Germany's new chancellor Merz makes his first visit to Paris, France

Putin's order for three-day truce with Ukraine comes into effect

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s unilateral order for a three-day truce in Ukraine took effect Thursday, timed to coincide with Russia’s Victory Day commemorations. The Kremlin framed the move as a “test” of Kyiv’s willingness for peace, but Ukrainian officials rejected the gesture as m...

US judge says deporting migrants to Libya would 'violate' court order

A US federal judge on Wednesday said any attempt by the Trump administration to deport migrants to Libya would "clearly" violate a standing court order, following reports that such deportations could begin as early as this week. The warning came after reports that US officials were weighing the fir...

All-out war will be costly and both sides will try to avoid it, researcher says

FRANCE 24's Sharon Gaffney speaks to Sudhir Selvaraj, Assistant Professor in Peace Studies and International Development at the University of Bradford about the rising tensions between India and Pakistan. He says that an 'all out war will be costly and both sides are going to try to avoid it at all...

US Federal Reserve keeps rates unchanged despite pressure from Trump

As widely expected, the US Federal Reserve has kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged despite pressure from President Donald Trump.  Fed chair Jerome Powell warned the risks of higher inflation and higher unemployment had risen. Plus, Disney announced a plan to build its first theme park in th...

'Dangerous situation': India's 'act of war' demonstrates their desire for 'military adventurism'

Amid the worst cross-border violence in two decades between nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan, triggered by deadly missile strikes and fierce artillery exchanges, tensions are again flaring over the contested region of Kashmir. With New Delhi accusing Islamabad of orchestrating a deadly attac...

Dozens killed as India and Pakistan heighten violence over Kashmir

At least 43 people were killed in India and Pakistan on Wednesday after India launched missile strikes on its longtime adversary on Tuesday, sparking an exchange of artillery fire between the two countries. As airlines cancelled and diverted flights, world leaders warned against an escalation of mi...

'Beyond description: Gaza's civilians have no idea how they're going to survive'

The European Union renewed an urgent call on Wednesday for Israel to immediately lift the blockade on Gaza, allowing humanitarian aid to reach those in need, and warned against Israel’s planned new aid delivery mechanism. For in-depth analysis and a deeper perspective on the harrowing plight of h...

Algeria issues arrest warrants for writer Daoud amid escalating tensions with France

Algeria has issued two arrest warrants for acclaimed French-Algerian writer Kamel Daoud, the French foreign ministry said on Wednesday, as tensions surge between the two countries. ...

World's richest 10% responsible for two thirds of global warming, study finds

The richest ten percent of the global population has caused two thirds of global warming since 1990, according to a new study. The authors of the study suggest progressive taxes on wealth and carbon-intensive investments could provide a solution....

Gazans face starvation and dire humanitarian conditions as Israel's blockade persists

At least 15 people were killed when an Israeli airstrike targeted a school sheltering displaced individuals in Gaza City, adding to the growing toll of the ongoing conflict. The humanitarian crisis in the enclave remains dire, with a blockade on aid that has been in place for over two months, exace...

Tensions soar as India launches missile strikes on Pakistan after Kashmir attack

India and Pakistan are teetering on the edge of war following a series of missile strikes launched by India on Wednesday, targeting sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-controlled Kashmir. The strikes mark a significant escalation in the long-standing tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. Acc...

Kidnappings, ransom demands target French cryptocurrency moguls

A spate of violent kidnappings has targeted wealthy French cryptocurrency investors as criminal gangs seek to extort ransoms. We take a closer look. But first: Washington prepares for trade negotiations with Beijing amid reports of progress on a US-UK trade deal aimed at de-escalating Donald Trump'...

India and Pakistan exchange fire, at least 38 killed

India fired missiles into Pakistani-administered territory in several locations early Wednesday in what Pakistan's leader called an act of war. At least 34 people were reported killed – Islamabad said 26 civilians were killed by the Indian strikes and firing along the border, while New Delhi said...

After difficult start, Germany's new chancellor Merz visits Paris and Warsaw

The newly sworn-in German leader Friedrich Merz heads to Paris and Warsaw on Wednesday, with plans to team up with allies France and Poland to boost European ties in turbulent times. ...

Merz named German chancellor just hours after historic parliamentary defeat

Just a day after a tense parliamentary vote that confirmed him as Germany’s new chancellor, Friedrich Merz is on a diplomatic mission to France and Poland this Wednesday, aiming to strengthen relations with Germany’s European neighbors during challenging times. While a visit to France is a trad...

India and Pakistan: A history of conflict since 1947

At least 36 people were reported killed in clashes between India and Pakistan early Wednesday, following a sharp escalation in tensions. Pakistan condemned India's missile strikes as an act of war, while the Indian government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accused Islamabad of being complici...

Pakistan decries ‘act of war’ as it retaliates against India

On Wednesday, India announced it had launched missile strikes on multiple targets in Pakistan and Pakistani-administered Kashmir, asserting the attacks were aimed at infrastructure used by militants allegedly responsible for last month’s deadly assault on tourists in Indian-controlled Kashmir. In...

After bumpy start, 'European chancellor' Merz visits Paris, Warsaw

Russia behind dozens of disinformation campaigns targeting Ukraine and allies, France says

French authorities on Wednesday identified nearly 80 Russian disinformation campaigns from August 2023 to March 2025, primarily targeting Ukraine and its allies, including France. Agency Viginum said the "Storm-1516" operation used AI, paid operators, and spread anti-Ukrainian narratives, posing a...

PM Carney tells Trump Canada is 'not for sale' in White House meeting

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney met with US President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday, firmly rejecting Trump’s suggestion that Canada as the 51st US state would be "a wonderful marriage". The high-stakes meeting came amid an escalating trade war, with Carney vowing to secure bett...

UK, India clinch major trade deal amid Donald Trump's tariff turmoil

Britain and India have finalised a free trade agreement after more than three years of negotiations.  The landmark deal will lower tariffs on each others' goods, and aims to increase bilateral trade by a further 30 billion euros by 2040. Plus, the European Commission has published a 'roadmap' for...

Port Sudan punged into darkness as drone strikes hit airport, army base in third day of attacks

For the third day in a row, Port Sudan, once considered a rare safe zone in Sudan's civil war, has been rocked by drone attacks blamed on the paramilitary RSF. The city, plunged into darkness by the latest attack, has become the de facto capital amid two years of brutal fighting between the RSF and...

'The opportunity is in the partnership': 'Savvy' Canadian PM appeals to Trump in real estate terms

U.S. President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney faced off in the Oval Office on Tuesday and showed no signs of retreating from their gaping differences in an ongoing trade war that has shattered decades of trust between the two countries. The two kept it civil, but as for Trump...

🔴 Pakistan decries 'act of war' after India strikes, at least 38 killed

India fired missiles into Pakistani-controlled territory in several locations early Wednesday in what Pakistan's leader called an act of war. At least 34 people were reported killed – Islamabad said 26 civilians were killed by the Indian strikes and firing along the border, while New Delhi said a...

Trump halts US attacks on Yemen as Israel hits airport

President Donald Trump abruptly announced that the United States would end its attacks against Yemen's Huthis on Tuesday, saying the rebels had agreed to stop harassing ships in the Red Sea. Trump's comments came just hours after Israeli warplanes put rebel-held Sanaa's international airport out of...

Oman announces ceasefire deal between Yemen's Houthis, US

The US and Yemen's Houthi rebels reached a ceasefire agreement to ensure safe passage in the Red Sea after weeks of conflict, mediator Oman said Tuesday. The ceasefire announcement came after Israeli airstrikes on Sanaa's airport in retaliation for a Houthi missile attack Monday prompted warnings o...

Humanitarian aid completely depleted: Situation in Gaza 'deteriorating day by day, minute.by minute'

While pummelling the strip with airstrikes, it has banned any food, water, shelter or medication from being trucked into the Palestinian territory, where the UN says the vast majority of the population is reliant on humanitarian aid to survive. Israel says the blockade aims to pressure Hamas to rel...

Indian PM vows to divert key water resources amid tensions with Pakistan

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged Tuesday to stop the flow of water from India into neighbouring countries, a move that has sharply escalated tensions between the nuclear-armed rivals. Pakistan has warned that any interference with its river flows would be considered an “act of war”....

'Russian prison is worse than death': Exfiltrated journalist speaks to FRANCE 24

Ekaterina Barabash, a Russian journalist who fled house arrest in Moscow, tells FRANCE 24 why she risked everything to denounce the war in Ukraine and undertake a perilous escape to Paris. Press freedom organisation Reporters Without Borders coordinated the exfiltration of the movie critic and f...

'Russian prison is worse than death', journalist exfiltrated to France says

Russian journalist Ekaterina Barabash fled house arrest in Moscow. A film critic and former RFI correspondant in Russia, she explains to FRANCE 24 why she risked everything to denounce the war in Ukraine and tells the story of her perilous escape to Paris. The press freedom organisation Reporte...