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Debate on French bill outlawing ‘new forms of anti-Semitism' pushed back
France 24 •

Debate on French bill outlawing ‘new forms of anti-Semitism' pushed back

French lawmakers from President Emmanuel Macron's Renaissance party on Thursday withdrew the "Yadan bill" from the National Assembly's agenda on Thursday. The proposed law, which aimed to fight back against "new forms of anti-Semitism" in France, has sparked controversy and backlash in recent weeks.

‘We're asking for our husbands' salaries’: The plight of soldiers' widows in eastern DR Congo
France 24 •

‘We're asking for our husbands' salaries’: The plight of soldiers' widows in eastern DR Congo

Plastic sheeting serving as tents and mattresses laid on the ground: in Beni, Democratic Republic of Congo, the widows of fallen soldiers are struggling to survive in a makeshift camp. They say they fled the capital of North Kivu province, Goma, after it fell to the M23 rebels in January 2025. Left with nothing, they are demanding access to a share of their late husband’s pension.

'Lebanon is being held hostage by Hezbollah acting at Iran's behest'
France 24 •

'Lebanon is being held hostage by Hezbollah acting at Iran's behest'

Hezbollah plunged Lebanon into war with Israel in early March. Six weeks later, the group, which had suffered setbacks in 2024, is still putting up a fight. But how? And can the Lebanese government succeed in getting the militant group to disarm? In this edition of Middle East Matters, we are joined by Dr. Matthew Levitt, Fromer-Wexler Senior Fellow at the Washington Institute and Director of its ...

'Lebanon is being held hostage to Hezbollah acting at Iran's behest'
France 24 •

'Lebanon is being held hostage to Hezbollah acting at Iran's behest'

Hezbollah plunged Lebanon into war with Israel in early March. Six weeks later, the group, which had suffered setbacks in 2024, is still putting up a fight. But how? And can the Lebanese government succeed in getting the militant group to disarm? In this edition of Middle East Matters, we are joined by Dr. Matthew Levitt, Fromer-Wexler Senior Fellow at the Washington Institute and Director of its ...

Lebanon president had phone call with Trump, thanked him for 'efforts' towards ceasefire

Lebanon president had phone call with Trump, thanked him for 'efforts' towards ceasefire

France 24 •

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun held a phone call with Donald Trump on Thursday during which he thanked the US leader for his "efforts" to secure a ceasefire with Israel, the presidency in Beirut said. The call comes after Aoun rejected a US request for a "direct call" with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to an official Lebanese source, and a day after Trump announced an expect...

Russia escalates internet crackdown, says curbs are temporary

Russia escalates internet crackdown, says curbs are temporary

France 24 •

The Kremlin said on Tuesday that internet ​restrictions, which it conceded had caused disruption to many Russians, were needed for security reasons, but that they ​were ‌temporary in nature and would ⁠be lifted once it was safe to do so. Authorities shut ‌down the mobile internet in Moscow for nearly ⁠three weeks in March and regularly block it elsewhere across the world's largest country, ​citing...

Antisemitism and apology for terrorism 'already illegal in France': Is Yadan Law 'really necessary?'

Antisemitism and apology for terrorism 'already illegal in France': Is Yadan Law 'really necessary?'

France 24 •

As France debates a controversial antisemitism bill, Oliver Farry welcomes Renaud Foucart, Economist, Senior Lecturer at Lancaster University, for a nuanced and critical examination of the so-called Yadan Law. Speaking from both an economic and institutional perspective, he evokes three competing imperatives: the urgent need to combat anti-Semitism, the preservation of freedom of expression, and t...

Savour or scramble? France's changing lunch breaks

Savour or scramble? France's changing lunch breaks

France 24 •

From a quick sandwich or a supermarket salad, to a three-course meal, to solo dining, lunch breaks are evolving in France. Has French culture reached a fork in the road when it comes to its traditional lunch break? With upcoming reforms to meal vouchers (titres-restaurant), we take a look at how the midday meal is gradually changing shape.

French billionaire Bollore sparks turmoil at top publisher Grasset

French billionaire Bollore sparks turmoil at top publisher Grasset

France 24 •

French conservative billionaire Vincent Bollore came under attack from dozens of authors on Thursday at one of his flagship publishing brands, as he continues to reshape the country's media landscape. Olivier Nora, who had headed Grasset for 26 years, left on Tuesday with no explanation, though reports claimed he had been sacked by Bollore following a disagreement about a book. The turmoil at Gras...

Israel-Lebanon peace talks: Future negotiations depend on 'confidence-building measures'

Israel-Lebanon peace talks: Future negotiations depend on 'confidence-building measures'

France 24 •

Angela Diffley is pleased to welcome Bilal Y. Saab, Senior Managing Director of TRENDS US.Former Pentagon Official in the first Trump administration. According to Saab, Lebanon is at a crossroads: the government is committed to reform, is fundamentally “pro-Lebanese” and rejects interference from external actors. The central challenge remains Hezbollah, an entrenched, hybrid actor operating across...

Author Ece Temelkuran finds solidarity in her 'Nation of Strangers'

Author Ece Temelkuran finds solidarity in her 'Nation of Strangers'

France 24 •

Exiles, migrants, refugees: there are as many ways to label "strangers" as there are to misunderstand them and reduce their identity to their outsider status. Ece Temelkuran explores this existential and very physical reality in her new book "Nation of Strangers", as the Turkish author and journalist reflects upon what it means to lose one's home morally, spiritually and politically.

Lebanon's Aoun will not hold call with Netanyahu in near future, Lebanese officials say

Lebanon's Aoun will not hold call with Netanyahu in near future, Lebanese officials say

France 24 •

Lebanon's ⁠President Joseph ​Aoun will not ​hold a call with Israeli Prime Minister ​Benjamin Netanyahu ‌in ⁠the near future, ‌three Lebanese officials told Reuters ⁠on Thursday, after US President Donald ​Trump said leaders ‌of both countries would speak. Two of ‌the Lebanese officials ​said that the Lebanese embassy in Washington had informed ​the US ​administration before ​a call between Aoun a...

FRANCE 24 report: Lebanon’s displaced turn to private aid groups as state support struggles

FRANCE 24 report: Lebanon’s displaced turn to private aid groups as state support struggles

France 24 •

As the war continues in Lebanon, so do the waves of displacement. Thousands of families are leaving their homes, and searching for temporary shelter in a country already straining under the weight of war. Government aid is limited, so private groups are stepping in to fill the gap and ease the suffering. FRANCE 24’s Abdelkader Dermas and Cyril Payen report from Beirut.

REPLAY: US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth leads press conference on Iran war

REPLAY: US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth leads press conference on Iran war

France 24 •

The United States will blockade Iranian ports for "as long as it takes," US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Thursday, threatening renewed strikes if Tehran does not make a deal. "If Iran chooses poorly, then they will have a blockade and bombs dropping on infrastructure, power and energy," Hegseth told a news conference at the Pentagon. Watch our replay.

Russia toughens restrictions on VPNs amid internet crackdown

Russia toughens restrictions on VPNs amid internet crackdown

France 24 •

Russia has hardened its restrictions on the use of VPNs to access a host of online services, state and independent media outlets reported Wednesday, as the authorities seek to exert more control over online communications. Virtual private networks (VPNs) allow users to mask the websites they visit, enhancing security. They have boomed in popularity in Russia in recent years as a way to circumvent ...

The heartbeat of France: Fanfare culture

The heartbeat of France: Fanfare culture

France 24 •

This week in French Connections we take a step away from the news and focus on France's love for a specific type of musical ensemble, known as a fanfare. Somewhere between a marching band and a brass band, "la fanfare" is an institution in France and it says a lot about the country because its history partially mirrors the history of France. Join us for a closer look inside the country's loudest t...

Pope Leo blasts 'handful of tyrants' ravaging world during Cameroon visit

Pope Leo blasts 'handful of tyrants' ravaging world during Cameroon visit

France 24 •

Pope Leo XIV condemned "a handful of tyrants" that were ravaging the world with war on Thursday, calling instead for the billions spent every year on weapons to go instead towards healthcare and education. The pontiff's strident comments came during a visit to Cameroon's separatist west, where thousands of people have been killed in a years-long conflict.

Pope Leo blasts the 'tyrants' ravaging Earth with war and exploitation on Cameroon visit

Pope Leo blasts the 'tyrants' ravaging Earth with war and exploitation on Cameroon visit

France 24 •

Pope Leo XIV condemned "a handful of tyrants" that were ravaging the world with war on Thursday, calling instead for the billions spent every year on weapons to go instead towards healthcare and education. The pontiff's strident comments came during a visit to Cameroon's separatist west, where thousands of people have been killed in a years-long conflict.

Spain at risk of housing bubble as Madrid attracts wealthy foreigners

Spain at risk of housing bubble as Madrid attracts wealthy foreigners

France 24 •

In the last few years, Madrid has become a destination of choice for wealthy Latin American investors, as well as for young Americans. The latter are settling in the most historical areas of the Spanish capital, driving up prices in an already competitive housing market. FRANCE 24's Maude Petit-Jové and Sarah Morris report.

Bohlale Mphahlele: Inventor of Alerting Earpiece on helping save women's lives

Bohlale Mphahlele: Inventor of Alerting Earpiece on helping save women's lives

France 24 •

A woman who came to the world's attention at the age of just 16 has spoken to FRANCE 24 about how helping women has been an honour for her. Now 22, as a teenager Bohlale Mphahlele invented what she calls the Alerting Earpiece, designed to help protect women against sexual predators. She spoke to us in Perspective about how she continues to fight for women today.

Sudan civil war: Civilians caught in the deadly crossfire of a ruthless army-RSF power struggle

Sudan civil war: Civilians caught in the deadly crossfire of a ruthless army-RSF power struggle

France 24 •

François Picard welcomes Dallia Abdelmoniem, Political / Media Analyst and Commentator on African and Middle Eastern affairs. Sudan is a war-torn nation unraveling in real time, warns Abdelmoniem. She says that we are not just witnessing a conflict between rival armed factions; it is a systematic war on civilians, where survival itself has become an act of chance.

Sudan civil war: Civilians caught in the deadly crossfire of a ruthless army-RSF power struggle

Sudan civil war: Civilians caught in the deadly crossfire of a ruthless army-RSF power struggle

France 24 •

François Picard welcomes Dallia Abdelmoniem, Political / Media Analyst and Commentator on African and Middle Eastern affairs. Sudan is a war-torn nation unraveling in real time, warns Abdelmoniem. She says that we are not just witnessing a conflict between rival armed factions; it is a systematic war on civilians, where survival itself has become an act of chance. From displacement and starvation ...

Netanyahu will speak with Lebanese president Aoun, Israeli minister says

Netanyahu will speak with Lebanese president Aoun, Israeli minister says

France 24 •

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will speak with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Thursday, according to Israel's Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology Gila Gamliel. US President Donald Trump had said the "leaders" of Israel and Lebanon would speak for the first time on Thursday, in what would be a historic first. Gamliel's statement was the first confirmation from an official ...