Earth News

Emirati diplomat could become next UN chief despite human rights concerns

Human rights defenders are sounding the alarm over the United Arab Emirates’ nomination of its former envoy Lana Nusseibeh to be the next UN Secretary General. They say electing a diplomat from the UAE, a country with a questionable human rights record that is accused of backing forces behind a massacre in Sudan, could spell “catastrophe” for the UN.

Strong earthquake strikes China’s remote Tibet region

At least 16 people have died and dozens more have been injured after a major earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale shook China’s remote Tibet region on Thursday, state media said. Hundreds of houses collapsed in the tremor.

Italy's trucker protests halt buffalo mozzarella production, cost producers €3m

A daily update on the latest business and economic news. 

Emmy-winning US actor Tom Skerritt, known for ‘Top Gun’ and ‘Picket Fences’, dies at 93

US actor Tom Skerritt, known for his roles as the doomed caption in 1979's "Alien", a tough flight instructor in the 1986 megahit “Top Gun” and who won an Emmy award winner for his work in the television series “Picket Fences”, has died at 93, his family said in a statement.

‘The best on Earth’: Can weak economic growth undermine Europe’s ‘very sophisticated social system’?

Can Europe continue to sustain one of the world's most ambitious social models while falling increasingly behind its major economic competitors? For Pascal Lamy, former European Commissioner for Trade and former Director-General of the World Trade Organization, this question lies at the heart of the continent's mounting economic and political tensions. Lamy looks beyond the immediate turmoil in France to identify a deeper European predicament: a widening disconnect between the continent's social commitments and its capacity to generate the economic growth needed to sustain them.

Curfew imposed in certain areas of Paris every night until Monday morning

The curfew has been extended in certain areas of Paris, every night from 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. until Monday morning. The measure has been in force since the violence and looting of the weekend, according to an order from the Paris police prefecture published Thursday. A Paris protest Thursday organised by students -- who had held four weeks of protests before the October 17 rallies -- went ahead with hundreds attending after a police ban was overturned by an emergency court injunction. FRANCE 24's Mark Owen speaks with Alice Cohen-Morzadec, International Spokesperson of "L'Union étudiante."

Israel’s Ben-Gvir shares AI videos mocking Gazans as ‘donkeys’ and sending them to Paris

Israel’s far-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir is using AI-generated videos to mock Palestinians and push political messages ahead of the country’s election, including videos magically transporting Gazans to Paris or calling them "donkeys" for choosing to stay. One video has sparked an online spat with France. AI is playing a growing role in the campaign, with parties using deepfakes, bots and AI-generated content, raising concerns about disinformation and the technology’s influence on voters.

Vance tells Republicans to 'stop whining' after Ramaswamy attack ad in Ohio governor's race

US Vice President JD Vance on Wednesday defended an explosive attack ad by Republican Vivek Ramaswamy’s campaign against his Democratic rival in the Ohio governor’s race, telling fellow Republicans to "stop whining" about it and go win the race. The ad features ​Democrat Amy Acton’s ‌estranged mother, Donna Arthur, disputing Acton’s account of a childhood she says involved a period of homelessness and sexual abuse. ⁠Arthur, whom Acton says she has not seen since 1978, urges Ohioans not to vote for her daughter. Acton has said she was sexually abused by her stepfather when she was 12. Her mother stayed with the ‌stepfather, who was charged with rape but fled the state and was never tried. He died in 2004. Acton said she ⁠and her brother were removed from her mother's custody for severe abuse, neglect and sexual abuse. Acton's brother has supported her account. FRANCE 24's Catherine Viette reports.

Targeted by Trump, International Criminal Court wins top EU rights prize

Facing US sanctions, the International Criminal Court was on Thursday awarded the European Union's top rights prize, in a show of support that risks upsetting President Donald Trump. "The European Union is built on respect for multilateralism and international institutions, and this prize recognises the important work of the court in upholding international law and justice," said European Parliament chief Roberta Metsola in announcing the award. The ICC thanked the European Parliament for giving it the Sakharov Prize "at a time when the Court and its officials face unprecedented challenges". FRANCE 24's International Affairs Commentator Douglas Herbert has more.

Back to the Bolsonaros? Brazil presidential run-off goes down to the wire

Brazil's future within the margin of error ahead of Sunday's presidential runoff: most of the latest polls put the far-right's Flavio Bolsonaro ahead of left-wing incumbent Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva... a lead that's narrowed after last weekend's acrimomious debate.

Scientists turned art detectives date van Gogh's 'Starry Night' to actual night sky in 1889

A team of South Korean researchers has put forward a new date for the night sky depicted in Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh's famed masterpiece "The Starry Night". Art historians have long assumed the stars were a product of the artist's fantasy or dated the scene to June 1889 based on the artist's known location and other factors, but astronomical details like the sliver crescent moon didn't line up. 

‘No change’ in Russia’s attitude on war shown by deadly attacks, Zelensky says

Russia’s latest attacks on Ukraine show there has been “no real change” in Moscow’s attitude towards the war, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Thursday. The deadly strikes came just hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin told US envoy Steve Witkoff his country was ready to resume trilateral talks with Washington and Kyiv.

Ahead of US and Israeli elections, 3-day joint attack on Iran 'would not radically change conflict'

Jean-Emile Jammine is pleased to welcome Federico Donelli, Associate Professor of International Relations in the Department of Political and Social Sciences at the University of Trieste in Italy. Can another three days of military strikes achieve what eight months of confrontation have failed to deliver? Donelli challenges the assumption that a short, intensive offensive would necessarily produce a decisive political outcome. He argues, "the real question is whether military pressure is intended to constrain Iran's capacity, or to pressure Iran to sit on the table." And whether they can translate that capacity into a sustainable political outcome without provoking a wider regional crisis. Regardless, Donelli reminds us that "Iran still has leverage over the US."

🔴Live: Authorities in Lyon and Marseille ban all protests Saturday

French shopkeepers fear new looting in upcoming protests

In Paris, shopkeepers fear further losses ahead of a demonstration planned for next Saturday. After last weekend’s protests saw scenes of vandalism, some are considering closing their shops, while others plan to stay open.

Ukraine and Russia exchange strikes after US envoy visit to the Kremlin

Ukraine and Russia exchanged drone and missile strikes on Thursday, killing seven people in Ukraine, according to authorities. Moscow said it had intercepted 630 Ukrainian drones targeting the Russian capital. The strikes came hours after US envoy Steve Witkoff met Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg. Witkoff said Moscow was ready to resume trilateral talks with Kyiv and Washington.

Georgia on Democrats’ minds: Powering up the Black vote to counter Trump's meddling

President Donald Trump's push to redistrict congressional maps and a Georgia state election law disproportionately affecting African Americans are aimed at diluting the power of the Black vote. Six decades after Atlanta was at the heart of the civil rights movement that granted Blacks in the southern states the right to vote, the community is fighting back.  

Ethiopia-Eritrea: Is there a risk of a wider conflict?

Concerns are mounting as Ethiopia and Eritrea inch closer to war. With Ethiopia now having taken control of the border town of Zalambessa, the fear is that Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed will send his troops into Eritrea. In Perspective, we spoke to Martin Plaut, a senior research fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London.

French students demonstrate again, despite school holidays

The French "interfac" student movement organised new protests on Thursday, even though it is currently the school holidays in France. Student representatives are set to meet soon with Education Minister Edouard Geffray. Details by FRANCE 24's Ellen Gainsford.

Reports show US and Israel are planning new strikes on Iran

Reports claim that the US and Israel have ramped up military drills and planned new strikes in Iran, potentially targeting energy sites, drone facilities and missile arsenals. Details by FRANCE 24's correspondent in Jerusalem, Noga Tarnopolsky.

Italian truckers block roads to protest against soaring diesel prices

Italian truck drivers have been blocking refineries and key roads to protest against soaring diesel prices. Italy’s government has warned truckers blocking roads could face criminal penalties, as authorities move to clear demonstrations. Details by FRANCE 24's correspondent in Rome, Seema Gupta.

Cameroon: Ten years after a massive train disaster, victims are still awaiting justice

It has been ten years since a Cameroon National Railway Intercity train travelling between Yaounde and Douala derailed and became the country's worst ever railway disaster. Seventy-nine people were killed and hundreds were injured.

French PM Sebastien Lecornu meets with leaders of political parties amid unrest

French PM Sebastien Lecornu holds a meeting with the leaders of political parties after unrest this weekend across the country. The aim is to prevent potential violence during the next protests, including on Saturday as the "Yellow vests" movement called for a new mobilisation. Details by FRANCE 24's Luke Shrago.

Russia agrees to resume trilateral peace talks on Ukraine war

A US envoy met Putin in Saint Petersburg on Wednesday after the Kremlin agreed to resume peace talks with Ukraine and the United States. Details by FRANCE 24's correspondent Gulliver Cragg.