US will drop Ukraine ceasefire efforts if progress is not made soon, says Trump
Friday, April 18,2025,19:22
The United States will walk away from efforts to broker a Russia-Ukraine peace deal after months of efforts have failed to bring an end to the fighting, unless there are clear signs of progress soon, US President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Friday. .. read more..
Italian PM Meloni's visit to Trump 'frankly useless' for EU: Senior MEP Benifei
Friday, April 18,2025,17:18
We speak to the chair of the European Parliament's delegation for relations with the United States: Italian politician Brando Benifei. He recently led a group of MEPs to the US to meet members of the US Congress and other players in a bid to de-escalate the trade crisis between Washington and Brussels. He talks of the probability of a negotiated solution, and comments on the complicated political relationship between the US president and the EU – as evidenced by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's tightrope act when she was hosted by Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday. .. read more..
There's a 'strange backsliding' on human rights: Council of Europe chief Berset
Friday, April 18,2025,16:32
A crackdown on demonstrators in Turkey, the detention of the mayor of Istanbul and a clampdown on pro-EU protesters in Georgia – there is currently no shortage of challenges to the Council of Europe from its own members. Europe's largest and oldest intergovernmental body – comprising 46 countries – has a relatively new boss: Alain Berset became secretary general in September 2024. We ask him if human rights are under attack, and what recourse he has when members flout the organisation's core principles and values. Before his current role, Berset was an elected minister in the government of Switzerland. .. read more..
'Careful dance between ideology and realpolitik: Meloni walking a tightrope b...
Friday, April 18,2025,15:55
US Vice President JD Vance met with Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome ahead of celebrating Easter at the Vatican and a meeting with the pope's right-hand man. Meloni shares far-right views with Vance and President Donald Trump, whom she met in Washington just a day before on a charm offensive aiming for a US-EU tariffs deal. For in-depth analysis and a deeper perspective, FRANCE 24's Jennie Shin welcomes Arturo Varvelli, Senior Policy Fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) and Head of ECFR Rome. .. read more..
Nearly 200 students, journalists go on trial in Turkey over Istanbul protests
Friday, April 18,2025,15:52
Nearly 200 people detained in a government crackdown on protests went on trial on Friday in Istanbul. Suspects include several students and journalists who were arrested while demonstrating against the March 19 detention and subsequent jailing of Ekrem Imamoglu, Istanbul's mayor and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's greatest political rival. .. read more..
Client left brain-dead after a botched cryotherapy session in Paris
Friday, April 18,2025,13:49
A client who was injured during a fatal cryotherapy session that had earlier this week claimed the life of another woman is now brain-dead, the prosecutor's office said on Friday. An autopsy on the first victim showed she suffocated due to a lack of oxygen, which might confirm the theory of a nitrogen leak into the cryotherapy chamber. .. read more..
JD Vance says he is 'optimistic' about Ukraine peace deal at Meloni meeting
Friday, April 18,2025,13:46
US Vice President JD Vance on Friday met with Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome to discuss tariffs and a ceasefire in Ukraine, ahead of celebrating Easter at the Vatican. Vance said he would discuss the ceasefire negotiations with Meloni, adding that he felt "optimistic" about bringing the war to a close. .. read more..
Thirsty giants: Big tech's data centres multiply in drought-hit Spain
Friday, April 18,2025,11:58
In recent years, Spain has become a leading destination for tech giants to set up their data centres in Europe. Madrid even aims to become a "digital hub" on the continent, like Germany and the UK. But at what cost to the environment? To cool down their servers, data centres consume billions of litres of drinking water: a huge worry in Spain, one of the countries worst affected by drought in Europe. Our correspondent Armelle Exposito investigates the environmental impact of these data centres. .. read more..
Meloni in the US: Beyond 'speculation' of an EU rift, Italy sets sights on a ...
Friday, April 18,2025,11:18
Donald Trump and Giorgia Meloni struck an optimistic tone on a potential US-EU tariffs deal as the Italian prime minister launched a charm offensive at the White House. The two far-right leaders shared warm words, with Trump calling Meloni "fantastic." Casting herself as the only European able to de-escalate Trump's trade war, Meloni stressed their ultra-conservative alignment and vowed to "make the West great again." For in-depth analysis and a deeper perspective, FRANCE 24's Catalina Marchant De Abreu welcomes Vincenzo Emanuele, Assistant Professor in Political Science at LUISS Guido Carli and Researcher at the Italian Centre for Electoral Studies. .. read more..
High cost of cheap chocolate: Amid cocoa crisis, prices surge in mass-produce...
Friday, April 18,2025,10:58
Cocoa farmers in Ivory Coast, the world's biggest cocoa producer, are struggling as climate change and plant diseases have hurt harvests in recent years. As mass-produced chocolate prices surge in supermarkets and chain stores, our guest Chocolate Maker Mikkel Frils-Holm has surprisingly not been adversely affected by the cacao crisis. Prior to the chocolate crisis, the high-quality cacao he uses generally cost about 3-4 times as much as his mass-producing colleagues." And so he sees the surge in prices mainly affecting the "cheap chocolate in the supermarkets." .. read more..
A tale of 'two far-right leaders': Meloni and Trump's relationship with democ...
Friday, April 18,2025,08:56
Donald Trump and Giorgia Meloni hit an optimistic note about a possible US-EU tariffs deal as the far-right Italian prime minister mounted a charm offensive at the White House. Casting herself as the only European who can de-escalate Trump's trade war, Meloni highlighted their conservative common ground and said she wanted to "make the West great again." For in-depth analysis and a deeper perspective, FRANCE 24's Yinka Oyetade welcomes Laura Montecchio, Lecturer and Doctoral Researcher at King's College London. .. read more..
Two killed in Russian strikes on Ukraine's Kharkiv and Sumy, officials say
Friday, April 18,2025,07:13
Overnight Russian drone and missile attacks on the Ukrainian cities of Kharkiv and Sumy have killed at least two people and wounded dozens more, Ukrainian authorities said Friday. President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Moscow of stepping up its attacks on civilian targets following an agreement last month not to target energy infrastructure. .. read more..
Scientists detect strong evidence of life on an alien planet
Friday, April 18,2025,02:22
Scientists have detected potential evidence of life on K2-18b, a distant exoplanet. A Cambridge team using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope found molecules in its atmosphere that, on Earth, are produced by living organisms. This marks the second, more promising, detection of such chemicals. .. read more..
Ukraine, US sign 'memorandum of intent' on critical minerals deal
Thursday, April 17,2025,21:59
Ukraine and the US signed a "memorandum of intent" on Thursday to advance a deal granting Washington access to Kyiv’s natural resources and critical minerals, Ukraine said. The pact aims to foster an economic partnership and create a reconstruction fund, Deputy PM Yulia Svyrydenko said. .. read more..
Ukrainians see minerals deal as 'typical of Trump's gangster-style diplomacy'...
Thursday, April 17,2025,20:56
Trump on Thursday said he doesn't hold Zelenskyy "responsible" for Russia's invasion of his country but continued to criticize the Ukrainian leader. Trump added Thursday that a deal with Ukraine on extracting the war-wracked country's strategic minerals could be reached next week. We speak to Kyiv Independent reporter Francis Farrell. He says that Ukrainians see the deal as 'exploitative and typical of Trump's gangster-like diplomacy. .. read more..
Unusually heavy spring snow storm wreaks havoc in the Alps
Thursday, April 17,2025,18:21
Heavy snowfall killed at least one person while another was severely injured in an avalanche as snow blanketed areas of Switzerland, Italy and France. The unusually heavy spring storm dumped more than a metre of snow in some areas, shutting ski areas, roads, trains and schools, as authorities urged people to stay home. .. read more..
Swiss Markets Settles Higher After Choppy Session
Thursday, April 17,2025,17:10
The Switzerland market closed on a positive note on Thursday with investors digesting some corporate earnings updates and reacting to the European Central Bank's rate cut decision. .. read more..
Live: Italian PM Giorgia Meloni meets with Trump at White House
Thursday, April 17,2025,17:03
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni meets with US President Donald Trump in Washington on Thursday amid optimism that an EU-US trade deal could be worked out over the Republican's market-shaking tariffs. Meloni said she was "sure" an agreement could be reached, and reaffirmed that the United States is a "reliable partner" despite its tariffs move. Click on the video player to watch her speech at 19:05pm Paris time. .. read more..
European Stocks Close Broadly Lower
Thursday, April 17,2025,16:50
European stocks pared some early losses on Thursday but still ended the day's trading session mostly weak. Worries about trade tensions and tariff uncertainty, and reluctance to pick up stocks ahead of a long weekend contributed to the weakness in the markets. .. read more..
A recovering Pope Francis makes surprise visit to Rome's central jail
Thursday, April 17,2025,15:07
A still-recovering Pope Francis on Thursday visited Rome's Regina Coeli jail in the latest in a spate of surprise recent appearances. The 88-year-old Argentine pontiff was ordered to rest for two months following his release from hospital on March 23 after five weeks of treatment for pneumonia in both lungs. .. read more..
'Paris Noir': A cultural crossroads for Black artists
Thursday, April 17,2025,15:00
Paris's status as a cosmopolitan hub for artists from all over the world was forged in the 20th century, particularly in the postwar period, when it was seen as a beacon for Black artists and intellectuals fleeing colonisation, racism and segregation in their countries of origin. The "Paris Noir" exhibition at Paris's Pompidou Centre is now exploring that pivotal moment when the French capital served as a crossroads for the major Black figures who were debating and designing a post-colonial future. The show features 350 works by 150 artists of African heritage – many of whom have been historically sidelined or forgotten – in an attempt to re-write these "unrecognised and fundamental" cont... .. read more..
Slaveowners obtained redress centuries ago, justice eludes former colonies an...
Thursday, April 17,2025,14:27
As the global call for slavery reparations reaches a critical juncture, pressure mounts on former colonial powers to confront their historic wrongs. Amid this reckoning, French President Emmanuel Macron prepares to officially acknowledge France’s 200-year-old extortion of Haiti once they gained independence. Will recognition lead to reparations? For expert analysis and deeper insight, FRANCE 24’s Oliver Farry welcomes Rosa Freedman, Professor of Law Conflict and Global Development and the Director of the Global Development Division at the University of Reading. .. read more..
FTSE 100 Down 0.75% In Cautious Trade; Sainsbury (J) Rises On Strong Earnings
Thursday, April 17,2025,10:38
U.K. stocks are down in negative territory on Thursday, turning weak after four successive days of gains, as investors focus on corporate earnings updates and continue to monitor the development on the trade front. .. read more..
'Trans women are not women': UK papers react to Supreme Court ruling
Thursday, April 17,2025,10:36
PRESS REVIEW – Thursday, April 17: The UK Supreme Court rules that the legal definition of a woman is based on biological sex. Also, The New York Times describes rifts in Trump's cabinet. Next, Haiti marks 200 years since France asked for compensation in exchange for independence. Also, two mountaineers break a speed climbing record in Switzerland. Meanwhile, astronomers find convincing signs of alien life in the universe. Finally, a Japanese lab has grown chicken nuggets. .. read more..
CAC 40 Moderately Lower As Market Awaits ECB Policy Announcement
Thursday, April 17,2025,10:04
French stocks are exhibiting weakness on Thursday as investors largely refrain from making significant moves ahead of the European Central Bank's monetary policy announcement. Uncertainty surrounding U.S. trade policy and a long weekend ahead also contribute to the cautious mood in the market. .. read more..
Macron hails 'important' talks with US envoys on Russia-Ukraine ceasefire
Thursday, April 17,2025,09:27
French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US envoy Steve Witkoff in Paris to discuss a ceasefire in Ukraine. The talks come as Donald Trump's push to end three years of fighting has not yet borne fruit and after Russian leader Vladimir Putin refused to agree to a complete truce despite multiple efforts to engage him. .. read more..
DAX Pares Early Gains As Mood Turns Cautious Ahead Of ECB Announcement
Thursday, April 17,2025,09:19
After a bright start, German stocks retreated and slipped into negative territory Thursday morning, with the mood turning cautious amid concerns about U.S.-China trade tensions. Also, investors are digesting earnings updates and looking ahead to the European Central Bank's monetary policy announcement. .. read more..
European Shares Drift Lower Ahead Of Long Weekend
Thursday, April 17,2025,08:58
European stocks drifted lower on Thursday as investors fretted about the impact of U.S. President Donald Trump's erratic trade policies on inflation, interest rates and global growth. .. read more..
Italy's Meloni heads to White House in bid to ease EU-US trade tensions
Thursday, April 17,2025,06:07
Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni heads to Washington Thursday as the first EU leader to meet President Trump since his tariff threats, aiming to calm transatlantic tensions, defend Europe’s trade interests, and gauge Trump’s unpredictable stance on global alliances. .. read more..
European Shares Seen Opening Lower Before ECB Rate Decision
Thursday, April 17,2025,05:40
European stocks may open slightly lower on Thursday amid elevated U.S.-China trade tensions and ahead of the European Central Bank's monetary policy announcement later in the day, with the central bank widely expected to lower interest rate by 25 basis points - marking the sixth straight reduction amid signs of falling inflation and rising risks to growth. .. read more..
Russia drone strike kills at least three in Ukraine’s Dnipro
Thursday, April 17,2025,05:04
A Russian drone strike on Dnipro late Wednesday killed three people, including a young girl, and injured 28 others, Ukrainian officials said. The attack sparked fires across the city as aerial assaults intensify despite international calls for a ceasefire. .. read more..
Who’s attacking France's prisons?
Wednesday, April 16,2025,18:14
Since last Friday, nightly attacks against penintentiary gates, parking lots, even the homes of prison guards. A hitherto unknown group has claimed responsibility over the social medium Telegram but it’s early days for investigators. We’ll ask whodunnit… .. read more..
Swiss Market Ends Slightly Weak
Wednesday, April 16,2025,17:23
The Switzerland market settled marginally down on Wednesday after languishing in negative territory right through the day's trading session. Renewed worries about trade tensions rendered the mood cautious, deterring investors from picking up stocks. .. read more..
European Stocks Close On Mixed Note After Cautious Session
Wednesday, April 16,2025,17:08
European stocks recovered from early weakness and settled on a mixed note on Wednesday with investors largely making cautious moves amid renewed concerns about trade tensions following export restrictions on Nvidia's AI chips to China, and U.S. President Donald Trump's order for an investigation into potential tariffs on critical mineral imports. .. read more..
Rubio, Witkoff head to Paris for Ukraine war talks
Wednesday, April 16,2025,13:21
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump's special envoy, travel to Paris on Wednesday for talks with their European counterparts on ending Russia's war in Ukraine. .. read more..
EU lists seven ‘safe’ countries as means to facilitate deportation
Wednesday, April 16,2025,12:44
Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, India, Kosovo, Morocco and Tunisia were included Wednesday on an EU list of "safe countries of origin" in a bid to facilitate migrant returns as Brussels faces pressure to tighten asylum rules. Migrant rights groups have criticised the weakening of asylum safeguards as "dangerous". .. read more..
FTSE Trims Losses, Down Marginally; Bunzl Plunges On Results
Wednesday, April 16,2025,11:55
UK stocks are down in negative territory on Wednesday, snapping a four-session winning streak, due to renewed trade tensions following U.S. restrictions on Nvidia chip exports to China. Some disappointing updates, including from ASML, Nvidia and Bunzl are also weighing on sentiment. .. read more..
UK High Court issues landmark ruling: 'Woman' defined as biological sex, excl...
Wednesday, April 16,2025,11:49
The UK Supreme Court has ruled that the legal definition of "woman" refers to someone born biologically female, excluding trans women under equality laws. The ruling upholds a Scottish group’s appeal challenging transgender recognition. For in-depth analysis and a deeper perspective, FRANCE 24’s Angela Diffley welcomes Flora Bolter, Co-Director of the LGBTI+ Observatory and longtime advocate for equality and inclusion. .. read more..
CAC 40 Turns Weak After Recent Gains As Trade Tensions Weigh
Wednesday, April 16,2025,11:19
French stocks are exhibiting weakness on Wednesday, changing course after recent gains, as renewed concerns about Trump's tariffs weigh on sentiment. .. read more..
Wednesday, April 16,2025,11:04
“The Great Moose Migration”, a 24-hour livestream of moose migrating, has become a national obsession in Sweden, turning viewers into passionate superfans. “It became, in a strange way, gripping, because nothing catastrophic is happening, nothing spectacular is happening," one fan said. "But something very beautiful is happening.” .. read more..