Rescue operation at Japan shopping mall destroyed in quake
Rescuers battled through the tangled wreckage of a Japanese shopping mall Wednesday searching for any trapped survivors after a big earthquake killed at least 13 people.
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Cats, dogs and horses: Rescuing the pets caught in France’s wildfires
Raging wildfires four times the size of Paris have forced thousands to evacuate their homes in the fire-ravaged region of Gironde in southwestern France. Many of the evacuees were forced to leave their pets behind amid the ensuing chaos. Our special correspondent in Gironde reports on the volunteers dedicated to rescuing the four-legged victims of the catastrophic wildfires.
Public executions in Iran spark anti-regime protests
The Islamic Republic publicly executed two Iranian protesters in Isfahan at dawn on July 28. Several hundred people gathered near a stage set up in the city’s Alikhani Square, but instead of cheering the execution, they chanted slogans against the police, prompting anti-riot units to disperse the crowd.
'Two options' for Trump in Middle East war: 'he waits or he escalates massively'
US President Donald Trump confirmed on Fox News that the US and Saudi Arabia coordinated attacks on Iran-backed Iraqi militias with the Iraqi government itself. But Iraq has called the strikes a 'blatant violation', and its prime minister has called off a meeting with the Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salmane due to the attack. This comes as the US struggles to put an end to the war with Iran. FRANCE ...
Drones and bulldozers: how the army is helping battle the blaze in France's southwest
Some 1,500 French soldiers have been deployed to help combat the Gironde fire. A team of France Television reporters was granted permission to embed with some of them to see how they help support local firefighters. From widening forest trails to helping identify hotspots, potential looters or civilians trapped by the flames, they are proving useful support to firefighters.
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French wildfires: FRANCE 24 goes on the ground with firefighters
In France, the Gironde prefecture reported a second calm night and said the massive fire in the southwest was stable - but conditions are set to worsen as the country is about to be hit by a fourth heatwave, with temperatures expected to go above 40 degree celsius in the afflicted area. FRANCE 24 went with firefighters on the ground to understand what areas are considered sensitive as they battle ...
Comoros welcomes addition of centuries-old medinas to Unesco list
UNESCO has added six centuries–old medinas in the Comoros to its World Heritage List, drawing praise from the country's authorities as well as conservationists. Build as far back as the 12th century these ancient palaces, mosques and public squares were linked by a series of narrow streets and protected by imposing medieval walls.
Madagascar struggles to deal with wave of kidnappings hitting capital city
In Madagascar, the capital remains shaken. Since the end of June, a wave of disappearances and kidnappings has hit Antananarivo, affecting mostly children and teenagers. Last Friday, the country observed a national day of mourning for the victims. The government has announced the creation of an anti-kidnapping task force, as reports continue to come in. FRANCE 24's Aurélie Kouman met with police o...
Despite praise, Chad to withdraw from the International Criminal Court
Chad announced that it is withdrawing from the Rome Statute and, therefore, from the International Criminal Court, as several other countries in the Sahel region have done. In an official statement, Chad’s government criticised the ICC’s alleged partiality, arguing that most of its investigations have concerned the African continent.
FIFA private investor plans spark backlash, UEFA fury
FIFA said Tuesday it plans to sell a stake in the business operations of the World Cup and its other competitions through the creation of a semi-private subsidiary. The decision marks a dramatic attempt to reshape the commercial landscape of global football, while opening a new front in a long-running battle with Europe for control over the massive wealth generated by the sport.
As fires still blaze, France thinks about how to rebuild its forests
As France grapples with wildfires, President Emmanuel Macron has spoken about the steps ahead to rebuilding forests. What would this look like and what are the options available? The European Environment Agency calls for more fire-resistant vegetation and natural barriers to limit the spread. what is also crucial is allowing forests to return to a wilder state, with diverse landscapes being more r...
Japan searches for earthquake survivors as thousands evacuate
After a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Japan on July 28, the country's prime minister said 13 people had died so far and many were injured. The rescue work is ongoing to find those still missing. The earthquake struck the Kumamoto area on the southern main island of Kyushu, forcing over 260,000 people to evacuate. Roads were ruptured while homes across the region saw power knocked out.
France threatens to expel Russian journalist Fedorova over alleged Kremlin propaganda
France has ordered Russian journalist Xenia Fedorova to leave the country, the interior ministry said Wednesday, amid accusations that she spread Kremlin propaganda on French television and radio. Fedorova's lawyer said she would “immediately lodge an appeal”, while her employers condemned the order as a “particularly serious breach of freedom of expression”.
France orders Russian journalist Xenia Fedorova to leave country over alleged Kremlin propaganda
France has ordered Russian journalist Xenia Fedorova to leave the country, the interior ministry said on Wednesday, amid accusations that she spread Kremlin propaganda through French television and radio ahead of next year's presidential election. Fedorova's lawyer said the journalist would “immediately lodge an appeal” against the expulsion order.
France expels Russian journalist Xenia Fedorova over alleged Kremlin propaganda
France has ordered Russian journalist Xenia Fedorova to leave the country, the interior ministry said on Wednesday, amid accusations that she has spread Kremlin propaganda through French television and radio ahead of next year's presidential election.
What to know about France's fourth heatwave of the year
Firefighters are worrying that strengthening winds and an incoming heatwave could reignite embers and make it harder to battle blazes in France's southwest, as temperatures are set to go above 40 degrees celsius in the area. In Paris, up to 38 degrees are expected for what is now the fourth heatwave of the year. FRANCE 24's Luke Shrago tells us more.
Firefighter 'morale remains high' despite heatwave coming to France's blazing southwest
In the southwest of France, temperatures are expected to go over 40 degree celsius just as firefighters have managed to stabilise the mass blazes in the forests of the Gironde region. They are expecting the heatwave to set fires going again but 'morale remains high', says FRANCE 24's Carys Garland, as firefighters first and foremost committed to protecting local communities.
Peru takes ultraconservative turn as Fujimori becomes president
Peru's new president Keiko Fujimori was sworn in on July 28, taking her oath of office before the country's Congress. The conservative leader now becomes the Andean nation's 9th chief executive in just 10 years - her electoral victory, an extremely narrow one - with just 50,000 votes separating her from left-wing rival Roberto Sanchez. Fujimori, wasting no time in naming her cabinet and rolling ou...
Nepal's tiger numbers rise 20 percent to an estimated 429
The number of tigers in Nepal has risen by roughly a fifth over the past four years, wildlife officials say, strengthening the Himalayan's reputation for conservation. But as the number of tigers in the wild has risen, the number of tiger attacks on humans has increased with it.
Nepal's tiger numbers climb 20 percent to estimated 429: survey
Nepal's tiger population has risen by roughly 20 percent in the past four years to an estimated 429, officials said on Wednesday, a conservation milestone despite challenges from human-wildlife conflict.
UK looks to build naval coalition to secure shipping in Strait of Hormuz
US and Saudi forces said they struck an Iraqi militant alliance on July 29, as the Middle East war expands beyond its main focus in Iran to involve the Islamic republic's proxies. The strikes follow a short lull in direct US attacks on targets in Iran, with Tehran's allies in Yemen and beyond becoming increasingly drawn in. This comes as the UK is looking to build a naval coalition to secure the S...
'Climate change is really here: We should seize this crisis moment to create a new momentum'
Oliver Farry is pleased to welcome Jean-Pascal van Ypersele, Climate Scientist and Professor at the Universities of Louvain and Liège in Belgium. Europe's latest heatwave is further evidence of a structural transformation of the continent's climate, warns Professor van Ypersele. His central argument rejects both fatalism and complacency. While insisting that humanity has not yet reached "the point...
How volunteers are helping forest wildlife survive their blazing habitats
Humans are not the only victims of the massive wildfires that have ravaged France over recent weeks. Heartrending images of deer and other wildlife fleeing flames, disoriented and distressed, have propagated across social media in recent days. Less visible species - smaller mammals and insects whose populations are critical to fragile ecosystems - have also been decimated. Groups of volunteers hav...
Incoming heatwave set to worsen firefighting conditions in France's southwest
While the fire in the southwest of France in the Gironde department remains stabilised, officials are on edge today, as scorching temperatures hit France again. On July 28, there were some 14 incidents where scorched terrain reignited, sending firefighters racing in. With 42,000 hectares burned, and in total over 220,000 evacuated - including some 57,000 from towns outside Bordeaux overnight, the...
What to know about the earthquake's aftermath in Japan
Five people have been confirmed dead in a factory damaged by a major earthquake in Japan, here part of a red-and-white smokestack collapsed in the quake. At least 13 died after a shopping mall was badly damaged, as the search for survivors is ongoing. The earthquake flattened homes, triggered fires, ruptured bridges and left thousands of people with no power. FRANCE 24's Gavin Blair tells us more ...
Heatwave comes into southwest of France as firefighters keep battling blaze
The huge fire raging in France's southwest has stabilised, according to French officials, with authorities letting nearly 60,000 evacuees return to their homes - but 14 blazes have also reigniting. Now, firefighters are trying to contain the fires as the fourth heatwave of the year comes in, set to make the firefighting mission harder. FRANCE 24's Carys Garland is on a convoy with firefighters and...
Netanyahu praises 'excellent' meeting with Trump in first since Iran war
US President Donald Trump and Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met in Washington D.C on July 28 as Netanyahu flew over for the funeral of US Senator Lindsay Graham. It was the first time the two have met in person since launching their joint war against Iran in February. Despite rumours of tensions between Trump and his ally prior to discussions, both sides praised the meeting.
US says Iran trying to 'derail ongoing ceasefire talks' as strikes resume
Jordan's army said it intercepted five Iranian missiles on July 29, Tehran's first regional strike in days following a pause in fighting between it and the United States. Iran's Revolutionary Guards confirmed the attack, saying it was in response to "the aggressive actions" of the United States, without elaborating. The attack was the first Iranian strike on regional countries in days. FRANCE 24's...
At least 13 dead in Japan after powerful earthquake
After a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Japan on July 28, the country's Prime Minister said thirteen people had died, including five in a factory, so far and many were injured. The rescue work is ongoing to find those still missing. The earthquake struck the Kumamoto area on the southern main island of Kyushu. Japan is one of the world's most seismically active countries, sitting on top of four ma...