Author: FRANCE 24 English
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Debunking Misinformation: French-Palestinian MEP Rima Hassan Wrongly Accused in Fake Hamas Photo Incident
A viral misinformation campaign falsely accused French-Palestinian politician Rima Hassan, recently elected as the European Parliament’s first French-Palestinian MEP for the France Unbowed party, of being photographed with the head of Hamas, Yaya Sinwar. This claim has been debunked as the image in question was shown to be a manipulated montage of two unrelated photographs.…
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Paris Olympics Countdown: Latest Updates on Athlete Preparations and Venue Readiness
As Paris gears up for the upcoming Olympics, significant developments unfold three weeks ahead of the games. Organizers are diligently ensuring that all venues are prepared on time, despite prior concerns about the water quality of the River Seine for open water events. Recent tests, however, indicate that the pollution levels have now improved to…
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France’s Snap Legislative Elections: Last-Minute Alliances Seek to Block Far-Right Majority
In a critical juncture for French politics, the latest developments in the frenzied snap legislative elections have the potential to significantly alter the composition of France’s National Assembly. With the far-right National Rally making unprecedented gains, strategic withdrawals and alliances have been formed in an attempt to block their majority. The first round saw a…
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French President Macron Faces Potential ‘Cohabitation’ with Opposition Parties After Parliamentary Elections
As France approaches the second round of parliamentary elections, President Emmanuel Macron faces the prospect of ‘cohabitation,’ a scenario in which the president must appoint a prime minister from a different political party if his own party fails to secure a majority in Parliament. This situation, not seen in France for two decades, introduces a…
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Highlights and Innovations from the 78th Avignon Theater Festival
The 78th edition of the world’s biggest theater festival in Avignon, France, is underway, featuring a rich program that spans across traditional and contemporary performing arts. The festival, known for its diverse and inclusive approach, showcases 35 shows in the official program, many of which are world premieres. Artistic director Thiago Rodriguez presents his vision…
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National Rally Candidate’s Racist Social Media Posts Spark Outrage in France
Recent investigations into the social media activity of National Rally candidate Christian Perez have unveiled a series of racially charged posts, stirring controversy in France amidst the ongoing parliamentary elections. The independent media outlet Street Press uncovered comments mocking the ethnic composition of the French football team, as well as a post boasting about donating…
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UK General Election Sees Conservative Party Facing Dual Threats from Liberal Democrats and Reform Party
As the United Kingdom heads to the polls, the Labour Party is anticipated to secure a historic victory amid a challenging political landscape for the Conservative Party. The election has seen Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his party focus on traditionally safe Conservative seats, with efforts to rally the base, including bringing Boris Johnson back…
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France’s Efforts to Block Far-Right Majority Lead to Unprecedented Candidate Withdrawals Ahead of Parliamentary Election
In a strategic move ahead of France’s second round of parliamentary elections, over 200 candidates have withdrawn their candidacy to prevent the far-right National Rally from achieving an absolute majority. This unprecedented decision, primarily involving politicians from the center and the left, aims to consolidate votes against the National Rally by reducing the number of…
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Israel Continues Airstrikes in Gaza, New Strikes Target Rafah Amid Ongoing Conflict With Palestinian Militants
In a recent escalation of conflict in the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces have launched airstrikes on Rafah, resulting in casualties and an increasing humanitarian crisis. The strikes come despite previous statements suggesting a de-escalation, with the Israeli Army Chief indicating the operation in Rafah aimed at dismantling Hamas infrastructure is ongoing. The situation has forced…
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Kenya’s President Ruto Orders Review of MP Salary Increases Amid Public Outcry and Financial Crisis Concerns
Kenyan President William Ruto has issued an order to review the proposed salary hikes for members of parliament and other state officials following widespread public dissent. The decision comes in the wake of significant social media backlash and mass protests against a controversial finance bill proposing tax hikes, which Ruto was forced to retract. The…
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UK Labour Anticipated to Secure Major Victory in General Election, Shifting Political Landscape
UK’s Labour Party is poised for a significant victory in the general election, signaling what some describe as the “Revenge of the moderates.” The anticipated landslide win for Labour and its leader, Keir Starmer, is seen as a shift away from the polarizing politics of Brexit and a move towards a more centrist approach. This…
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Macron’s Office Responds to Le Pen’s ‘Administrative Coup’ Accusations
In a recent development, the office of French President Emmanuel Macron has called for restraint following accusations from Marine Le Pen, leader of the National Rally, who charged the president with conducting an “administrative coup.” Le Pen’s allegations, voiced on national radio, concern Macron’s purported rush to appoint allies to key positions within the French…
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Nationwide Protests in Kenya Escalate: Dozens Killed in Clashes Over Finance Bill and Government Corruption
Kenya is currently experiencing widespread protests that originated from public discontent over a proposed finance bill which aimed to increase the cost of living. The movement quickly escalated into a nationwide protest against corruption and poor governance. Clashes between protesters and police forces have led to dozens of deaths and injuries. The main opposition party…
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Activist Launches Balloons Carrying K-Pop and Propaganda into North Korea Amid Escalating Tensions
In a recent development highlighting the tensions between North and South Korea, activists from the South are launching balloons filled with anti-Pyongyang leaflets, US dollar bills, and USB sticks containing K-pop and South Korean TV dramas into North Korea. This initiative, led by a defector from the North, aims to expose North Koreans to the…
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Kenya Faces Renewed Anti-Government Protests Amid Calls for President Ruto’s Resignation
In Kenya, anti-government protests have escalated, with demonstrators clashing with police forces in Nairobi. The protests, initially sparked by opposition to a 2024 financial bill, have grown into a broader movement calling for President William Ruto’s resignation and condemning the government’s use of excessive force. Human rights groups have reported a significant number of injuries…
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Fact Check: Debunking the False Claim About Ukraine’s First Lady Buying a Bugatti with US Funds
A recent misinformation campaign falsely accused Olena Zelenska, the First Lady of Ukraine, of purchasing a new Bugatti Toron for €4.85 million with US taxpayer dollars. The story, which quickly spread across various languages and social media platforms, was based on an AI-generated video and a forged receipt. However, upon closer inspection and verification, both…
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Biden Remains Defiant Amid Criticism and Calls to Quit Re-election Race
Biden’s Re-election Bid Amidst Criticism and Democratic Concerns In a recent discussion on France 24 English, the focus was on President Joe Biden’s determination to continue his reelection campaign despite facing criticism for his debate performance against Donald Trump and concerns over his age. Critics argue Biden’s recent debate showing was weak, causing a dip…
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French Centrists and Leftists Withdraw from Over 180 Races to Counter Far Right’s Path to Power
In a significant move to counter the far-right’s surge in France, candidates from centrist and leftist parties have withdrawn from over 200 legislative races. This strategic withdrawal aims to consolidate the anti-far-right vote by avoiding the division of votes among multiple candidates, which could inadvertently pave the way for the National Rally, a far-right party,…
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Orban Advocates for Ukraine Ceasefire to Accelerate Peace Talks During Kyiv Visit
During his first visit to Ukraine in over a decade, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban called for a ceasefire to expedite peace talks with Ukraine, despite his stance as a critic of military aid to Ukraine and being known as Vladimir Putin’s closest ally among EU leaders. Orban’s discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky focused…
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Hungarian Prime Minister Orban Visits Ukraine, Urges Ceasefire Amid EU Presidency
In a significant development, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban visited Ukraine for talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, marking Orban’s first trip to the country since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion over two years ago. Notably, Orban, recognized as Russian President Vladimir Putin’s closest ally within the European Union, has been a vocal opponent…
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Chinese Space Rocket Accidentally Launches and Crashes in Gongi City During Test
An accidental launch of the Tanong 3 rocket during a test in Gongi, China, was captured in a dramatic video. The rocket, which was under development, detached from its launchpad due to a structural failure, tipping sideways in the sky before crashing into a hilly area. Fortunately, there were no reported casualties resulting from the…
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Paris Tourism and Hospitality Sector Faces Challenges Ahead of Olympics Despite High Expectations
Paris’ hospitality sector is currently experiencing a downturn in tourism as the city prepares for the upcoming Olympics. Despite traditionally being a peak season for tourism, hotels and other accommodations are reporting significantly lower occupancy rates compared to previous years. The expected surge in tourism due to the Olympics has not materialized, with various factors…
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France’s National Rally Aims for Parliamentary Majority Amid Surging Popularity
France’s National Rally, previously on the political margins, has now emerged as a dominant force, garnering over one-third of the French vote in the recent elections. This surge represents the far right’s highest popularity since World War II, marking a significant shift in the country’s political landscape. The party, which has undergone a rebranding under…
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French Left Unites to Block Far-Right’s Rise to Power in Upcoming Elections
In a significant development within French politics, various left-wing factions are mobilizing efforts to thwart the far right’s ascent to power. This movement is largely in response to the potential for three-way runoffs in approximately 300 constituencies, involving the far-right National Rally, President Emmanuel Macron’s Centrist Alliance, and the left-wing New Popular Front. The left-wing…
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EU Accuses Meta of Violating Digital Competition Rules with Advertising Model
The European Union has charged Meta, the parent company of Facebook, with violating the bloc’s competition rules through its new “pay or consent” advertising model. This model, which forces users of Facebook and Instagram to either see ads or pay a minimum of €10 to avoid them, allegedly breaches the Digital Markets Act by not…
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French Far Right Achieves Historic Success in First Round of Snap Legislative Elections
In the first round of French snap legislative elections, the far-right National Rally party led by Marine Le Pen achieved an unprecedented score, placing it on the brink of power for the first time through the ballot box. With a week before the runoff elections, discussions have emerged on the potential for French left and…
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US Supreme Court Grants Trump Limited Immunity, Affecting Trial Over January 6 Role
The US Supreme Court has ruled in a 6-3 decision that former President Donald Trump has some immunity from prosecution concerning his actions related to the January 6 insurrection. This ruling significantly reduces the likelihood of Trump facing trial before the upcoming presidential election in November. The case has been sent back to a lower…
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Stonebwoy Discusses Music’s Unifying Power and His Journey as Ghana’s Reggae and Dancehall Icon on FRANCE 24 English
Ghana’s celebrated reggae and dancehall artist, Stonebwoy, has been featured in an insightful interview where he discusses his musical journey, achievements, and the powerful message behind his work. With over a decade of experience and more than 50 awards to his name, Stonebwoy’s music has touched millions worldwide, making him one of Ghana’s most successful…
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Far-Right Leads First Round in French Elections Amidst Complex Runoff Predictions
Far-right parties have made significant gains in the first round of France’s parliamentary elections, setting the stage for a potentially unpredictable second round. The complexity of France’s two-round electoral system, along with strategic decisions by candidates to step down to block the far-right’s advance, contributes to the uncertainty of the final results. The unique circumstances…
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New Popular Front Aims to Prevent Far Right Majority by Coordinating Candidate Withdrawals in French Election
In the recent French electoral landscape, the New Popular Front, a left-wing alliance, has pledged to block the far-right National Rally from obtaining a majority in the upcoming second round of elections. This strategy involves tactical withdrawals of candidates in certain constituencies to prevent a split in the vote that could favor the far-right. This…