Category: France 24
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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…
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Thousands Gather in Paris to Protest Against Far-Right National Rally Party
Thousands gathered in Paris at the Place de la République to protest against the far-right National Rally party following the recent elections in which the New Popular Front, a left-wing bloc, received 28.1% of the vote but was unable to secure a majority over the National Rally. The event, initially aimed at celebrating the New…
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French Snap Elections Highlight Macron’s Diminished Presence, as Opponents Focus on Second Round
In the recent French snap elections, the Macron camp appears significantly absent from both polls and discussions, highlighting a notable shift in the political landscape. Mark Perman discusses the reactions and strategies of various political figures and parties post-election results, emphasizing the broad implications for President Emmanuel Macron’s future and the broader political dynamics in…
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Exiled Russians in Turkey’s Antalya Face Uncertain Future Amid Residency Permit Issues and Housing Crisis
In Turkey’s Antalya, a popular beach resort, approximately 50,000 Russians have settled since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, creating a vibrant community with Russian shops, schools, and even a theater. However, their future in Antalya is now uncertain as Turkish authorities have ceased renewing residency permits for many Russians, affecting their ability…
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French Overseas Territories and Expatriates Participate in Legislative Elections Amid High Voter Turnout
France’s overseas territories and French citizens living abroad have begun casting their votes in the country’s parliamentary elections, with an emphasis on the importance of participating in the democratic process, regardless of their location. High turnout is expected, as evidenced by the substantial increase in online voting figures among expatriates. Polling stations in areas like…
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Iran Faces Lowest Voter Turnout Since 1979 Islamic Revolution in Recent Election
The recent elections in Iran have culminated in the necessity of a second-round runoff vote, drawing attention not only to the candidates but also to the notably low voter turnout, the lowest since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, at just 40%. This has emerged as a significant concern for Iran’s clerical leadership, particularly for Supreme Leader…
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Suspected Leaders of Failed Bolivian Coup Attempt Detained for Investigation
In Bolivia’s capital, La Paz, a sense of normalcy has returned following an attempted coup that saw a significant police presence in the city’s main square. Authorities have detained 21 individuals, including three officers, after a group with military and armored vehicles aimed to seize the presidential palace. Among those apprehended was General Marcelo Zagara,…
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France Prepares for Euro 2024 Knockout Stage Clash Against Belgium
In anticipation of the Euro 2024 knockout stages, the focus shifts to France’s upcoming match against Belgium, marking a significant phase in the tournament. The French team is set to train at Pador Stadium before moving to Dorf, with players expressing a mix of frustration and readiness for the upcoming games. The match against Belgium…
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Concerns Mount Over Ukraine Aid as Hungary’s Orban Assumes EU Presidency
As Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban prepares to assume the rotating presidency of the European Council, concerns are growing over the future of aid to Ukraine amidst the ongoing conflict with Russia. The situation is further complicated by upcoming elections in France and the United States, which could influence the level of support Ukraine receives.…
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Iran Presidential Election Heads to Runoff: Reformist Faces Ultraconservative in Historic Low Turnout Vote
In the recent Iranian presidential election, a runoff is set between a reformist lawmaker, Massoud Pesan, and an ultraconservative diplomat, S Jal, as neither candidate secured an absolute majority of votes. This election, marked by a historically low turnout of 40%, reflects the nation’s current political and social challenges. Pesan, critical of Iran’s morality police…
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Iran Presidential Runoff: Reformist Pezeshkian Faces Hard-liner Jalili After First Round Results
Iran is set for a presidential runoff between reformist Masoud Pezeshkian and hard-liner Saeed Jalili, following an initial vote where Pezeshkian led with 10.4 million votes against Jalili’s 9.5 million, from a total of 24.5 million votes counted. The election saw a historically low turnout of 40%, the lowest since the 1979 Islamic revolution. Pezeshkian,…
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US Removes Temporary Aid Pier in Gaza Due to Rough Seas, Raising Concerns Over Humanitarian Delivery
The United States has removed a military-built pier intended to deliver aid to Gaza due to rough seas, raising concerns about how aid delivery will continue. The pier, which was operational for only a few days, was part of a temporary measure to facilitate humanitarian aid amidst challenges. Despite the setback, the US is committed…