the integration of SDF fighters into the Syrian military, said Abdi, and represented a major victory for Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa.

Beloved US country music icon Dolly Parton dies at 80

US singer-songwriter, actress, businesswoman and philanthropist Dolly Parton died on Tuesday at the age of 80, her family said in a statement. The prolific songwriter released 49 studio albums, more than 100 compilation and collorabative albums, won 10 Grammys and 13 Academy of Country Music awards, and racked up 26 number one country hits during her six decades in the American music scene. 

Nigeria’s president orders rescue operation after mass kidnapping at mosque

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday ordered security agencies to conduct a rescue operation after the mass kidnapping of worshippers during an attack on a mosque in the north-central Niger State last week. Local authorities were still trying to verify the number of missing people, but local residents said roughly 600 women, children and elderly people had been abducted. 

Japan: 1,800 people pull 360-tonne Hirosaki Castle keep by hand

About 1,800 people came together in northern Japan to pull a 360-tonne castle keep by hand. The Hirosaki Castle keep was moved in 2015 so its earthquake-damaged stone wall could undergo repairs. Now, using hikiya, a technique that places buildings on rollers so they can be moved without dismantling them, the keep is being brought closer to its original position. Those taking part were selected thr...

Cyberattacks target French government agencies

🇫🇷 🧑‍💻 French government agencies are more frequently landing in the crosshairs of hackers, leaving important personal data increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks. In 2026 alone, organs of the French finance ministry have been victim to three massive cyberattacks, compromising the data of millions of people. FRANCE 24's Tanishk Saha explains what they have revealed - and why you should be con...

Canada strikes back at Trump with retaliatory tariffs as US trade war escalates

Canada on Tuesday announced retaliatory tariffs on C$27.6 billion ($19.94 billion) worth of US goods, including steel and dairy products, in a dollar-for-dollar response to President Donald Trump's punitive tariffs on Canadian products. Ottawa also announced a C$7.5 billion aid package for impacted Canadian businesses and workers as the trade war between the two countries escalated. 

French astronaut performs second spacewalk in just a week

One week after becoming the first French woman to perform a spacewalk, Sophie Adenot has ventured outside the International Space Station again on August 25 - with the mission of replacing an antenna.

Canada's tariffs on US about 'sovereignty to get people on board' with trade war

As its trade war with the US deepens, Canada is imposing tariffs on US goods in retaliation for tariffs introduced in the past few days on its goods. Ottawa has also announced a multi-billion aid package for workers and has called on Canadians to buy local to help domestic industries. FRANCE 24's Christopher Guly and Kethevane Gorjestani tell us what to know.

Iran offers $10 million to kill Trump's son

Iranian state media has aired a video that appears to threaten the life of Barron Trump, US President Donald Trump's youngest son. Since the start of the war in February, Iranian media have on multiple occasions circulated content threatening the president and family members.  The US Secret Service has confirmed it is aware of the video.

Replay: Canada announces countermeasures to new US tariffs

Rewatch as Canadian ministers lay out a series of countermeasures as its trade war with the US deepens after the Trump administration imposed new tariffs on Canadian goods.

France: Tornado ravages small village

🌪️ A tornado of rare intensity devastated the small village of Pomas in southern France, causing widespread destruction and leaving residents in shock on Tuesday, with the mayor describing the aftermath as resembling "wartime". At least 39 people were injured, including two severely.

CIA director Ratcliffe visits Moscow, US media reports

CIA Director John Ratcliffe ​visited Russia to attend meetings in Moscow on Tuesday, according to two US media outlets, in what is believed to be Ratcliffe's first known trip to Russia since taking over as US spy chief. The reported visit comes as US-brokered talks aimed at ending the Ukraine war have stalled. 

🔴 Mideast live: Trump says Strait of Hormuz demined, warns of ‘zero tolerance’ for new mines

Space: Second spacewalk for French astronaut Sophie Adenot

A week after her first historic spacewalk, French astronaut Sophie Adenot began her second spacewalk outside the International Space Station (ISS) on Tuesday as part of her mission. Here are some (time-lapsed) images from the start of the extravehicular activity, which aims to replace a communications antenna. The spacewalk is expected to last around six and a half hours.