Tesla chair denies reports that board is looking for new CEO to replace Musk

US, Ukraine sign long-awaited natural resources deal

Washington and Kyiv have signed an agreement to create an investment fund aimed at defraying US costs for supporting Ukraine's defence, based on the extraction of the country's rare earth minerals and other natural resources. We take a closer look at what's in the deal. Also in this edition: French...

War in Ukraine: Investigating Russia's arbitrary detentions of civilians

Since the start of the war in Ukraine's eastern Donbas region in 2014, the Russian-installed regime there has been arbitrarily detaining civilians on a massive scale. Journalists, activists, local politicians: just about anyone the occupation authorities take a dislike to is in danger of being t...

Israel’s Netanyahu warns raging wildfires threaten to reach Jerusalem

Massive wildfires broke out near Jerusalem on Wednesday morning, forcing the evacuation of communities and road closures, and prompting Israel’s government to deploy troops to support firefighters. Declaring a “national emergency,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned the blazes could re...

New US-Ukraine minerals deal marks post-aid partnership

The US and Ukraine signed a delayed minerals deal, with Ukraine retaining control over its rare earths. Seen as a shift from military to economic support, the accord aims to boost long-term US investment. Treasury Secretary Bessent called it a signal of lasting commitment to Ukraine and warned that...

'While voters are disenchanted with Labour, they're not necessarily willing to go back to Tories'

As far-right parties surge in polls across Europe, analysts warn that internal divisions could pose serious challenges if they gain power. In the UK, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage continues to ride the momentum of Brexit, with polls showing his party rivaling or surpassing Labour. For deeper insigh...

Wildfires rage near Jerusalem, Israel declares the state of emergency

Massive wildfires near Jerusalem forced evacuations and road closures on Wednesday, prompting Israel to deploy troops as firefighters battled the flames. Prime Minister Netanyahu declared a national emergency, warning the fires could reach the city. On Jerusalem's Independence Day, Noga Tarnopolsky...

Kyiv reacts to critical minerals deal between Ukraine and US

Following some initial reluctance, Ukraine has agreed to a minerals deal aimed at attracting long-term U.S. investment, amid efforts by Trump to significantly reduce America’s global security commitments. Gulliver Cragg reports from Kyiv, Ukraine....

Ukraine and US sign minerals deal, marking shift from military to economic support

The US and Ukraine signed a minerals agreement Wednesday, marking a renewed commitment to Kyiv post-military aid, the Trump administration said. Ukraine secured key terms after lengthy talks, including full sovereignty over its rare earths, which are critical for new technologies and largely untapp...

Vladyslav Greziev warns 'never trust Russians': 'They don't want peace deals, nor an end to the war'

The United States and Ukraine have concluded a rare minerals agreement following a two-month delay, which the Trump administration hailed as a renewed expression of support following the abrupt suspension of military aid. Ukrainian officials say the deal secures national control over vital rare ear...

Ukraine, US sign minerals deal, marking shift from military to economic support

The US and Ukraine signed a minerals agreement Wednesday, marking a renewed commitment to Kyiv post-military aid, the Trump administration said. Ukraine secured key terms after lengthy talks, including full sovereignty over its rare earths, which are critical for new technologies and largely untapp...

🔴 US and Ukraine sign deal to form reconstruction investment fund, Washington says

100 posts a day: Who does Elon Musk target on X?

To mark the 100th day of US President Donald Trump’s second term, the FRANCE 24 Observers collaborated with France Info and Belgium's RTBF to analyse the rhetoric of Elon Musk, one of Trump's closest advisers. This two-part investigation, conducted by the Médias Francophones Publics, examines th...

MSF warns: USAID’s demise a ‘human-made disaster that will have dire health consequences worldwide'

UN aid agencies warn of deep service cuts as US funding plummets under President Donald Trump. His administration has slashed 83% of programs funded by USAID, which had a $42.8 billion annual budget—42% of all global humanitarian aid. As vital operations for millions of people worldwide is severe...

Around the world in 100 days: US economy unexpectedly shrinks as Trump tariffs loom over the economy

US President Donald Trump is celebrating his "most successful first 100 days" in US history. All the while, the US economy shrank at a 0.3% annual pace from January through March, the first drop in three years, as President Donald Trump's trade wars disrupted business. First-quarter growth was slow...

French film 'Not all men, but...' pokes fun at stereotypes and sexism

Michel Leclerc has never shied away from delicate social topics and the French director has now managed to inject humour into the issue of sexual assault in "Not all men, but…". Critic Perrine Quennesson tells us why his gamble has paid off and why entertaining performances from Léa Drucker and...

Elon Musk's tweets (1/2): A conduit for pro-Russian anti-Ukraine rhetoric

Elon Musk has become one of the most fervent critics of Ukraine and President Volodymyr Zelensky online, especially on X, the platform he owns. To better understand Musk’s messaging about the Ukrainian war, the FRANCE 24 Observers team worked with RTBF and France Info to analyse some 15,000 of Mu...

Trump's first 100 days in power: A tumultuous return to the White House

As he marks 100 days since returning to office for his second term, US President Donald Trump is facing countless challenges, many of his own making. On-off tariffs have sent markets lurching. A public meltdown with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office shocked allies in Europe....

France accuses Russia of cyberattacks during Macron's 2017 campaign

France has officially blamed Russia's military intelligence agency, the GRU, for a series of cyberattacks, including the breach of President Macron’s 2017 presidential campaign, which led to the leak of over 20,000 emails. The hacking group APT28 (Fancy Bear) is accused of targeting French instit...

Vietnam: Military parade marks 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon

Vietnam held a military parade to mark the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon, which took place on April 30, 1975, marking the end of the Vietnam War. The event commemorated the unification of the country and the victory of North Vietnamese forces....

Pakistan says India planning strike as tensions soar over Kashmir

Pakistan claimed on Wednesday it had "credible intelligence" of an imminent Indian military strike and warned of retaliation, as fears of escalating conflict grew following a deadly attack in Kashmir. Relations between the nuclear-armed neighbours have deteriorated since India blamed Pakistan for l...

Donald Trump marks first 100 days with rally in Michigan

At a Michigan rally, Donald Trump declared his presidency "just getting started" after a turbulent first 100 days. The period has seen rising tensions with China over trade, continued support for Ukraine, and a hardline stance on immigration. Trump promised further actions to reshape both domestic...

Druze fighter among several killed in fresh sectarian clashes near Damascus

A Syrian war monitor said at least two people were killed, including a Druze fighter, in fresh sectarian clashes near Damascus on Wednesday. The killings come after more than a dozen people were killed on Tuesday in a predominantly Druze town close to the capital in clashes sparked by a purported r...

US threatens to end mediation if Russia, Ukraine fail to offer 'concrete proposals'

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday Washington will cease mediating Russia-Ukraine peace talks unless concrete progress is proposed. Frustrated by stalled negotiations and ongoing violence since Russia’s 2022 invasion, he warned of disengagement without viable solutions. ...

Dozens killed in shelling of Sudan's El Fasher

The Sudanese army says at least 41 people have been killed in shelling of the town of El Fasher. It's the last major town in the Darfur region still held by government forces in their war with the RSF paramilitary. El Fasher has been under siege since last May, with the prospect of a devastating co...

France accuses Russian military intelligence of cyberattacks

France on Tuesday accused Russian military intelligence of being behind a series of cyberattacks against the country over the last decade, including against Macron's first presidential campaign in 2017. Since 2021, a branch of Russian military intelligence (GRU) dedicated to such attacks has also t...

Fall of Saigon: Vietnam marks 50 years since the war's end

Vietnam is preparing to commemorate 50 years since the fall of Saigon, which marked the end of the Vietnam War in 1975. The anniversary highlights a pivotal moment in the nation’s history, reflecting on its journey of recovery and reconciliation....

France accuses Russia of cyberattacks on defence, finance, media sectors

France's foreign ministry said on Tuesday that Russia's military intelligence service has for years been orchestrating cyberattacks against French entities, including attempts to disrupt the 2017 election won by President Emmanuel Macron and the 2024 Paris Olympics....

‘Daunting’ challenges ahead, says Canada’s Carney after election victory

Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney warned that there were “daunting” challenges ahead as he celebrated election victory on Tuesday. Among them are responding to threats from US President Donald Trump to make Canada the 51st US state and pivoting Canada’s economy away from reliance on its s...

‘Enemy of my enemy’: For Canada to wean off US, the path may lead past EU, through India and China

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's Liberal Party has secured a fourth consecutive election win, propelled by public backlash to US President Donald Trump’s annexation threats and trade war. In a seismic shift, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, once up 20 points, lost his seat, according to...

Putin announces 3-day truce as Trump struggles to secure Ukraine peace

Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared a unilateral 72-hour ceasefire in Ukraine to commemorate Victory Day, while Kyiv pushes for a longer and immediate truce. U.S. President Donald Trump faces challenges in brokering a lasting peace deal to end the three-year conflict, as FRANCE 24's James...