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World Cup 2026: Fans in Houston deterred by soaring ticket prices
France 24

World Cup 2026: Fans in Houston deterred by soaring ticket prices

The fan zones are open, the stadiums are ready and the biggest World Cup in history is officially underway in the US, Mexico and Canada. Seven matchs are planned in Houston, Texas. The host city expects to attract around half a million visitors and an economic windfall of $1.5 billion. Yet some hotels remain half empty and many fans complain that soaring ticket prices have made the tournament unaf...

Escaping Kabul: The secret operation to exfiltrate the Afghan women's cycling team
France 24

Escaping Kabul: The secret operation to exfiltrate the Afghan women's cycling team

Nearly five years ago, the Taliban seized control of Kabul and imposed Sharia law in Afghanistan. The women's cycling team, which was due to take part in international competitions, found itself more threatened than ever before. An unprecedented plan was put in place to smuggle the professional cyclists out of the country in complete secrecy. Reporters Matteo Born and Alain Rimbert look back at th...

Escaping Kabul: the secret operation to exfiltrate the Afghan women's cycling team
France 24

Escaping Kabul: the secret operation to exfiltrate the Afghan women's cycling team

Nearly five years ago, the Taliban seized control of Kabul and imposed Sharia law in Afghanistan. The women's cycling team, which was due to take part in international competitions, found itself more threatened than ever before. An unprecedented plan was put in place to smuggle the professional cyclists out of the country in complete secrecy. Reporters Matteo Born and Alain Rimbert look back at th...

Unfilled hotels and empty seats raise doubts over expected World Cup windfall
France 24

Unfilled hotels and empty seats raise doubts over expected World Cup windfall

It's the biggest sporting event on the planet so questions as to whether the World Cup will spark a tourism bonanza in the host nation - or in this case nations - should be a foregone conclusion. And yet there are serious questions over whether that will indeed be the case in 2026, with hotels unfilled and stadium seats empty as the tournament gets underway on Monday. Luke Shrago takes a closer lo...

Will fully autonomous killer drones be the next step in modern warfare?

Will fully autonomous killer drones be the next step in modern warfare?

France 24

Drones have become a major part of modern warfare but the vast majority still require a human to control them. But companies are now developing drones that are powered by AI and can operate autonomously. A recent report in “New Scientist” claimed that for the first time, fully autonomous drones have actually been used to deadly effect on the battlefield in Ukraine. Monte Francis has the details.

Anger swells in Albania over Trump-linked resort project

Anger swells in Albania over Trump-linked resort project

France 24

Thousands of protesters marched through Albania's capital on Thursday, the latest in a series of demonstrations against a planned resort linked to the Trump family. For over a week, daily demonstrations have been held in Tirana against the project connected to US President Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner.

Lyhanna case triggers calls for law change in France

Lyhanna case triggers calls for law change in France

France 24

The death of 11-year-old Lyhanna, whose body was found in an abandoned silo, has shocked France and galvanized a population who say that her death was entirely preventible. They blame the slow justice system which failed to bring the main suspect into custody even though he was the subject of several reports of sexual violence. Activist groups in France are calling for stricter and more comprehens...

EU's new rules on migration and asylum come into effect

EU's new rules on migration and asylum come into effect

France 24

Five years in the making, the EU's Pact on Migration and Asylum comes into effect this Friday. It aims to strengthen the bloc's external borders and incentivise cooperation between member countries on dealing with claims. Human rights groups, though, are warning the pact could add to the difficulties asylum-seekers face while trying to find safe haven in the EU.

'Filled with joy': Mexico celebrates victory in World Cup opener

'Filled with joy': Mexico celebrates victory in World Cup opener

France 24

There were wild celebrations in Mexico on Thursday after the country won 2-0 against 9-man South Africa in the opening game of the 2026 World Cup at Mexico City's Azteca Stadium, having previously failed to win on the opening day of the tournament on seven previous occasions.

‘All of us are migrants’, says pope on final day of Spain visit

‘All of us are migrants’, says pope on final day of Spain visit

France 24

On the final day of his Spanish tour, Pope Leo XIV on Friday visited Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands, where he urged migrants to do their part to integrate and host communities to welcome newcomers. "All of us are migrants", said the pontiff, urging communities to save people fleeing war, poverty and climate change from the "silent shipwreck" of abandonment. 

Celebrated British contemporary artist David Hockney dies at 88

Celebrated British contemporary artist David Hockney dies at 88

France 24

British artist David Hockney has died at 88, his PR agent said on Friday. Hockney was one of the most influential artists of the 20th and 21st centuries who worked in a range of mediums but was known for his vivid use of colour in paintings depicting scenes from California, Normandy and the UK.

As crises mount, how long can UK's Starmer survive?

As crises mount, how long can UK's Starmer survive?

France 24

British Defence Secretary John Healey resigned on Thursday, accusing Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the Treasury of failing to provide sufficient funding for the armed forces. The departure deepens pressure on Starmer ahead of a crucial by-election and comes amid anti-immigration riots in Belfast and a rise in support for the far-right. France 24s Philip Turle takes a look at the multiple crises ...

‘The future is peace’: An Israeli-Palestinian call for reconciliation

‘The future is peace’: An Israeli-Palestinian call for reconciliation

France 24

Aziz Abu Sarah is Palestinian. Maoz Inon is Israeli. Both their families have been bereaved by the endless conflict between their two communities. With their book "The Future is Peace" published in April, the two authors aim to rally international public opinion behind their project to put an end to the cycle of violence and find a path to reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians. FRANCE 2...

'What makes the Sagrada Família so universal is precisely it being so local, so Catalan'

'What makes the Sagrada Família so universal is precisely it being so local, so Catalan'

France 24

François Picard is pleased to welcome Antoni Vives, former deputy mayor of Barcelona in charge of urban planning. According to Vives, the Sagrada Família is not simply an architectural masterpiece. It is a living demonstration of how authenticity, rootedness and transcendence can converge in a single human project. Its significance lies not only in its extraordinary design, but in its ability to c...

'What makes Gaudí and Sagrada Família so universal is precisely it being so local, so Catalan'

'What makes Gaudí and Sagrada Família so universal is precisely it being so local, so Catalan'

France 24

François Picard is pleased to welcome Antoni Vives, former Deputy Mayor of Barcelona in charge of urban planning. According to Vives, the Sagrada Família is not simply an architectural masterpiece. It is a living demonstration of how authenticity, rootedness, and transcendence can converge in a single human project. Its significance lies not only in its extraordinary design, but in its ability to ...

'What makes Gaudí and Sagrada Familia so universal is precisely it being so local, so Catalan'

'What makes Gaudí and Sagrada Familia so universal is precisely it being so local, so Catalan'

France 24

François Picard is pleased to welcome Antoni Vives, former Deputy Mayor of Barcelona in charge of urban planning. According to Vives, the Sagrada Família is not simply an architectural masterpiece. It is a living demonstration of how authenticity, rootedness, and transcendence can converge in a single human project. Its significance lies not only in its extraordinary design, but in its ability to ...

Belfast unrest: 'Racists and groups allied to the far right are now unified across Europe'

Belfast unrest: 'Racists and groups allied to the far right are now unified across Europe'

France 24

François Picard is pleased to welcome Professor Peter Shirlow, Director of the Institute of Irish Studies at the University of Liverpool. Northern Ireland is once again confronting scenes of unrest, violence, and anti-migrant attacks. Shirlow frames the violence within a wider European and global context. He argues that today's far-right mobilisations are no longer isolated local phenomena but are...

What's in the landmark EU migration reform hardening border protections?

What's in the landmark EU migration reform hardening border protections?

France 24

The EU's major immigration reform allowing member states to reduce protections for asylum seekers comes into force on Friday. The changes have prompted right groups to warn that humanitarian concerns are taking the back seat to politics in Europe, where public opinion has hardened on migration.

What's in the landmark EU asylum reform now coming into effect?

What's in the landmark EU asylum reform now coming into effect?

France 24

The EU's major immigration reform allowing member states to reduce protections for asylum seekers comes into force on Friday. The changes have prompted right groups to warn that humanitarian concerns are taking the back seat to politics in Europe, where public opinion has hardened on migration.

EU adopts major landmark asylum reform hardening border procedures

EU adopts major landmark asylum reform hardening border procedures

France 24

The EU adopts a major immigration reform on Friday that allows member states to reduce protections for asylum-seekers. The changes have prompted right groups to warn that humanitarian concerns are taking the back seat to politics in Europe, where public opinion has hardened on migration.

World Cup 2026: Mexico beat South Africa in opening match

World Cup 2026: Mexico beat South Africa in opening match

France 24

The 2026 World Cup began in Mexico City with an opening ceremony filled with colour, dancing and a performance by global music star Shakira. Julian Quinones and Premier League player Raul Jimenez scored the first goals of the tournament. 

World Cup 2026: Mexico beat South Africa in the opening match

World Cup 2026: Mexico beat South Africa in the opening match

France 24

The 2026 World Cup began in Mexico City with an opening ceremony filled with colour, dancing and a performance by global music star Shakira. Julian Quinones and Premier League player Raul Jimenez scored the first goals of the tournament.