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Kenya reports its first-ever Ebola death

In tonight's edition: Kenya records its first Ebola death after a man travelled there from the DR Congo via Uganda. Also, Comoros is tightening its rules on who can do business. And in South Africa, concerns are growing that xenophobia and hostility toward foreign nationals could be driving African tourists away.

Cancer rates rising faster among younger people, international study finds

New major research has found that cases of several different kinds of cancer have risen sharply among young people in England, the US, and in the Netherlands. The number of people under the age of 50 diagnosed with prostate cancer in England has quadrupled since 2001. Researchers aren't exactly sure why there's been…

French policeman charged after firing tear gas grenade at high school student

A French policeman was charged Tuesday with violence for firing a tear gas grenade at close range at a 14-year-old student during high school protests that have shaken the country. Speaking with FRANCE 24's Mark Owen, Fanny Gallois, Head of the Freedoms Program, Amnesty International, says that "these cases of serious…

Russian lab worker’s death sparks plague fears as unverified claims spread online

The death of a 28-year-old Russian lab worker at Siberia’s Irkutsk Anti-Plague Institute has sparked online panic about a ‘plague’, despite the WHO assessing the public health risk in Russia as low. Unverified claims about how she became ill, including a laboratory accident involving a test tube, are circulating…

Police make seventh arrest over UK airbase incident

A seventh man was arrested Tuesday over a major incident last month at a British military airbase used by the United States to launch strikes on Iran, police said. The arrest came a day after President Donald Trump said the United States had withdrawn all B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford because of "threats" he believed…

German ex-spy chief arrested for suspected espionage, treason

A former German spy chief was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of espionage and treason, an embarrassing case at a time when the country is seeking to broaden the powers of its intelligence agencies. August Hanning, who ran Germany's BND foreign intelligence agency from 1998 to 2005, is accused of espionage, treason and…

Students, unions and teachers in mass movement to demand better learning conditions

A quarter of a million demonstrators took to the streets across France on Tuesday as unions and teachers joined high school students demanding better learning conditions in protests that later descended into sporadic clashes with security forces. A French policeman was on Tuesday charged with violence over the firing…

Brazil 'has moved to the right progressively over the last two decades', expert says

Senator Flavio Bolsonaro received on Monday endorsements ​from Ronaldo Caiado and Romeu Zema, two right-wing politicians who ran against him in Sunday's first-round vote, ​for ‌the runoff against President Luiz ⁠Inacio Lula da Silva later this month. Speaking with FRANCE 24's Sharon Gaffney, Anthony Pereira, Executive…

Paris students gear up for 'Black Tuesday' protests

Students at the prestigious Paris high school Henri IV blockaded the building early in the morning ahead of the "Black Tuesday" protests which authorities say could attract up to 40,000 demonstrators in the French capital. Despite weeks of escalating protests, students "feel like they are not being listened to" said…

Christa Pike regains consciousness after botched Tennessee execution attempt

Convicted murderer Christa Pike regained consciousness and began speaking Tuesday after surviving a botched execution by lethal injection. Pike, the first woman the state of Tennessee has attempted to put to death in 200 years, remains hospitalised with severe injuries to both arms.

Switching on brain cells: the Nobel-winning science of optogenetics

The Nobel medicine prize was awarded Monday to US psychiatrist and neurologist Karl Deisseroth and German scientists Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel for their pioneering work in the neuroscience field of optogenetics. In optogenetics, scientists control neurones by stimulating them with light -- potentially unlocking…

Quebec votes as separatist surge poses test for Canada PM

Quebec separatists eyed a return to power in Canada's majority French-speaking province Monday in an election that could test Prime Minister Mark Carney's message of national unity to confront the United States. Carney is popular in Quebec, and the possible success of the separatist Parti Quebecois (PQ) is not seen as…

Concerns of US interference weigh on Brazil vote

Conservative Senator Flavio Bolsonaro pulled off a surprise on Sunday in the first round of Brazil’s presidential election by finishing ahead of the incumbent left-wing President Lula, whom he will face in the runoff on October 25. Suspicions of U.S. interference have been hanging over the campaign, even as Donald…

Ethiopia again demands access to the Red Sea

In tonight's edition: Ethiopia's leader Abiy Ahmed secures another term in office, but his country is sliding back into conflict. Also, several major cities across Senegal are battered by torrential rains. Plus some of the migrants being deported from the US fear being sent to African countries criminalising…

Russian officials say 'situation under control' after plague reports

Moscow on Monday downplayed reports that a laboratory technician had died of plague, stressing that post-mortem tests had not detected the disease, while Washington said it was closely monitoring the situation. Reports on Friday that plague had killed a 28-year-old woman named Darya Shipilova, who had been working for…

New York declares statewide disaster emergency as measles cases rise

New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a statewide disaster emergency on Monday as a measles outbreak spreads through under-immunised rural communities, with 108 cases reported this year. The order expands who can administer MMR vaccines and comes as neighbouring Pennsylvania battles an outbreak that has killed five…

Brazil heads to the polls for high-stakes election between Lula and Flavio Bolsonaro

Brazilians began casting their votes on Sunday in a closely watch presidential election pitting incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva against right-wing Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, son of former president Jair Bolsonaro. Nearly 160 million voters will also pick lawmakers, senators and governors in an election…

German Chancellor in Kyiv: "Ukraine will need our support"

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited Ukraine on Sunday to show solidarity after Russian attacks on Kyiv infrastructure, including three bridges. Last month, Germany’s foreign minister called for de-escalation during talks with his Russian counterpart at the UN, drawing criticism from Sergei Lavrov, who urged…

Brazil: Lula and Bolsonaro tied in polls

Brazilians began casting their votes on Sunday in a closely watch presidential election pitting incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva against right-wing Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, son of former president Jair Bolsonaro. Mara Nogueira, Senior Lecturer in Urban Geography at Birbeck, University of London, says the…

Lula de Silva: 80-year-old incumbent Brazilian president seeks 4th term

Brazilians began casting their votes on Sunday in a closely watch presidential election pitting incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva against right-wing Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, son of former president Jair Bolsonaro. Nearly 160 million voters will also pick lawmakers, senators and governors in an election…

Lula and Bolsonaro face off in Brazil presidential race

Twelve candidates are on the ballot, but the presidential race is centred on two rivals: President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Flavio Bolsonaro. Lula is seeking a fourth and final term, warning that Brazil’s sovereignty is at stake amid pressure from Donald Trump. Bolsonaro, meanwhile, has highlighted his ties to…

Cornell president breaks silence over alleged campus rape

Cornell University remains at the centre of controversy over an alleged gang rape at a fraternity on campus, with the university president now breaking his silence. In an eight-minute video statement released Saturday night, Michael Kotlikoff called the allegations, made by a woman known as Jane Doe, deeply disturbing…

Israel prepares to mark October 7

An Israeli strike on a civilian vehicle in Gaza on Sunday killed one Palestinian and wounded at least 11 others. Israel’s military said it was targeting a Hamas militant. Palestinians have reported a surge in Israeli fire and airstrikes across Gaza over the past month, with more than 75,000 people killed and much of…

Russian strike hits Kyiv amid Chancellor Merz visit

Moscow has once again bombed one of Kyiv’s bridges, despite the presence of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in the Ukrainian capital. The visit was unplanned, but Merz says it was intended to show Germany’s support for Ukraine. France 24 correspondent Gulliver Cragg, reporting from Kyiv, says traffic has resumed on…

Brazil: A portrait of Flavio Bolsonaro

Brazilians are voting for governors and lawmakers, but the biggest stakes are in the presidential race. Twelve candidates are on the ballot, but the contest is seen as a toss-up between President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Flavio Bolsonaro. Lula is seeking a fourth and final term, warning that Brazil’s sovereignty…

Tsar Samuel laid to rest in Sofia

In Bulgaria, the remains of medieval ruler Tsar Samuel have been laid to rest in the capital Sofia, after being flown back from the border with Greece by Bulgarian fighter jets. Their return follows decades of negotiations with Athens, in exchange for the return of religious artefacts. Nicholas Rushworth has more.

Brazil polls open in a few hours

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his main challenger Flavio Bolsonaro wrapped up their campaigns on Saturday in the powerhouse state of Sao Paulo, where a fifth of the nation's vote is based, seeking to rally supporters and convince the undecided on the eve of Sunday's nail-biter election. Mareeke…

Flock's AI tracking sparks privacy fears and violence

In the US, Flock Security cameras form an AI-powered surveillance network that records licence plates and other vehicle information. Their controversial use has become a political issue ahead of the midterm elections, and the cameras are increasingly being targeted by vandals. Caitlin Brown explains.

Yemen’s Houthis claim attacks on Aramco facilities in Riyadh

Yemen’s Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for attacks in Riyadh, including on facilities belonging to Aramco, the world’s largest oil company. This follows reports from residents of flames and smoke rising from an oil facility on the outskirts of the Saudi capital. Meanwhile, the Houthis have accused Saudi…

Germany's Merz visits Kyiv as Russia steps up attacks on Ukrainian cities

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Ukraine's capital Kyiv on Sunday on an unannounced visit in a show of support for the country in its war with Russia. Merz's visit comes just a day after Russia warned foreigners and diplomats to leave the Ukrainian capital, saying that "massive" new airstrikes would hit the…

Bosnia votes in general election with wartime divisions still dominating

Bosnia is heading to the polls on Sunday after a general election campaign dominated by parties that identify closely with the ethnic divisions of its 1990s war. Voters will elect a vast number of officials across multiple tiers of government, in a complex system that has held the partitioned country together since…

Pacific leaders urge climate action as UN pre-COP talks open in Fiji

Pacific leaders urged action on climate change as UN pre-COP talks opened in Fiji's Nadi on Monday, ahead of next month's COP31 summit in Turkey. Discussions in Fiji and Tuvalu will focus on limiting warming to 1.5C, improving access to climate finance and protecting oceans as rising seas threaten communities.

AI deepfake of BBC report falsely links Indians to FlyDubai hijacking attempt

False videos are circulating after the attempted hijacking of a FlyDubai flight between Dubai and Tel Aviv. One fake "BBC" report falsely claims an Indian passenger was behind the incident and links him to the stabbed pilot, Smit Machchhar. The video though, is an AI-generated deepfake: the BBC never broadcast it, and…

Ethiopia and Eritrea break diplomatic ties over conflict

In tonight's edition: Ethiopia and Eritrea break diplomatic ties, accusing each other of stoking internal conflicts. Also, Nigeria rolls out a digital postcode system for every building. Plus we speak to one of the co-founders of the Rural Women's Assembly as it is recognised for its work challenging power systems.

Students face riot police as protests over school conditions escalate in France

French teenagers on Tuesday set fire to rubbish bins and threw projectiles at police who responded with batons and tear gas, as pupils kept up blockades and protests at hundreds of high schools, demanding better conditions. The movement in the lycees, attended by students aged 15 to 18 for their final three years of…

Netanyahu says Flydubai co-pilot was radicalised as UAE probes terror link

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday the co-pilot accused of attacking a Flydubai flight carrying mostly Israelis had undergone “Islamist radical indoctrination”, as UAE authorities investigated a possible terror link. The captain and passengers overpowered the suspect before the plane made an…

Like a 'rollercoaster': passengers describe harrowing flydubai flight

As flight FZ 1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv approached the Jordanian border on Wednesday, passengers knew in an instant that something was wrong when the plane began plummeting from the sky in a rapid dive. It was like "we were having very big turbulence, but there was no turbulence", passenger Almog Italie told AFP…

UK PM Burnham reopens divisive debate on rejoining EU

Andy Burnham put the idea of Britain rejoining the EU on the table on Wednesday, breaking a taboo for a UK prime minister and reopening the divisive Brexit debate. Speaking with FRANCE 24's Monte Francis, Catherine Barnard, Professor of European Law at the University of Cambridge, says that Burnham "is sending the…

Ethiopian AI expert, Timnit Gebru, wins 'alternative Nobel'

In tonight's edition: Africa's richest man breaks ground on a $16 billion oil refinery in Kenya. Also, at universities across Cameroon, programming is overshadowed with uncertainty amidst an indefinite strike by lecturers. Plus we speak to Ethiopian-born computer scientist and pioneering AI ethicist Timnit Gebru as…

Meet 'America': Trump's AI chatbot changes answers after challenging his claims

Donald Trump has launched "America", an AI chatbot designed as a digital portal for US government information. But its responses appear to be changing. The chatbot initially challenged several of Trump's claims, including on the 2020 election and inflation, providing evidence and links. More recently, it has refused…

'Hard to see Man City getting anything other than the book thrown at them', expert says

Manchester City enjoyed a meteoric rise from mid-table mediocrity to Premier League domination, but their golden era could be forever tarnished after they were found guilty of scores of financial rule breaches. FRANCE 24's Mark Owen speaks with James Reade, Professor of Economics at the University of Reading. He says…

Clashes between French teens, police as school blockades intensify

French teenagers on Tuesday set fire to rubbish bins and threw projectiles at police who responded with batons and tear gas, with hundreds detained across the country over the blockades and protests demanding better conditions at schools. Since last week, students have staged protests outside hundreds of schools over…

Trump renews calls for former Federal Reserve chief Jerome Powell's resignation

The Federal Reserve's watchdog on Wednesday found no grounds for a criminal referral over a roughly $1 billion cost overrun on renovations to the central bank's Washington buildings, while faulting project oversight. The findings prompted President Donald Trump to renew his call for former Fed chief Jerome Powell to…

Ugandan coronation comes under social media scrutiny

In tonight's edition: Uganda's new king of Tooro is crowned before thousands of people. Also, Africa's richest man cautions the continent against losing control of its major projects. And dozens of civilians are killed as Ethiopian government forces bombard towns in the northern region of Tigray.

One in eight cancers worldwide linked to infections, WHO agency says

A new study from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) shows that an estimated 2.3 million new cancer cases worldwide in 2024 – about 12% of all new cancer cases – were caused by infections and could be prevented with treatment or vaccines. FRANCE 24's Jennie Shin speaks with the lead author of the…

French far-right leader Bardella denies anti-Semitism allegations

PRESS REVIEW – Tuesday, September 29: Jordan Bardella, the head of the far-right National Rally party, is accused of anti-Semitic comments dating back to 2013. But first: French high schoolers call for a nationwide strike to protest against teacher absences and dilapidated schools. The Washington Post looks at how AI…

Still the same far right? Le Pen's National Rally denies fresh anti-Semitism claims

A minor bump on the French far right's road to power, or a car crash that wipes out years of rebranding? Bombshell allegations of past anti-Semitic tropes by the man Marine Le Pen has touted as her future prime minister could test her years-long effort to convince French voters that the National Rally is a party of…

RAF Fairford: AI-enhanced photos of suspects fuel false claims about their religion

Five men arrested over a suspected bomb plot at RAF Fairford have been released on bail as investigations continue. Meanwhile, AI-enhanced images purporting to show their faces have gone viral, with some users claiming this "proves" the men are Muslim. SynthID confirms the sharpened images were created using OpenAI…

Ethiopian forces claim to have retaken key Tigray town

In tonight's edition: Ethiopia's army says it's seized a key city in the northern region of Tigray amidst escalating conflict with local rebels. Also, two mass shootings in South Africa leave at least 28 dead. Plus Ugandan activist Praise Aloikin Opoloje is facing court after she turned up following days of…

'Fascinating success': Pope Leo’s appeal in France transcends faith and politics

Annette Young is pleased to welcome Victor GAETAN, Senior International Correspondent for the National Catholic Register. He sees Pope Leo XIV's visit to France as more than a successful pastoral journey. He says it offers a window into the intellectual and political character of Leo's nascent papacy. What has been…

French student protests fuel political clash ahead of 2027 presidential vote

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu and hard-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon traded barbs on Monday over high school students blockading classes to demand more resources. The students cite teacher shortages, deteriorating schools and heavy schedules. The dispute comes ahead of next spring’s presidential election…

Church confronts shock of abuse crisis

After two days in Paris, where he drew hundreds of thousands of worshippers, Pope Leo XIV is continuing his visit to France in the southwestern pilgrimage town of Lourdes. There, he is due to meet privately with survivors of clergy sexual abuse. His four-day trip is the first official papal visit to France in nearly…

UK: Police arrest 5 on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act

British police have evacuated homes near an air force base in Gloucestershire, as army bomb disposal experts examined several vehicles in what authorities described as a major incident. Five men have been arrested on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act and offences under the Explosives Act. RAF Fairford, the base…

Thousands evacuated amid Bangkok floods

Rain is easing in Thailand’s capital, but flooding continues in several low-lying areas. Thousands of people have been forced into temporary shelters after the government declared Bangkok a disaster zone on Saturday. At least eight people have died over the past 10 days as heavy rains caused widespread disruption…

South Africa shootings leave 27 killed

It has been a deadly night in South Africa, with 27 people killed in two separate shooting incidents. Police say 17 people were shot dead at a tavern outside Johannesburg by suspects armed with assault rifles, while another 10 were killed near Cape Town when gunmen opened fire at a venue selling grilled meat. No…

First Protestant march in Catholic area in nearly 30 years

Tensions are running high in Northern Ireland after the High Court in Belfast approved a controversial parade. Around 2,000 protesters have blocked the route into a Catholic area where the Protestant march was due to pass. It is the first time in nearly 30 years that the Orange Order has been allowed to march along…

Femicides on the rise in South Africa

Two more women have been found dead in Johannesburg this weekend, bringing the number of women killed in a single municipality to 11 in just two months. Most of the other victims were in their 20s and 30s, with some found partially undressed and showing signs of sexual assault, raising fears that a serial killer could…

Major incident at UK airbase used by US

British police have evacuated homes near an air force base in Gloucestershire, as army bomb disposal experts examined several vehicles in what authorities described as a major incident. Five men have been arrested on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act and offences under the Explosives Act. RAF Fairford, the base…

Housing crisis fuels Madrid protest

Tens of thousands of people gathered in the Spanish capital on Saturday to call for greater protection for tenants. The protest was sparked by the eviction of an elderly woman who was forced out of her lifelong home after her rent nearly quadrupled. Her case has resonated with many Spaniards who say rising rents…

UK: Several arrested as bomb disposal team examines vehicles

Earlier on Sunday, British police evacuated nearby homes following a major incident at a British military base. Several men were arrested on suspicion of explosives offences, while police said they believed the situation was contained. France 24 correspondent Benedicte Paviot tells us the latest from London.

Poland fears Ukraine war could spill over

In Poland, a close ally of neighbouring Ukraine, concerns are growing that the war could spill across the border. Our next report comes from Suwałki, a city in a region bordering Russia and Belarus that is considered particularly sensitive for NATO countries. Caitlin Brown reports.

Russian strikes kill four in Ukraine

Meanwhile, Moscow and Kyiv continued to exchange strikes on Saturday, with Russian attacks killing at least four people across Ukraine. As both sides intensify their aerial attacks, US President Donald Trump said he hoped Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Vladimir Putin would reach an agreement and “settle” their differences…

Ethiopia accuses Eritrea, Sudan of backing Tigray rebels amid clashes

Ethiopia’s army chief accused Eritrea and Sudan on Sunday of backing armed groups fighting federal troops, as clashes with Tigrayan rebels intensified. The Tigray People’s Liberation Front said it was waging a “defensive war” and seized airports. A humanitarian source said rebels captured the Afar town of Erebti on…