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With 'rare' Paris talks, France hopes to cash in on Saudi investment programme

Saudi's crown prince Mohammed bin Salman is in Paris to meet France's President Emmanuel Macron. The two leaders are to hold talks on a variety of topics, but first and foremost about the situation in the Middle East. For France, this is a chance to benefit from Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 investment plan. FRANCE 24's Clovis Casali is at the Elysée Palace and tells us more.

What could new US sanctions on Iran entail?

The US says it is preparing to announce new sanctions on Iran. It's been billed an economic D-day and is expected to add further pressure on the country's economy that's already been battered from previous sanctions and a US naval blockade. The renewed economic pressure would not be the first time the US has used economic tools at its disposal to corner Iran. But what could the new measures likely...

France's left fractures further as MEP launches presidential bid

French centre-left politician Raphael Glucksmann announced his candidacy for France's presidential election next year, joining a crowded field of far-right figures, centrists and fellow left-wingers. Hard-left leader Jean-Luc Melenchon is planning to stand while Greens leader Marine Tondelier is campaigning while pregnant, socialist Party (PS) leader Olivier Faure and even possibly ex-president Fr...

Ukraine showing ‘remarkable innovation’: Kyiv ‘holding front line’ while striking Russia’s economy

Genie Godula is pleased to welcome Samantha de Bendern, Associate Fellow at Chatham House, author, and political risk and financial consultant. Europe is taking increasingly consequential steps to support Ukraine, but de Bendern warns that they remain insufficient to address the country's fundamental vulnerability. The transfer of interceptor missiles and the prospect of producing Storm Shadow/SCA...

US unveils expanded sanctions aimed at Iran's 'economic asphyxiation'

The US on Monday announced an expansion of secondary sanctions it hopes will "sever every economic lifeline" ​that sustains ‌Iran, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said at a press conference. The expanded sanctions target Iran's digital assets, technology, gold, aviation and shipping sectors.

US unveils expanded sanctions to 'sever every economic lifeline' sustaining Iran

The US on Monday announced an expansion of secondary sanctions it hopes will "sever every economic lifeline" ​that sustains ‌Iran, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said at a press conference. The expanded sanctions target Iran's digital assets, technology, gold, aviation and shipping sectors.

US unveils fresh sanctions to 'sever every economic lifeline' sustaining Iran

US vows 'economic asphyxiation' of Iran with new sanctions

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Monday laid out plans for the "economic asphyxiation" of Iran, expanding Washington's secondary sanctions threats and warning of dire consequences for countries that do not join the campaign.

Iran predicts ‘another defeat’ for US after Washington's new sanctions

Iranian Economy Minister Ali Madanizadeh on Monday warned of "another defeat" for the US after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced expanded sanctions against Tehran. Madanizadeh said Iran had a "two-year plan" to counter the new sanctions and dismissed Bessent's stated efforts to sever "every economic lifeline" sustaining Iran. Read our blog to see how the day's events unfolded.

Mideast live: Iran predicts ‘another defeat’ for US after Washington's new sanctions

Iranian Economy Minister Ali Madanizadeh on Monday warned of "another defeat" for the US after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced expanded sanctions against Tehran. Madanizadeh said Iran had a "two-year plan" to counter the new sanctions and dismissed Bessent's stated efforts to sever "every economic lifeline" sustaining Iran. Follow our liveblog for the latest updates.

Mideast live: Iran predicts ‘another defeat’ for US after Washington slaps new sanctions

Iranian Economy Minister Ali Madanizadeh on Monday warned of "another defeat" for the US after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced expanded sanctions against Tehran. Madanizadeh said Iran had a "two-year plan" to counter the new sanctions and dismissed Bessent's stated efforts to sever "every economic lifeline" sustaining Iran. Follow our liveblog for the latest updates.

Mideast live: US unveils fresh sanctions to 'sever every economic lifeline' sustaining Iran

The US on Monday expanded Iran-related secondary sanctions to five new sectors aimed at severing "every economic lifeline" sustaining Tehran, said US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. The expanded sanctions came as President Donald Trump on Monday said Iran is "completely collapsing" in a message posted on social media. Follow our liveblog for the latest updates.

Mideast live: Trump claims Iran is ‘completely collapsing’ as US readies new sanctions

President Donald Trump on Monday said Iran is "completely collapsing" in a message posted on social media just hours before the US was set to announce details of new sanctions against Tehran. Iran’s foreign ministry has warned that Tehran will respond harshly to expanded sanctions, including measures against countries cooperating with Washington. Follow our liveblog for the latest updates.

Middle East live: Iran warns of a harsh response to anticipated US sanctions

Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson on Monday warned that Tehran would respond harshly to expanded US sanctions, including measures against countries it sees as cooperating with Washington. The prospect of expanded sanctions comes after weeks of impasse, with the United States having not yet dislodged Iran’s grip on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Follow our liveblog for the latest updates...

Guinea searches for survivors after landfill landslides kill 30

In Guinea, a landslide at a garbage dump outside the capital Conakry has claimed the lives of at least 30 people. The government of the West African country says it has mobilised significant resources to try and find survivors that may still be trapped under massive piles of waste. Less than a week ago, that same government had announced plans to close the Dar-es-Salam landfill due to dangerous co...

US sanctions 'unlikely to get Tehran to bow down' despite effect on population

Iran has warned that Tehran would respond harshly to expanded U.S. sanctions, including measures against countries it sees as cooperating with Washington. The expanded sanctions come after weeks of impasse. The United States has not dislodged Iran’s grip on the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world’s traded oil passed before the war started nearly six months ago. Now, Washington is ...

Humanoid robot beats Usain Bolt's 100m world record

Robots exceeded human records at the World Robot Games over the weekend in Beijing's Olympic speed skating arena as China showcased its dominance in the industry. Dozens of humanoids and their human operators competed in events from athletics and boxing to football and martial arts.

Europe ramps up support to Ukraine as its US-dependent air defence runs low

European leaders are meeting Kyiv as Ukraine holds celebrations for its 35th Independence Day. The so-called Coalition of the Willing is set to hold talks regarding support to the country, four-and-a-half years after the Russian invasion started, with the European Union having announced it was releasing over six billion euros in aid. But US support to Kyiv regarding critical air defence is still m...

Volkswagen warns Germany's car-making industry is in jeopardy

The CEO of the German car-making group Volkswagen is warning that the situation at the company is "more than critical". Oliver Blume is saying that ahead of meetings with the car giant's staff. He says Volkswagen and the rest of Germany's car industry are facing "the biggest upheaval in their history" due to global headwinds and Chinese competition.

'Scared to death': Over 40,000 people evacuated as Nevada's Hawk fire spreads

An additional 45,000 people have been placed under evacuation warnings in the northwestern US state of Nevada. This comes as the fast moving Hawk fire threatens the city of Reno. According to officials the fire was "human caused", but they have not detailed if it was set intentionally. Eight hundred firefighters have been mobilized to bring the blazes under control. Unpredictable winds have compli...

France and Saudi Arabia hold talks ranging from Middle East to esports

Mohammed bin Salman has arrived in Paris for a two-day official visit with French President Emmanuel Macron. Talks are expected to include the war in Iran and the Strait of Hormuz, as well as new energy routes to bypass the Strait. The two made an appearance at the closing ceremony of the Esports World Cup, held for the first time outside of Saudi Arabia but largely funded by Riyadh.

War-torn Ukraine celebrates resilience on anniversary of its independence

August 24 marks the 35th anniversary of Ukraine's independence, and it also marks four and a half years of conflict with Russia. As European leaders meet in Kyiv, the Coalition of the Willing is set to chair a meeting with Volodymr Zelensky to discuss ways to bolster support for Ukraine, which is facing an escalating bombing campaign from Moscow.

Iran calls France's decision to expel two Iranian diplomats 'illegal'

Iran's foreign ministry on Monday said France's decision to expel two of its diplomats was “illegal”. France's move came in retaliation for Tehran's decision not to allow two French diplomats to return to its territory.

Strategic talks in Paris show France and Saudi Arabia 'need each other too much'

The Saudi crown prince and French President Emmanuel Macron are to chair on August 24 the first meeting of the Saudi-French strategic partnership council, and a number of agreements arer expected to be signed. Among them are a new Dragon-Ball themed amusement park deal in the Paris region and the sale of French military equipment to the kingdom. FRANCE 24's Philip Turle tells us more on what to kn...

Despite ceasefire, Israeli strikes still kill in Gaza and the West Bank

Despite a ceasefire that has been in place since October 2025, violence continues in Gaza. On August 23, Israeli strikes left several people dead in the enclave, and a young boy was killed by the Israeli military in the West Bank, according to local authorities. Since the announcement of the truce, more than 1,280 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, while Israel has reported the launch of dron...