UK's Starmer 'appalled' by spate of arson attacks against London Jewish sites
Sunday, April 19,2026,13:22
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Sunday he was "appalled" by several arson attacks on Jewish sites in northwest London in recent weeks following an attack overnight from Saturday to Sunday targeting a synagogue. .. read more..
Spain’s Sánchez leads progressive push as far-right gathers in Milan
Sunday, April 19,2026,08:57
On Saturday, Pedro Sánchez hosted left-wing leaders at rallies promoting democracy and progressive unity on Barcelona. A vocal critic of Donald Trump and the US-Israeli war in Iran, he called for peace and claimed far-right influence was waning, as a rival gathering of far-right leaders in Milan suggested otherwise. .. read more..
Bulgaria heads to the polls in eighth general election in five years
Sunday, April 19,2026,01:21
Voters in Bulgaria headed to the polls Sunday for an eighth general election in five years, with ex-president Rumen Radev tipped to win on anti-corruption pledges. The election comes after unrest toppled Boyko Borissov’s rule and left the pro-European GERB party trailing. .. read more..
Europe's far right leaders gather in Milan rally against immigration
Saturday, April 18,2026,18:22
Several thousand people gathered in Milan on Saturday for a large rally attended by several European far-right leaders who spoke on immigration, security, and against EU regulations. .. read more..
Shooter opens fire in Kyiv district, 'several dead', mayor says
Saturday, April 18,2026,15:18
A man opened fire on Saturday in the Holosiivskyi district of the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, leaving “several people dead and wounded,” and then barricaded himself inside a supermarket, according to Mayor Vitaly Klitschko. .. read more..
Should Timmy, the whale stranded off the German coast, be saved?
Saturday, April 18,2026,12:39
Rescuers in northern Germany are trying to save a sick humpback whale nicknamed 'Timmy', which has repeatedly become stranded off the Baltic Sea coast. Experts are using air cushions and tugboats to refloat the animal, amid debate over whether it can still be safely rescued. .. read more..
Pope vs Trump: Has the week of tension weakened the US president?
Saturday, April 18,2026,12:36
A week of escalating tensions has unfolded between Donald Trump and the Vatican, after Trump insulted the Pope on social media following remarks on peace in the Middle East. His behaviour shocked audiences worldwide and reignited debate over his mental health. The feud has further exposed divisions within the American right in a country where religion plays a central political role. FRANCE 24’s guest Scott Lucas, Professor of US and international politics at the University College of Dublin, examined whether this week of tensions has ultimately weakened the US president. .. read more..
UK : Keir Starmer under pressure over Mandelson vetting scandal
Saturday, April 18,2026,08:43
Keir Starmer is facing mounting pressure after revelations that Peter Mandelson was appointed UK ambassador to the US despite failing security checks, with Starmer saying he was never informed and blaming the Foreign Office. This comes months after Mandelson was dismissed over his ties to Jeffrey Epstein. .. read more..
Sanchez, Lula rally left-wing leaders in Spain amid far-right surge
Saturday, April 18,2026,07:54
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva are set to co-chair a gathering of left-wing leaders in Barcelona on Saturday aimed at countering the rise of the far right and strengthening democratic institutions. The meeting brings together figures from across Europe, Africa and Latin America amid growing global political polarisation. .. read more..
US extends sanctions waiver on Russian oil sales at sea
Saturday, April 18,2026,07:37
The Trump administration on Friday issued a one-month sanctions waiver allowing the sale of Russian oil and petroleum products already loaded at sea, despite the treasury secretary indicating two days earlier that Washington would not renew the measure. The move comes amid efforts to ease global energy prices, which have surged following the Iran war and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. .. read more..
Renzi urges ‘European strategy’, denounces Trump's ‘global chaos’ and populis...
Friday, April 17,2026,20:44
Gavin Lee is pleased to welcome former Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi. Italy's former head of state offers an in-depth, insightful and thought-provoking reading of contemporary geopolitics, European cohesion, and leadership ethics. Speaking from the vantage point of a former leader of a major European country, he reflects on instability in global alliances, energy vulnerability in Europe, and the evolving nature of political leadership. His analysis is marked by a tension between pragmatism and principle, where shifting allegiances are both criticized and, at times, cautiously endorsed. .. read more..
Swiss Stocks Rise After Iran Opens Strait Of Hormuz To Commercial Traffic
Friday, April 17,2026,17:50
After opening flat and then edging higher slowly till about a couple of hours past noon, Swiss stocks climbed up sharply on Friday as buying gathered momentum after Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz completely open to commercial traffic. .. read more..
European Stocks Close On Strong Note After Iran Opens Strait Of Hormuz For Co...
Friday, April 17,2026,17:19
European stocks closed on a strong note on Friday, buoyed by news that Iran has declared the Strait of Hormuz completely open to commercial traffic on the heels of the 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. .. read more..
'Totally unfair' that EU countries making money on energy crunch: Former EU c...
Friday, April 17,2026,16:36
Our guest in this show is known for crossing swords with the Trump administration on the regulation of big tech and, more recently, for actually coming under a US travel ban. Thierry Breton was the EU Commissioner for the Internal Market from 2019 to 2024, when he had a major role in driving forward the Digital Services Act and the Digital Markets Act. He and four other figures were hit with US travel bans at the end of last year, prompting Breton to denounce what he called "a wind of McCarthyism blowing again". .. read more..
Macron, Meloni, Starmer and Merz welcome Hormuz Strait reopening
Friday, April 17,2026,16:13
French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Friday hosted a video conference with their European allies to discuss the possible deployment of a multinational force to the Strait of Hormuz once the war in Iran is over. Macron welcomed Iran's announcement that the waterway would be reopened to commercial shipping for the rest of the ceasefire, but called for the strait's "unconditional" reopening. .. read more..
EU moves to tighten rules on harmful pollutants: The invisible danger of 'for...
Friday, April 17,2026,15:40
They are known as "forever chemicals": synthetic compounds that resist breakdown in the human body and the environment. Also known as PFAS, there are thousands of them, and you might not even realise that you are being exposed to them while doing simple everyday tasks like cooking. The EU does have a strict rulebook on chemicals, when compared to other parts of the world, but some say that industrial lobbying is holding back more stringent regulation. In this episode we look at how the EU is trying to tighten its rules on these pollutants. .. read more..
Europe welcomes Hormuz Strait reopening
Friday, April 17,2026,15:28
French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Friday hosted a video conference with their European allies to discuss the possible deployment of a multinational force to the Strait of Hormuz once the war in Iran is over. Macron welcomed Iran's announcement that the waterway would be reopened to commercial shipping for the rest of the ceasefire, but called for the strait's "unconditional" reopening. France24 International Affairs Editor Rochelle Ferguson shares further insights. .. read more..
REPLAY: EU leaders deliver joint statement on Strait of Hormuz opening
Friday, April 17,2026,15:26
French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Friday hosted a video conference with their European allies to discuss the possible deployment of a multinational force to the Strait of Hormuz once the war in Iran is over. Macron welcomed Iran's announcement that the waterway would be reopened to commercial shipping for the rest of the ceasefire, but called for the strait's "unconditional" reopening. .. read more..
'Wake-up call for Europeans to step up: There’s been a lack of investment' in...
Friday, April 17,2026,14:52
William Hilderbrandt is pleased to welcome Basil Germond, Professor of International Security in the School of Global Affairs and Co-Director of the University research institute Security Lancaster. He examines the emerging European-led initiative to secure the Strait of Hormuz in a post-war context, placing it within broader questions of maritime security, geopolitical negotiation, and transatlantic relations. From his perspective, this initiative reflects a strategic shift: European actors are attempting to shape the conditions of peace and stability themselves, beyond a US-led framework. .. read more..
Living under threat of landslides: The Italian villages at risk of disappearing
Friday, April 17,2026,12:48
With its mountains, hills and fragile cliffs, Italy is one of the European countries most susceptible to hydrogeological disasters: landslides, sinkholes, erosion and floods. The situation is causing concern for the country's local authorities. Over 500,000 buildings are situated in areas exposed to landslides, and nearly 38,000 churches, monuments, historic and cultural heritage sites are at risk. Our Italy correspondent Natalia Mendoza reports. .. read more..
Strait of Hormuz: Macron, Starmer meet at Elysée Palace
Friday, April 17,2026,11:17
French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will on Friday host a video conference with their European allies to discuss the possible deployment of a multinational force to the Strait of Hormuz once the war in Iran is over. The force would help ensure safe and secure passage through the crucial waterway. France24 journalist Carys Garland reports the latest from the Elysée Palace. .. read more..
Kremlin's digital crackdown: VPN restrictions 'a new, sophisticated effort fo...
Friday, April 17,2026,11:03
Alison Sargent is pleased to welcome Hugh WILLIAMSON. As Human Rights Watch Director for Europe and Central Asia, he views Russia’s restrictions on VPNs as part of an architecture of censorship that has expanded significantly since the 2022 Ukraine invasion began. He argues that these policies reflect a deliberate effort by the Kremlin to curtail access to independent information, suppress public debate, and consolidate political control. He highlights the unintended consequences of this strategy: growing public frustration, economic disruption, and political risk for the government. .. read more..
FTSE 100 Drifts Lower In Cautious Trade
Friday, April 17,2026,10:42
The UK stock market drifted down a bit on Friday, underperforming its peers, as investors remain a bit cautious ahead of proposed negotiations between U.S. and Iran this weekend to bring an end to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. .. read more..
CAC 40 Up Nearly 0.5% On Iran Peace Hopes
Friday, April 17,2026,10:22
The French stock market gained in strength after a steady start on Friday, as investors remain hopeful of U.S. and Iran engaging in meaningful discussions this weekend to bring an end to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. .. read more..
DAX Up Nearly 1% Around Noon; Delivery Hero Up Sharply
Friday, April 17,2026,10:04
German stocks are up firmly in positive territory around noon on Friday, lifting the benchmark DAX to a near 7-week high. The mood in the market is a bit bullish amid optimism about an end to the U.S.-Iran conflict sometime soon. .. read more..
Europe leads postwar security talks
Friday, April 17,2026,09:25
Donald Trump has said that another round of talks between the United States and Iran could take place as soon as this weekend. Meanwhile, this Friday, the French and British leaders are due to chair a meeting of around 40 countries focused on securing the Strait of Hormuz. France24 International Affairs Editor Philip Turle shares his insights on this meeting. .. read more..
European Shares Mixed In Cautious Trade
Friday, April 17,2026,09:07
European stocks were mixed on Friday ahead of potential weekend negotiations between the United States and Iran. .. read more..
Europe faces looming jet fuel shortage: 'Six weeks of fuel left', energy boss...
Friday, April 17,2026,07:52
Rising fuel costs have already prompted many airlines worldwide to raise ticket prices, passing the burden on to passengers. But as the crisis drags on and the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked, both Europe and Asia are now facing a severe fuel shortage that could lead to widespread flight cancellations ahead of the busy summer travel season. Luke Shrago reports. .. read more..
European Shares Seen Broadly Lower As Netflix Q2 Outlook Misses Views
Friday, April 17,2026,05:31
European stocks are seen opening broadly lower on Friday as investors react to mixed results from Netflix and await clarity on U.S.-Iran peace talks. .. read more..
'Allies, not vassals': How Meloni's break with Trump became a political momen...
Friday, April 17,2026,05:31
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is managing the repercussions of a public rebuke from US President Donald Trump this week over the pope, Iran and a defence deal with Israel. It's a rupture that had been building since the outbreak of the US-Israel war with Iran and may ultimately serve her political interests ahead of the 2027 legislative elections. .. read more..
Suspect in 1982 Paris Jewish restaurant attack extradited to France
Thursday, April 16,2026,23:52
A suspect in the 1982 Paris Jewish restaurant attack that killed six people was extradited to France on Thursday by the Palestinian Authority. Hicham Harb, now 72, was detained on arrival in Paris and is due to face formal proceedings over one of the country’s deadliest post-war antisemitic attacks. .. read more..
France to reimburse young women for reusable menstrual products
Thursday, April 16,2026,23:37
France announced Tuesday that it will expand access to sustainable menstrual products by reimbursing reusable cups and underwear for eligible young women and low-income groups. The move, aimed at tackling period poverty, is expected to benefit millions once implemented through the country’s social security system from the upcoming academic year. .. read more..
Emergency services in Ukraine 'need armored vehicles' as Russia targets rescu...
Thursday, April 16,2026,19:12
Russia hit civilian areas of Ukraine with hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles, killing at least 16 people and wounding more than 100 others, officials said Thursday. Speaking with FRANCE 24's Mark Owen, Paul Vazeux, founder of Dignitas Ukraine, which brings mobile clinics to Eastern Ukraine, says that his NGO will soon need armored vehicles as Russia continues to target emergency workers. .. read more..
Swiss Market Ends Modestly Lower
Thursday, April 16,2026,18:12
The Swiss stock market ended modestly lower on Thursday, after staying in negative territory for much of the trading session as investors largely refrained from making significant moves, looking ahead to further talks between U.S. and Iran to end the conflict in the Middle East. .. read more..
European Stocks Closed On Mixed Note With Focus On Middle East Peace Talks
Thursday, April 16,2026,17:35
European stocks closed on a mixed note on Thursday with investors mostly making cautious moves, digesting corporate earnings updates and regional economic data, while continuing to focus on geopolitical news. The U.S. and Iran are expected to have another round of discussions to try and arrive at an agreement to end their conflict in the Middle East. .. read more..
Spain at risk of housing bubble as Madrid attracts wealthy foreigners
Thursday, April 16,2026,12:56
In the last few years, Madrid has become a destination of choice for wealthy Latin American investors, as well as for young Americans. The latter are settling in the most historical areas of the Spanish capital, driving up prices in an already competitive housing market. FRANCE 24's Maude Petit-Jové and Sarah Morris report. .. read more..
FTSE 100 Moderately Higher; Intertek, Entain Post Strong Gains
Thursday, April 16,2026,11:44
U.K. stocks are firmly placed in positive territory a little past noon on Thursday amid optimism about U.S. and Iran agreeing on a peace deal later this week. .. read more..
CAC 40 Up Nearly 0.5% As Investors Eye Middle East Peace Talks
Thursday, April 16,2026,10:25
France's equity benchmark CAC 40 climbed higher on Thursday with investors picking up stocks amid optimism over a resolution to the conflict in the Middle East. According to reports, the U.S. and Iran are said to be considering extending their ceasefire by two weeks in order to allow more time for negotiations. .. read more..
DAX Modestly Higher On U.S.-Iran Peace Hopes
Thursday, April 16,2026,10:12
The German stock market is modestly higher on Thursday with investors indulging in some selective buying amid optimism over a resolution to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. .. read more..
European Stocks Move Higher On U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Hopes
Thursday, April 16,2026,09:57
European stocks moved modestly higher on Thursday amid optimism the upcoming talks between officials from Iran and the U.S. will result in a potential resolution to the Middle East conflict. According to reports, the warring nations are considering extending the ceasefire by two weeks in order to allow more time for talks. .. read more..