France 24

Last Kenyan police officers leave Haiti after unsuccessful security mission

All Kenyan police officers deployed to Haiti as part of the UN-backed Multinational Security Support Mission have withdrawn from the country. The mission, which began following UN Security Council approval in late 2023, failed to reduce gang control and violence in Haiti, with armed groups continuing to dominate significant territory.

Why it matters: The withdrawal marks a significant setback for international efforts to restore stability in Haiti, highlighting the challenges of foreign security interventions. As one UN-approved mission ends and another begins, questions remain about effective strategies to address Haiti's escalating gang violence and humanitarian crisis.

Former French president Sarkozy testifies in Libya appeals trial

Nicolas Sarkozy appeared at the Paris Court of Appeal to be questioned about documents written by his former chief of staff Claude Guéant. The testimony relates to his appeals trial concerning allegations that his 2007 presidential campaign received illegal funding from Libya, with Guéant's documents apparently contradicting the defense strategy.

Why it matters: This high-profile corruption case continues to test France's judicial accountability for top political figures. The trial examines allegations of foreign interference in French elections and could have significant implications for Sarkozy's legacy and French political ethics.

US forces board ship suspected of heading to Iran port

US Marines boarded the commercial vessel M/V Blue Star III in the Arabian Sea on Tuesday, suspecting it of attempting to violate the American blockade of Iranian ports. After conducting a search, US Central Command released the ship, confirming its voyage would not include stops at Iranian ports.

Why it matters: This incident demonstrates the active enforcement of US sanctions and blockade measures against Iran amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. It highlights the continued maritime enforcement operations in strategic waterways and the potential for confrontations in the region.

As war nears two months, displaced Lebanese families sink into despair

Nearly two months after the conflict began, displaced Lebanese families like that of Rabih Khreiss struggle with drastically altered circumstances. Khreiss, a father of nine who once supported his family through a car workshop in southern Lebanon, now lives in a tent in Beirut after fleeing Khiyam on March 2 when Hezbollah fired into Israel, marking the war's beginning.

Why it matters: The humanitarian crisis highlights the severe impact of the Israel-Hezbollah conflict on Lebanese civilians, with families losing livelihoods and homes. The displacement of southern Lebanese populations represents a significant humanitarian emergency requiring international attention and aid.

Nearly all of Europe had above-average heat last year, as climate records toppled

EU scientists and the World Meteorological Organization reported Wednesday that almost all of Europe experienced above-average temperatures in 2025, a year that set records for wildfires, sea temperatures, and heatwaves. The findings underscore worsening climate change impacts across the continent, even as some European governments consider weakening emissions-reduction policies due to economic concerns.

Why it matters: The record-breaking climate data provides stark evidence of accelerating climate change in Europe at a critical moment for environmental policy. The tension between climate science and economic priorities threatens to undermine the continent's ability to meet its climate commitments and protect populations from extreme weather.

Social media abuzz as bees colonise bike outside the Louvre Museum

A video went viral showing a cyclist's bike parked outside the Louvre Museum in Paris completely covered by a swarm of tens of thousands of bees over the weekend. While the footage captivated social media users, experts note that such bee swarm phenomena are actually not uncommon in Paris.

Why it matters: The incident highlights urban beekeeping trends and the surprising biodiversity in major cities like Paris. While seemingly unusual, it reflects broader discussions about insect populations, urban ecology, and coexistence between humans and nature in metropolitan environments.

French film show: 'The Silent Run' tells a tragic migrant story

Film critic Manon Kerjean reviews Marta Bergman's new film "The Silent Run," describing it as a powerful and haunting portrayal of the terrifying experiences faced by refugees. The review segment also covers Alain Gomis's "Dao," exploring family rituals in Guinea-Bissau, and the romantic comedy "What is Love?" featuring Laure Calamy and Vincent Macaigne.

Why it matters: These films contribute to important cultural conversations about migration, identity, and human relationships in contemporary society. Cinema continues to serve as a medium for exploring complex humanitarian issues and cross-cultural understanding in Europe.

Mali junta leader appears publicly after major rebel attacks

Mali's military leader made his first public appearance since weekend attacks by jihadists and Tuareg separatists destabilized the country's north. He visited wounded personnel and met with Russia's ambassador, a key ally. The security situation remains difficult three days after the unprecedented large-scale offensive.

Why it matters: The attacks represent a significant challenge to Mali's military junta and highlight the ongoing instability in the Sahel region. Russia's prominent role as an ally underscores shifting geopolitical alignments in West Africa amid continued security challenges.

Indian Muslims say they're being targeted as millions of voters deleted from rolls

Last year, the Election Commission of India launched a "Special Intensive Revision", or SIR, describing it as an exercise to eliminate duplicate or deceased voters. So far, 13 states and federally administered territories have completed the task, leading to the deletion of over 55 million voters from the electoral rolls. But this exercise has become a political flashpoint in West Bengal, where 9 million voters have been deleted ahead of a crucial state election.

Mali's Tuareg rebels vow regime 'will fall', urge Russian forces to withdraw

A spokesperson for Mali's Tuareg rebel group Azawad Liberation Front pledged on Wednesday that the country's ruling junta "will fall" and said the group wanted to see Russian forces withdraw "from all of Mali" after weekend attacks by Islamist insurgents and Tuareg separatists targeting major cities.

Suspect arrested after two Jewish men stabbed in London's Golders Green

Police in London arrested a man on Wednesday after two people were stabbed in a largely Jewish neighbourhood in north London and were being treated by emergency services at the scene. The incident is the latest in a series of attacks targeting the Jewish community including attempted arson attacks on synagogues.

'Decline' in press freedom: EU media landscape 'more concentrated, less transparent & less trusted'

Oliver Farry is pleased to welcome Eva Simon, Head of Tech & Rights Program at Liberties. Their report reveals a decline in media / press freedom across the EU. Drawing on data from 22 member states, she argues that the erosion of press freedom is part of a broader democratic decline. Ms. Simon emphasises that media / press freedom is deeply intertwined with the rule of law, political accountability, and the health of democratic institutions. "So there is a link between media ownership and democracy," she explains. "It's concerning if people don't get a diverse source of information."

Despite everything, 'the Palestinians have not given up': Historian Rashid Khalidi

One of the world's leading historians on the Palestinian people has told FRANCE 24 about how there is a future basis for peace in the region. Rashid Khalidi has spent years writing a series of books on the region and its conflicts, often through the eyes of his own family. He says that millions of people are not going to leave their land, so there's a basis for the two peoples to figure something out. Khalidi is in Paris for several appearances, including at the Arab World Institute. He spoke to us in Perspective.

Buddhist monks-in-training caught with 110kg of cannabis in Sri Lanka

PRESS REVIEW – Wednesday, April 29: Papers discuss public anger in Russia after an internet crackdown. Next: France launches a probe into the reappearance of the website that was used to recruit the men who raped Gisèle Pelicot. Also, what is "promotion burnout" and is there a Gen Z "burnout crisis"? Finally, 22 Buddhist monks carrying 110kg of cannabis are arrested at Colombo airport in Sri Lanka.

King Charles III in the US : 'If it wasn't for us, you'd be speaking French'

👑During his visit to the United States, the UK’s #King #Charles III punctuated serious speeches with a series of #jokes delivered in his own distinctive style, prompting laughter from #US President Donald #Trump and the audience. 🇬🇧 🇺🇸

Airlines worldwide cancel flights, raise fares amid Middle East conflict

Ryanair, Transavia, Volotea and other low-cost airlines are feeling the financial pain from high jet fuel prices as a result of the Middle East war and are cutting flights. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has taken a huge chunk of oil supplies off the market, sending the price of jet fuel soaring and triggering fears of shortages that could force airlines to cancel flights.

King Charles, Trump toast ties despite Iran tensions

Britain's King Charles and Donald Trump hailed their countries' longstanding ties at a White House state dinner Tuesday -- despite the US president claiming the monarch agreed with him on Iran's nuclear weapons.

Ex-FBI chief Comey charged with threatening Trump's life in Instagram post

Former FBI director James Comey has been indicted for threatening the life of Donald Trump, officials said Tuesday, five months after a previous case against the outspoken critic of the US president was thrown out. The indictment by a grand jury in North Carolina stems from an Instagram post the 65-year-old Comey made in May last year that showed the numbers "86 47" spelled out in seashells. Trump alleged in an interview with Fox News at the time that "86" was slang for kill and "47" was a reference to his being the 47th president.

Mali's embattled junta chief says situation 'under control'

Mali's military leader on Tuesday insisted the situation in his country was "under control" as he made his first public address since unprecedented large-scale attacks at the weekend destabilised his ruling junta. Jihadists and Tuareg separatists are still positioned in the vast Sahelian country's north, three days after launching a stunning wave of attacks, in what junta chief Assimi Goita acknowledged was a situation "of extreme gravity". FRANCE 24's International Affairs Editor Philip Turle tells us more.

United Arab Emirates will leave OPEC in a blow to the oil cartel

The United Arab Emirates said Tuesday it will leave OPEC effective May 1, stripping the oil cartel of its third-largest producer and further weakening its leverage over global oil supplies and prices. The UAE's decision had been rumored as a possibility for some time, as it pushed back in recent years against OPEC production quotas it felt had been too low — meaning it wasn't able to sell as much oil to the world as it had wanted.

Indian billionaire's son offers home for Escobar's hippos

An Indian billionaire's son offered on Tuesday to take hippos descended from those introduced to Colombia by drug kingpin Pablo Escobar, rather than have the animals killed. Anant Ambani, the son of tycoon Mukesh Ambani, said he had formally requested the Colombian government to stay a decision to kill the animals, which have wreaked havoc on rivers in the South American nation.

Israeli strikes kill 8 in Lebanon: Violence continues despite ongoing ceasefire

The Lebanese health ministry said Israeli strikes on Tuesday killed eight people, including civil defence rescuers, and wounded two soldiers in the country's south, despite an ongoing ceasefire. The Israeli military, meanwhile, announced it had found and destroyed a large Hezbollah tunnel network used by elite fighters in southern Lebanon. FRANCE 24's Noga Tarnopolsky reports from Jerusalem.

King Charles highlights US-UK bond during busy day of diplomacy with Trump and Congress

King Charles III marked the 250th anniversary of American independence from Britain with gratitude that the two countries united to build “one of the most consequential alliances in human history” while urging “that we ignore the clarion calls to become ever more inward-looking.” Speaking Tuesday to a joint session of the U.S. Congress, Charles repeatedly highlighted the historical and cultural ties that he said have cemented an enduring bond between the United States and the United Kingdom. But even as he spoke in unifying, optimistic terms, he delivered a series of nuanced warnings encouraging leaders in the U.S. to remain collaborative and engaged in global affairs. FRANCE 24's Fraser Jackson reports from Washington DC.

Inside France’s role in countering Iranian drone and missile attacks

French fighter pilots deployed in the Middle East have been assisting in intercepting Iranian drones and missiles. Commander Quentin, Captain Louis and Lieutenant Enzo were initially sent to the region as part of counterterrorism operations. But on February 28, as the conflict escalated, their mission took a new turn. Now back from deployment, they are speaking publicly for the first time about their experience.

Why is the UAE choosing to leave OPEC?

OPEC faces a double crisis as it manages both the energy shock caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, and the departure of the UAE. Also in this edition: Airbus reports some disappointing quarterly results. Plus, OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma is sentenced to $5.5 billion in fines for its role in the deadly opioid crisis in the US.

'Homecoming': Critically endangered antelopes returned to Kenyan forests from Czech zoo

Four mountain bongos have arrived in Kenya after being returned from a Czech zoo in a bid to bolster numbers of the critically endangered species of which there are less that 100 left in the wild. Kenyan officials hailed the return as a “homecoming of the majestic bongos".

France urges citizens to leave 'extremely volatile' Mali 'as soon as possible'

France on Wednesday called on its citizens to leave Mali "as soon as possible" following weekend of attacks on government targets in cities across the country launched by jihadists and Tuareg separatists.

From the oceans into our bodies: Plastic pollution 'associated with obesity and dementia'

François Picard is pleased to welcome Merijn Tinga, a biologist, artist and activist affectionately known as the Plastic Soup Surfer. He joins us, not only as a scientist or activist, but as someone who spends hours a day on the water, experiencing directly the forces we so often abstract away. From the surfboard, everything becomes clear: "You become one with the wind, with the waves… you have one focus." And yet back on land, "you're immersed by this throwaway culture".

'Over-dependence on military solutions: Mali struggling in its effort to regain peace and security'

François Picard is pleased to welcome Dr. Folahanmi Aina, Political Scientist and Lecturer in the Political Economy of Violence, Conflict and Development at SOAS London. As a researcher of global security and political dynamics, his analysis of Mali's evolving crisis focuses on the interplay between militarised governance, external partnerships and the persistence of insurgent violence in the Sahel. According to Dr. Aina, the current trajectory under Colonel Assimi Goïta reflects a strategic overreliance on military solutions to what is fundamentally a multidimensional conflict.

Champions League: PSG come out on top in legendary game against Bayern Munich

Paris Saint-Germain beat Bayern Munich 5-4 in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final. With nine goals, it was the highest-scoring Champions League semi-final in history.

France investigates return of adult website linked to Pelicot mass-rape trial

French prosecutors are investigating the reopening of the adult website Coco, now renamed Cocoland, on which sex criminal Dominique Pelicot used a chatroom to find dozens of strangers to rape his sedated wife Gisèle Pelicot. The platform has also been linked to crimes including the sexual abuse of children and murder.