World News Hub

Hungarians look to changed future after pro-EU Magyar's election landslide

Hungarians were waking up to a ​political earthquake on Monday, after a landslide victory for the centre-right opposition reverberated everywhere from Washington to Kyiv, sending local markets surging and turning Budapest into a party zone. Magyar has pledged a sweeping anti-corruption drive, including stronger judicial independence and tougher public procurement rules to help secure the release o...

Pro-EU Hungarian PM-elect Magyar vows to bring in 'new era'

From Madrid to Helsinki, many hope that Hungary's premier-elect Peter Magyar's win will help unshackle the 27-nation European Union as it faces hybrid warfare attacks from Moscow, an antagonistic Washington and Beijing's economic pressure. EU leaders had been increasingly frustrated with Orbán over his takeover of democratic institutions and vetoing of strategic action like a 90-billion-euro loan ...

Hungary's Orban defeated: France's far-right loses an ally

Congratulations from across Europe poured in Monday for Hungarian political newcomer Peter Magyar, who defeated nationalist Viktor Orban in elections seen as a blow to right-wing populism worldwide. In France, the outcome represents a setback for Marine Le Pen’s far-right party, as FRANCE 24’s French Politics Editor Marc Perelman explains.

US-Vatican feud over Iran: Pope Leo pushes back on Trump's criticism

The Pope pushed back Monday on President Donald Trump’s criticism of him over the US-Israel war in Iran, telling reporters that the Vatican’s appeals for peace and reconciliation are rooted in the Gospel, and that he doesn’t fear the Trump administration. Leo XIV's comments came as traffic through the Strait of Hormuz appeared to have come to a halt, an intelligence firm said, and oil prices resum...

French lawmakers to debate bill to return looted colonial-era art

France's lawmakers will on Monday debate a bill to simplify the return of artworks looted during the colonial era to their countries of origin. France still has in its possession tens of thousands of artworks and other prized artefacts that it looted from its colonial empire. FRANCE 24's Carys Garland reports.

US says to blockade Iran ports: What could be the consequences?

The US military said it would begin a blockade of all Iranian ports Monday, after talks between the warring sides in Pakistan collapsed, and despite the Iranian military warning that it would treat any such action as an act of piracy. FRANCE 24's International Affairs Editor takes a look at the potential consequences.

Electoral earthquake: Hungary vote triggers setback for Putin and Trump

Hungarian voters on Sunday ousted long-serving Prime Minister Viktor Orban after 16 years in power, rejecting the authoritarian policies and global far-right movement that he embodied in favor of a pro-European challenger in a bombshell election result with global repercussions. It was a stunning blow for Orbán — a close ally of both US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin —...

In Bangladesh, bus drivers taking enormous risks to go fast and furious

In Bangladesh, a dangerous trend on roads is taking the country by storm — bus drivers taking enormous risks to go fast and furious. Buses are one of the most popular modes of transport in the country, but they face fierce competition. To attract customers, companies are promising to reduce travel times, even if it means taking all sorts of risks.

Hungarian election: EU leaders celebrate Peter Magyar's victory

European leaders heaped praise on Peter Magyar after his stunning election victory in Hungary, not just for what the country's next premier might do but for who he is not — long-serving Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who many saw as a direct threat to the continent's peace and prosperity. The outpouring reflected a deep frustration with Orban across the 27-nation European Union and its institutions,...

Israel presses assault on Lebanon border town ahead of US-hosted talks

Israeli troops launched an attack on Monday to seize a key town in south Lebanon from Hezbollah fighters holed up there, pressing the war on the Iran-backed group on the eve of rare talks between Israeli and Lebanese government envoys. With the Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors to the United States set ​to meet on Tuesday ‌in Washington, Lebanon's foreign minister said Beirut would use face-to-face...

Music show: Papooz set sail on a journey of friendship with new album

On today’s Arts24 Music Show, Jennifer Ben Brahim speaks with Ulysse Cottin, one half of French indie duo Papooz. The band is celebrating ten years of music with a new album, "Papooz and Friends" – a sunny journey featuring some of their favourite collaborators. We also hear from British multi-hyphenate Wesley Joseph, who has just released his much-anticipated debut album, "Forever Ends Someday". ...

Giant marble statues guard Italy’s seas from illegal fishing

An Italian fisherman has come up with an innovative way to protect the seabed from industrial fishing. He has created an underwater museum featuring 49 marble sculptures, designed to deter illegal trawling vessels. As a result, fish are returning to the area, and marine biodiversity is beginning to thrive once again.

Ligue 1: Lyon finally win to reignite their European ambitions

Olympique Lyonnais have returned to winning ways after a nine-game drought, climbing to fifth in the table and keeping their hopes of a Champions League spot alive. Meanwhile in England, Manchester City secured a comfortable win over Chelsea, piling pressure on Arsenal in the title race. The Gunners now lead by just six points ahead of their clash with City next week.

Une bousculade sur un site touristique haïtien fait au moins 30 morts

Dans le nord d'Haïti, une bousculade sur le site touristique d'une ancienne citadelle militaire a fait au moins 30 morts samedi selon le bilan du gouvernement. Le Premier ministre a exprimé sa "profonde tristesse". 

European security 'risks becoming more regionalised' if NATO falls apart, military expert warns

Speaking with FRANCE 24's Mark Owen, Jean-François Bélanger, Assistant Professor at the Institute of Military Operations at the Royal Danish Defence College, explains that "what NATO does really well at the moment is aggregate the different threat perceptions of its members" and a standalone European army risks of provoking a fracture "where security will become more regionalised" at the expense o...

Armed gangs behind killings, kidnappings in Nigeria

In tonight’s edition, violence continues in northern Nigeria, with killings and kidnappings reported in Sokoto State. Also, the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) accuses Ethiopia’s government of violating the Pretoria peace deal that ended the 2020-2022 war, which killed hundreds of thousands. And at Paris Perfume Week, Ghana’s first artisan perfumer is putting African roots at the forefront...

Cold Response 2026: NATO holds Arctic drills to test readiness against Russia

As global attention remains focused on the Middle East, a parallel contest of influence is unfolding in the Far North, where NATO troops have recently carried out a large-scale exercise simulating a Russian invasion. Armoured vehicles, ships, helicopters, and thousands of soldiers braved sub-zero conditions to test their readiness and send a clear message to Moscow. This report from our colleagues...

Pope Leo XIV lands in Algeria for first-ever visit by a pontiff

Pope Leo XIV embarked on the first-ever papal trip to Algeria, aiming to promote Christian-Muslim coexistence at a time of global conflict and honour the locally born inspiration of his religious spirituality, St. Augustine.

‘Change is feasible’ in Hungary after Magyar victory: FT reporter Marton Dunai

Reactions have been pouring in after the election of Peter Magyar as Hungary’s next prime minister, defeating Viktor Orban after 16 years in power. In Perspective, we spoke to Financial Times South-East Europe correspondent Marton Dunai, who said Magyar’s two-thirds majority gives him a powerful mandate and makes real change in Hungary now feasible.

REPLAY: Pope Leo XIV delivers remarks as he opens trip in Algeria

Pope Leo XIV on Monday began a landmark visit to Algeria, where he called for forgiveness in a speech paying tribute to victims of the country's war of independence from France (1954-1962). The pontiff called for peace in all nations to prevail, in a trip overshadowed by the US-Israeli war in Iran and an extraordinary broadside against Leo by President Donald Trump.

French cement-maker Lafarge found guilty of financing jihadists in Syria, former CEO jailed

​A Paris court ​on Monday found cement maker Lafarge, now owned by Switzerland's Holcim, guilty ​of ‌paying the Islamic State group and other jihadists to ⁠keep a plant operating in northern Syria ​during the country's ‌civil war. 

French cement-maker Lafarge found guilty of financing jihadists in Syria

​A Paris court ​on Monday found cement maker Lafarge, now owned by Switzerland's Holcim, guilty ​of ‌paying the Islamic State (IS) group and other jihadists to ⁠keep a plant operating in northern Syria ​during the country's ‌civil war. 

French cement maker Lafarge found guilty of financing jihadists in Syria

​A Paris court ​on Monday found cement maker Lafarge, now owned by Switzerland's Holcim, guilty ​of ‌paying the Islamic State (IS) group and other jihadists to ⁠keep a plant operating in northern Syria ​during the country's ‌civil war. 

French cement-maker Lafarge convicted of terrorism financing over Syria plant

Pope Leo says has 'no intention to debate' with Trump

Pope Leo XIV on Monday said he had "no intention to debate" with Donald Trump, after the US president criticised him over his comments on the US-Iran war. "I am not a politician," the pope told reporters aboard the papal plane as they headed to Algeria for the pontiff's first visit to Africa. "I have no intention to debate with (Trump). The message is the same: to promote peace."