Poland strips Zelensky of country's highest honour, escalating World War II-e...
Friday, June 19,2026,20:20
Poland's nationalist President Karol Nawrocki said Friday that he was revoking the country's highest award from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, despite Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk's attempts to smooth over the row between the allies. Zelensky infuriated Warsaw earlier this month after he decided to name a Ukrainian unit after a World War II insurgent army that massacred Poles. .. read more..
G7 & Co: Who rules the new world ?
Friday, June 19,2026,18:29
In a week that an interim peace agreement WAS signed between the US and Iran bringing a temporary end to the conflict and the beginning of a sixty day window to negotiate the many unresolved issues. .. read more..
Swiss Market Ends Marginally Up
Friday, June 19,2026,17:46
The Switzerland stock market's benchmark index SMI ended with a small gain on Friday after a choppy session. Investors largely refrained from making significant moves, looking for fresh directional cues. The mood was cautious amid uncertainty about U.S. and Iran securing a lasting peace truce in the Middle East. .. read more..
Major European Markets Close Weak Amid US-Iran Peace Talks Uncertainty
Friday, June 19,2026,17:08
European stocks closed weak on Friday amid cautious moves by investors due to uncertainty about U.S. and Iran securing a lasting peace truce in the Middle East following the abrupt cancellation of talks between the two nations in Switzerland. .. read more..
Italy: Meloni says Trump 'made up' story that she 'begged' him for photo
Friday, June 19,2026,15:58
Donald Trump claimed that Giorgia Meloni had 'begged' for a photo with him during the recent G7 summit. He added that he wasn’t obliged to do it but that he felt sorry for her and agreed. .. read more..
Europe: How energy crises are accelerating the shift to renewables
Friday, June 19,2026,15:23
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Treating energy crisis with fossil fuels is like giving a diabetic sugar: EU ...
Friday, June 19,2026,14:56
EU leaders have cautiously welcomed Donald Trump's signing of an interim agreement with Iran, after nearly four months of war in the Middle East. But it is only a Memorandum of Understanding, and Europeans know the US president too well to celebrate prematurely. The conflict has led to the most severe disruption in energy supplies in decades, and the EU has scrambled to contain the costs. .. read more..
With EU budget battle underway, Commission proposes to increase own resources
Friday, June 19,2026,14:40
EU leaders are meeting in Brussels to talk about the bloc's next seven-year budget, set to go on for the next six months. The European Commission proposed last July a two-trillion-euro seven-year spending plan for the 27-country bloc -- which so-called frugal countries immediately made clear was too high. In the opposing camp, France, long a supporter of common debt, is pushing for ambitious spending as the bloc strives for independence in the technology and defence fields. In the middle, the Commission suggests to develop its own resources. FRANCE 24's Dave Keating tells us more. .. read more..
Brexit: What has changed for the British, 10 years later?
Friday, June 19,2026,14:36
Ten years after the #Brexit vote, FRANCE 24's Revisited examines the impact of this historic decision. How has Brexit changed the country? Has the standard of living for Britons improved since then? What have been the consequences for the economy and key sectors such as agriculture? .. read more..
Delayed US-Iran talks casts shadow over EU summit
Friday, June 19,2026,13:29
The news that the talks between US and Iran are postponed has cast a shadow over the EU summit, as EU leaders hoped that the memorandum of agreement would bring attention back to the conflict in Ukraine. But the Middle East is not totally set aside, with EU leaders set to discuss whether to severe trade ties with Israel or not. FRANCE 24's Armen Georgian tells us what to know. .. read more..
EU-UK relations, 10 years after the referendum: Brexit or Regrexit?
Friday, June 19,2026,13:16
It has been a decade since British voters made the momentous decision to leave the European Union. The EU referendum result on June 24, 2016 led to a profound transformation of British politics, and to Brexit-related infighting that refuses to go away. But if the UK has not truly moved on, what about its former partner in this divorce, the EU? And what does Brussels think when the British government talks about rebuilding this relationship? We put these questions to two MEPs. .. read more..
'Political drama beckons' in the UK as Starmer vows to run in any leadership ...
Friday, June 19,2026,13:06
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged Labour members to unite after the Makerfield by-election victory that returned rival Andy Burnham to parliament, warning against infighting as pressure grows over the party leadership. Burnham's election clears the way for his expectede bid to oust Starmer, who has grown increasingly unpopular. FRANCE 24's Benedicte Paviot has more from London. .. read more..
FTSE Drifts Lower As Miners Shed Ground
Friday, June 19,2026,11:34
After a weak start and a subsequent marginal upmove, the UK market's benchmark index FTSE 100 slipped into negative territory on Friday, weighed down by losses in mining stocks. .. read more..
Meloni ‘frankly stunned’ by Trump's claim she 'begged' for a photo with him
Friday, June 19,2026,11:19
Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said in a video posted on X Friday that she was "frankly stunned" by US President Donald Trump's claim that she "begged" him for a photo during the G7 summit. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said he was cancelling a visit to the US planned for June 21 and 22. .. read more..
EU leaders discuss Ukraine membership and next multi-billion euro budget
Friday, June 19,2026,10:52
It is day two of the EU leaders' summit, where the bloc's next seven-year budget is being discussed. According to the European Commission's proposal, the 2028-2034 budget should be €2 trillion. But leaders are set to clash after both net contributors and beneficiaries criticised that initial proposal. They also agreed to extend sanctions on Russia. FRANCE 24's Armen Georgian tells us what to know. .. read more..
What to know about Keir Starmer's successful rival, newly-elected Andy Burnham
Friday, June 19,2026,10:49
Lawmaker Andy Burnham said Britain needed fundamental change, from its economy to its immigration system, to education and industry, after he won a parliamentary seat in the Makerfield by-election. The election was under intense scrutiny as it was triggered to give Burnham the possibility of challenging PM Keir Starmer for party leadership, for which he would be the favourite. FRANCE 24's Philip Turle tells us what to expect now. .. read more..
French Stocks Turning In Mixed Performance
Friday, June 19,2026,10:02
French stocks turned in a mixed performance Friday morning with investors largely making cautious moves following a setback in U.S.-Iran negotiations after the cancellation of negotiations in Switzerland after exchange of fresh hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah. .. read more..
DAX Modestly Higher With Geopolitical News In Focus
Friday, June 19,2026,09:51
The German stock market's benchmark index DAX moved modestly higher in cautious trade on Friday with investors reacting to the abrupt cancellation of U.S.-Iran peace talks, scheduled to be held in Switzerland. .. read more..
Labour hopes for 'smooth transition' as Starmer rival wins critical election
Friday, June 19,2026,09:31
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has congratulated Labour's Andi Burnham's win in the by-election that took place in the constituency of Makerfield on June 17, while saying he would fight any leadership challenge he is presented with. Burnham is Starmer's main rival, with many in Labour hoping that the new MP will now challenge the PM. FRANCE 24's Benedicte Paviot tells us more. .. read more..
European Shares Edge Higher In Cautious Trade
Friday, June 19,2026,09:23
European stocks were a tad higher on Friday, even as the abrupt cancellation of U.S.-Iran peace talks added to uncertainty over efforts to secure a lasting truce in the Middle East conflict. .. read more..
Starmer's main rival wins key Makerfield election, looks to premiership
Friday, June 19,2026,09:09
Labour's Andy Burnham has won a by-election in northern England, fuelling speculation that he could mount a challenge to Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Starmer’s popularity has cratered since he led the center-left Labour Party to a landslide election victory in July 2024. Labour is losing liberal voters to the growing Green Party, and facing a rising Reform UK, which consistently leads in nationwide opinion polls. .. read more..
European Shares Seen Drifting Lower As US-Iran Peace Talks Face Uncertainty
Friday, June 19,2026,05:44
European stocks look set to open on a sluggish note on Friday, with trading volumes likely to remain thin amid a holiday in the United States in observance of Juneteenth. .. read more..
Starmer rival Burnham wins Makerfield as Labour leadership speculation grows
Friday, June 19,2026,02:27
Labour's Andy Burnham won the Makerfield parliamentary by-election on Friday, defeating Reform UK candidate Rob Kenyon and returning to Westminster after years as Greater Manchester mayor. The victory strengthens Burnham's position as a potential successor to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, as speculation grows over Labour's future leadership. .. read more..
EU leaders back stronger trade defences amid Chinese export surge
Friday, June 19,2026,02:02
EU leaders agreed on Thursday to strengthen trade defences against a surge of Chinese exports that Brussels views as a threat to European industry, while maintaining “constructive dialogue” with Beijing. The move reflects growing concern over the EU’s dependence on China, as the bloc’s goods trade deficit reached about 360 billion euros last year. .. read more..
Swiss Market Ends Modestly Lower
Thursday, June 18,2026,18:07
Save for a few minutes early on in the session, the Switzerland market languished in negative territory on Thursday as investors remained reluctant to make significant moves, digesting the central bank's rate decision, and closely following geopolitical news. .. read more..
Mighty is the paintbrush: Semyon Skrepetsky, the Russian dissident artist sho...
Thursday, June 18,2026,18:02
Russian artist and dissident Semyon Skrepetsky was famous for his audacious, even malicious, caricatures of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov. Skrepetsky was shot and killed on Tuesday in the eastern Polish town of Biała Podlaska at the age of 44. .. read more..
European Markets Close Broadly Lower On Interest Rate Concerns
Thursday, June 18,2026,17:49
European stocks closed broadly lower on Thursday as concerns about interest rates following the Federal Reserve's hawkish tone rendered the mood bearish. News about U.S. and Iran signing an interim peace plan help limit markets' downside to some extent. .. read more..
Ukraine hits Moscow with ‘large-scale’ attack
Thursday, June 18,2026,14:29
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Ukraine launches large drone attack on Moscow ahead of NATO meeting
Thursday, June 18,2026,14:00
Explosions were seen across Moscow on June 18 as Ukraine targeted the capital with a large-scale drone attack. Nearly 200 drones were fired at the city forcing the airport to halt flights and evacuate passengers. It's part of Kyiv's plan to choke Russia's war machine by hitting deeper into its territory. .. read more..
Poland detains suspect in fatal shooting of Russian artist critical of Putin,...
Thursday, June 18,2026,12:01
Polish police on Thursday detained a suspect in the daylight killing of a Russian artist known as Semyon Skrepetsky, who was known for his unsparing caricatures of prominent political figures in the Kremlin. Prime Minister Donald Tusk said the man was using a Georgian passport. .. read more..
FTSE 100 Down More Than 1%; BoE Holds Interest Rate
Thursday, June 18,2026,11:40
The UK stock market's benchmark index FTSE 100 is down in negative territory a little past noon on Thursday, with energy and mining stocks sliding lower, weighed down by weak commodity prices. Investors are also digesting the Bank of England's decision to hold interest rate, and the nation's employment data. .. read more..
World Cup favourites' competition starts bring very different results
Thursday, June 18,2026,10:38
Two favourites made their entry into the World Cup on June 18, with two very different results. While Portugal did less well than expected, drawing with DR Congo, England had a great start, beating Croatia 4 to 2 and cementing its status as favourite of the competition. .. read more..
CAC 40 Pares Early Gains, Up Marginally
Thursday, June 18,2026,10:34
After moving higher early on in the session, France's equity benchmark CAC 40 retreated Thursday morning with investors turning a bit cautious amid concerns some major central banks, including the Federal Reserve will hike interest rates this year. The positive start as geopolitical tensions eased following Iran and the U.S. signing an interim peace agreement. .. read more..
Starmer rival seeks win in UK by-election pivotal to prime minister's fate
Thursday, June 18,2026,10:31
The UK's Prime Minister Keir Starmer has insisted he will fight to stay in his role if a leadership challenge is launched by Andy Burnham. But before any such contest unfolds, Burnham must win a seat in parliament, which he is hoping to do on June 18 in a by-election in the Makerfield constituency. The race is expected to be tight, with Reform UK candidate Rob Kenyon posing a credible opposition to the former Greater Manchester Mayor. .. read more..
DAX Modestly Higher Around Noon
Thursday, June 18,2026,10:02
German stocks turned in a mixed performance in cautious trade Thursday morning amid concerns global central banks, including the Federal Reserve, might hike interest rates sometime during the course of this year. .. read more..
Climate-change driven heatwave brings uncertainty to French farmers
Thursday, June 18,2026,09:53
The sweltering heat returning to France is hitting farmers particularly hard. Temperatures are set to reach up to 40 degrees celsius , but those in the agriculture sector have no choice but to carry on with their daily work. .. read more..
Starmer on the line as UK holds "most important local election in decades"
Thursday, June 18,2026,09:48
Keir Starmer isn’t on the ballot, but the U.K. prime minister’s future is on the line in a special election on June 18. Voters in the Makerfield district of northwest England are electing a new lawmaker. The leading contender is Andy Burnham, the current Labour mayor of Greater Manchester and the favourite to be the next prime minister. FRANCE 24's Benedicte Paviot explains why. .. read more..
US tells NATO it will review its force presence in Europe
Thursday, June 18,2026,09:45
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told NATO the Pentagon will conduct a review of its force presence in Europe within the next six months. The review will depend on how fast European NATO allies take responsibility for their own security. This comes on the back of a G7 summit deemed a success, as Trump has signalled backing Ukraine against Russia. FRANCE 24's Dave Keating tells us more from Brussels. .. read more..
European Shares Decline On Rate-hike Worries
Thursday, June 18,2026,09:17
European stocks were moving lower on Thursday after the U.S. Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged as widely expected, but the latest set of projections suggested there could be at least one increase to its main rate this year. .. read more..
Is football coming home? English fans tell FRANCE 24
Thursday, June 18,2026,09:05
Can Team England bring the #FIFAWorldCup home, 60 years after its first did so in 1966?FRANCE 24 asks some supporters of the #ThreeLions what they think.Do you think #football is coming home? Let us know in the comments below! .. read more..