World News Hub

Hospitals on red alert as France sees hottest day ever

France recorded its hottest day ever Tuesday as an extreme heat wave gripped Europe. With temperatures set to be scorching again on Wednesday, France 24's Andrew Hilliar reports from outside a Paris hospital, where he says there has already been an influx of patients suffering from heat-related illnesses.

Israel and Lebanon discuss plan to transfer some southern territory to Lebanese army

Israeli and Lebanese negotiators in Washington are discussing a US-backed pilot project under which Israeli troops would hand back control over some territory in southern Lebanon to the Lebanese Armed Forces, according to officials from the two countries.

All guns blazing as Messi, Mbappé and Haaland lead World Cup Golden Boot race

Just Fontaine has reigned as the World Cup's record scorer at a single tournament since 1958. But with Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland each piling on the goals for their respective countries, and the likes of Harry Kane and Cristiano Ronaldo in pursuit, the decades-old record is looking vulnerable for the first time.

World Cup 2026: Ronaldo answers critics as Portugal get back on track

Cristiano Ronaldo responded to criticism in the best possible way on Tuesday against Uzbekistan (5–0). The 41-year-old striker scored twice to lead his country to their first victory in this World Cup.

World Cup: Cristiano Ronaldo answers critics as Portugal get back on track

Cristiano Ronaldo responded to criticism in the best possible way on Tuesday against Uzbekistan (5–0). The 41-year-old striker scored twice to lead his country to their first victory in this World Cup.

France outage leaves 68,000 homes without power as record heatwave spreads north

A power outage caused by a record-breaking heatwave left around 68,000 households without electricity in France's western Brittany on Wednesday as the national weather agency issued a red alert for extreme weather covering most of the country, including the northernmost region around Calais.

NATO's Rutte aims to soothe Trump on White House visit ahead of July summit

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte is set to hold talks with US President Donald Trump at the White House on Wednesday, aiming to mollify the volatile US leader two weeks before the annual summit of the military alliance and as the Pentagon reviews the size of the US military footprint in Europe.

World Cup 2026: Colombia battle past DR Congo to reach round of 32

⁠Colombia secured ​their place in the World Cup knockouts round with a game to spare after a 1-0 victory over DR Congo pushed them back to the top of Group ​K ‌on Tuesday, with Daniel Munoz ⁠finding a winner in the 76th minute after the South Americans had been ‌frustrated for much of the evening.

France’s latest heatwave: ‘Temperatures will fall, and we won’t talk about it anymore’

The heatwave that has engulfed France is underscoring the country’s lack of preparedness for climate change. Researcher and climate scientist François Gemenne laments that this is only considered a crisis during heatwaves, saying that France urgently needs to renovate its buildings – and reconsider its aversion to air conditioning.

Middle East live: US-Iran technical talks to restart next week, mediator Pakistan says

Technical discussions between the United States and Iran, which are being mediated by Pakistan, are to resume next week, a spokesman for Pakistan's foreign ministry told journalists in Islamabad on Wednesday. He said that the talks would presumably happen on Tuesday adding next Monday or Wednesday were also possible start dates, though there were no additional details given on the location of the ...

Middle East live: Oman announces temporary maritime corridor through Strait of Hormuz

Oman said on Tuesday it had coordinated with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to provide a temporary maritime corridor for vessels seeking to transit the Strait of Hormuz, the state news agency reported. Follow our liveblog for the latest developments.

Kim Jong Un unveils 5,000-ton destroyer, touting nuclear capabilities

North Korea has commissioned a 5,000-ton destroyer, state media reported on Wednesday, as Kim Jong Un touted the warship as evidence of advancing naval nuclear capabilities and Pyongyang’s expanding ability to project military power at sea.

World Cup 2026: Budimir strike gives Croatia vital win over Panama

Croatia secured their first points of the World Cup on Tuesday with a narrow 1-0 win over Panama, courtesy of a second-half strike from substitute Ante Budimir, a result that eliminated the Central American side from Group L contention.

Croatia edge Panama to keep World Cup hopes alive

Croatia secured their first points of the World Cup on Tuesday with a narrow 1-0 win over Panama, courtesy of a second-half strike from substitute Ante Budimir, a result that eliminated the Central American side from Group L contention.

Savannah Guthrie's mother may be dead, according to note from kidnappers

“Today” co-host Savannah Guthrie made an emotional on-air appeal on Tuesday for information about her mother, who disappeared from her Arizona home nearly five months ago, a day after reports revealed a previously undisclosed note suggesting the missing 84-year-old may have died shortly after her abduction.

World Cup 2026: Ronaldo becomes first player to score in six editions

Scoring a brace against Uzbekistan on Tuesday, Cristiano Ronaldo made history by becoming the first player to score in six different editions of the FIFA World Cup. The 41-year-old will hope to secure Portugal a knockout stage berth, with the squad facing Colombia for their final group stage match on Saturday.

World Cup 2026: England held by Ghana in goalless Group L stalemate

France record heatwave sees 'hairdryer effect' threaten crops

Crops in the French region of Normandy are under threat from the latest heatwave. A combination of high soil temperatures with hot winds can see crops wither in hours - dubbed the ‘hairdryer effect’ - it now threatens the region's food production. FRANCE 24's Daniel Quinlan reports.

Outdoor workers battle soaring temperatures as France sees hottest day since records began

France experienced its hottest day since records began on Tuesday, a record it will likely break again on Wednesday. Officials have advised people to avoid travel and work from home when possible. But for some, this isn't an option. FRANCE 24's Juliette Brown reports.

French Resistance hero and historian Marc Bloch enters France's Pantheon

French Resistance fighter and pioneering historian Marc Bloch entered France's Pantheon on Tuesday, becoming the first historian to receive one of the nation's highest honours. The ceremony comes amid renewed political debate over his anti-nationalist legacy less than a year before France's presidential election.

Deschamps to miss France's final group match against Norway after mother's death

France coach Didier Deschamps will miss his side's final World Cup group match against Norway after returning home following the death of his mother, the French Football Federation said on Tuesday. Assistant Guy Stephan will take charge as France, already through to the last 32, seek top spot in Group I.

Deschamps to miss France's final group match after mother's death

France coach Didier Deschamps will miss his side's final World Cup group match against Norway after returning home following the death of his mother, the French Football Federation said on Tuesday. Assistant Guy Stephan will take charge as France, already through to the last 32, seek top spot in Group I.

UN chief calls on AI firms to 'come clean' on environmental costs

As Europe swelters under a major heatwave, the energy-intensiveness of artificial intelligence has come into the spotlight.  At a climate conference in London, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called on AI companies to disclose the environmental impact of their systems.  Plus, Iran rejects the US's claim that any frozen Iranian assets, once unlocked, will be controlled by the US and Qatar and...

Trump, without proof, blames ‘vandalism’ as Reflecting Pool turns green again

With algae-green water and blue peeling paint, the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is set to be drained again, despite Donald Trump's recent renovation costing over $14 million. Trump has blamed the problems on "vandalism," claiming a 350-foot gash was deliberately cut into the pool and saying multiple arrests have been made. However, he has not publicly provided evidence for the claims, despite ...

Macron pays tribute to Marc Bloch and 'his teachings against the spirit of defeatism'

French Resistance fighter Marc Bloch, who was tortured and executed by the Gestapo in 1944, entered the Pantheon on Tuesday, becoming the first historian to receive the honour bestowed on exceptional figures in politics, culture and science. French President Emmanuel Macron paid tribute the historian of Jewish heritage and "his teachings that compel us to move forward, against the spirit of defeat...