Ukraine skeptical as US sets 50-Day deadline for Russian ceasefire

What we know about mysterious explosions on ships visiting Russian ports

Since January 2025, six tankers have been struck by unexplained explosions shortly after entering Russian ports. Many questions remain about the circumstances surrounding the blasts but several industry analysts believe sabotage, carried out by a state actor, is most likely responsible. ...

Tariffs on political rivals: Can U.S. impose its might?

Brazil announcing it’s working on counter-measures should the Trump administration make good on its threat to punish the country and sanction its Supreme Court President over the coup attempt case against far-right former president Jair Bolsonaro. Brazil one of the nations threatened with seconda...

US-NATO deal: How will US arms reach Ukraine?

US President Donald Trump’s promise to end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours is now a distant memory. He now sees Russian President Vladimir Putin as the main obstacle to peace and is offering Patriot air defense systems and other weapons to Kyiv—paid for by European allies. Supporters at home...

'The moment of truth': French PM Bayrou lays out budget cuts

French Prime Minister François Bayrou is set to present a 40 billion-euro budget reduction plan on Tuesday. Opposition parties have warned they may move to bring down his minority government if the proposed cuts are seen as too severe. The French PM is then in a tricky position, as FRANCE 24's Mar...

French PM unveils budget expected to slash govt spending by €40 billion

French Prime Minister François Bayrou is set to unveil €40 billion in spending cuts Tuesday, in a high-stakes effort to rein in the budget deficit. With opposition parties warning of a possible no-confidence vote, the survival of his minority government may hinge on how deep the cuts go – and...

Russia warns Trump’s new pledge of aid to Ukraine could hinder any peace deal

The Kremlin warned Tuesday that US President Donald Trump’s promise to increase military aid to Ukraine and impose new sanctions on Russia’s allies could fuel the conflict and hinder any peace talks. Trump on Monday threatened Moscow with new tariffs if it didn't strike a deal with Kyiv within...

Sudan conflict intensifies in North Kordofan and Darfur

In Sudan, the civil war continues to rage. Over the weekend, the army announced it had regained control of a strategic town in North Kordofan state from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Last Thursday, the RSF shelled residential areas in Obeid city, the capital of North Kordofan, result...

Ukraine's Zelensky proposes new PM, defence minister in major reshuffle

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday proposed a new prime minister and defence minister, part of a major cabinet reshuffle he said would "renew" government more than three years into Russia's invasion. Economy minister Yulia Svyrydenko will become prime minister, Zelensky said, while in...

Will Trump's trade war finally start affecting US inflation?

The US Bureau of Labor of Statistics will be releasing its June inflation data this Tuesday, with economists forecasting a slight uptick in consumer prices because of the impact of tariffs. FRANCE 24 spoke to Nela Richardson, Chief Economist at ADP, about the impact of import duties on US inflation...

Ukraine cautiously welcomes US support

On Monday, US President Trump gave Russia 50 days to end its war in Ukraine or face tough new sanctions, while announcing plans to supply Kyiv with weapons via NATO. The move pressures Russia to negotiate and hopes to limit its strikes, though Putin’s position may not change, as FRANCE 24's Emman...

US President Trump gives Moscow 50-day ultimatum over Ukraine war

US President Donald Trump told Russia on Monday to end its war in Ukraine within 50 days or face massive new economic sanctions, as he laid out plans for infusions of weaponry for Kyiv via NATO. "We're going to be doing very severe tariffs if we don't have a deal in 50 days, tariffs at about 100 pe...

China condemns 'coercion' after Trump floats tariffs on Russia allies

China condemned on Tuesday "coercion" by the United States, after President Donald Trump threatened "very severe" tariffs against Moscow's remaining trade partners if it doesn't resolve its war in Ukraine within 50 days. FRANCE 24's correspondent Camille Nedelec has more from the region....

Israel strikes military tanks in southern Syria

Israel’s army said Monday it struck military tanks in southern Syria, where government forces and Bedouin tribes clashed with Druze militias in the latest escalation in the Middle East country struggling for stability after a 13-year civil war....

Indigenous islanders lose high-profile climate case against Australian government

Indigenous Australians residing on a string of climate-vulnerable islands on Tuesday suffered a major legal defeat in their attempt to hold the government accountable for its weak emissions targets. The Torres Strait Islands, located amid the warm waters off Australia’s northernmost tip, are thre...

Markets shrug off Trump tariff threat against EU

Major stock markets on Monday largely shrugged off US President Donald Trump's latest tariff threat to hit the EU and Mexico with 30 percent levies. Analysts said investors viewed the warning as yet another negotiating ploy against America's trading partners rather than a genuine move – although...

EU top diplomat says Trump's 50 day Russia ultimatum 'a very long time'

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas on Monday welcomed US President Donald Trump's tougher line on Russia, but said a 50-day ultimatum on punishing Moscow was "very long". FRANCE 24's Mark Owen speaks to Alexandre Vautravers, Editor in Chief of the Revue Militaire Suisse, and Scientific Director o...

Trump threatens Russia with tariffs and boosts US weapons for Ukraine

President Donald Trump on Monday threatened Russia with steep tariffs and said NATO members will purchase “billions and billions” of dollars in U.S. weaponry including Patriot missiles and transfer the munitions to Ukraine under a new deal. FRANCE 24's Emmanuelle Chaze reports from Kyiv....

Ukraine U-Turn? Trump blasts Putin, approves 'massive' arms sales for Kyiv

The Nobel Peace Prize can wait. The same Donald Trump whose administration just weeks ago paused munitions and air defense supplies for Ukraine now turning on Vladimir Putin with threats of asset seizures and ramped up weapons sales for Kyiv. Why the about-face? How committed to Ukraine is Trump go...

Trump threatens Russia with tariffs if war on Ukraine isn’t resolved

President Donald Trump said Monday he would punish Russia with “biting” tariffs if there isn’t a deal to end the war in Ukraine within 50 days. He made the announcement during an Oval Office meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. Trump also said NATO members will purchase “billions...

Fireworks, warplanes and axes: France celebrates Bastille Day

Swooping warplanes, axe-carrying warriors, a drone light show over the Eiffel Tower and fireworks in nearly every French town… France is celebrating its national holiday Monday with 7,000 people marching, on horseback or riding armored vehicles along the cobblestones of the Champs-Elysees, the mo...

Trump threatens 'very severe' tariffs on Russia if no Ukraine peace deal in 50 days

Ukraine: Donald Trump signals shift on supplying weapons

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy held talks with a U.S. envoy on Monday on increasing weapons production and arms purchases after President Donald Trump said he would send Patriot air defence missiles to Kyiv. In a sharp departure from his earlier stance, Trump is also possibly expected to a...

EU threatens retaliatory levy on billions in US goods after Trump’s surprise 30% tariffs

The EU on Monday unveiled a list of US goods worth €72 billion it could target with tariffs if trade talks fail, after Trump threatened to hit EU exports with 30% duties from August 1. Brussels says it is still seeking a deal to avoid a tit-for-tat escalation in the trade war but is poised to ret...

REPLAY - France celebrates Bastille Day with a military parade on the Champ-Élysées

Swooping warplanes, axe-carrying warriors, a drone light show over the Eiffel Tower and fireworks in nearly every French town… France is celebrating its national holiday Monday with 7,000 people marching, on horseback or riding armored vehicles along the cobblestones of the Champs-Elysees, the mo...

Tug of war over Russian Orthodox churches in France: Moscow reclaims cultural sites

About 20 years ago, the Russian state began a large-scale operation to take control of Orthodox parishes all over Europe. Some of these had, over time, broken ties with the Moscow patriarchate. They're now the object of legal cases pitting the Russian Federation against local associations created...

Trump's rollercoaster for Ukrainians: US to send Patriot missiles to Kyiv

U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine and Russia met with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Monday, as anticipation grew over a possible shift in the Trump administration’s policy on the three-year war. This announcement came as a surprise to Ukrainians, after co...

France announces an extra €6.5 bn in military spending

French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday announced 6.5 billion euros ($7.6 billion) in extra military spending in the next two years because of new and unprecedented threats, ranging from Russia to nuclear proliferation, terrorists and online attacks. Analysis by General Dominique Trinquand, form...

Donald Trump says will send US patriot missiles to Ukraine

U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine and Russia, retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, was in Kyiv on Monday, a senior Ukrainian official said, as anticipation grew over a possible shift in the Trump administration’s policy on the three-year war. Story by Caroline Baum....

France is the main military power in the EU, but is it ready for the future?

France may be the main military power in the EU -- but is it really in a position to respond to new security threats? And what resources do the armed forces have to meet security challenges or any wars of the future? Nicholas Rushworth takes a closer look....

The 'Bleuet de France' play a newly composed song to remember veterans

Swooping warplanes, axe-carrying warriors, a drone light show over the Eiffel Tower and fireworks in nearly every French town… France is celebrating its national holiday Monday with 7,000 people marching, on horseback or riding armored vehicles along the cobblestones of the Champs-Elysees, the mo...