Paris’s Notre-Dame Cathedral threatened by terrorists? An old fake video resurfaces

An old fake video is going viral again: in early September, a number of English-speaking accounts shared an old clip allegedly showing “Muslim” terrorists threatening to burn down churches in France, including Paris’s Notre-Dame Cathedral. The FRANCE 24 Observers team showed in late January that the clip had been entirely fabricated.

Right-wing Trump ally Charlie Kirk shot dead at US university

Right-wing youth activist and influencer Charlie Kirk, a major ally of President Donald Trump, was shot dead Wednesday in an apparent assassination that sparked fears of more political violence in an increasingly febrile United States. FRANCE 24's Wassim Cornet reports from Los Angeles.

'Success rate of air defenses not as good as NATO would want', analyst says

Poland shot down on Wednesday what it said were Russian drones in Polish airspace, drawing vows of support from the United States and other NATO members. Speaking on FRANCE 24, Dafydd Townley, Teaching Fellow in US Politics and International Security at the University of Portsmouth says that 'the success rate of air defenses in dealing with Russian drones is not as good as NATO would want'.

At least 89 killed in ADF attacks in eastern DR Congo

 In the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, militants from the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) — who are linked to the Islamic State — have been increasing their attacks in recent weeks. The North Kivu region has seen multiple attacks this week, leaving at least 89 civilians dead. 

Charlie Kirk, a Trump ally and conservative youth activist, dies after being shot at Utah campus event

Viral image of Bansky mural featuring English flag is digitally altered

After Banksy revealed his latest work, some social media users widely circulated an image alleging that it depicted a judge attacking a protester holding an English flag. But the image was digitally altered to include the flag, as France 24's Charlotte Hughes explains.

French budget crisis: what are the counter-proposals?

Protests gripped France nationwide as the newly-appointed prime minister, Sébastien Lecornu, assumed office. Protesters demonstrated their anger at potentially massive spending cuts, as opposition lawmakers defended their counter-proposals to tackle France's debt and deficit. So what's in their plans? Plus, Danish pharma giant Novo Nordisk has announced a plan to cut 9,000 jobs as the maker of Wegovy and Ozempic struggles to turn its fortunes around. 

Trump ally, conservative youth activist Charlie Kirk dies after being shot at Utah campus event

US right-wing activist and commentator Charlie Kirk, an influential ally of President Donald Trump, was fatally shot in the neck on Wednesday at an event at a Utah university, Trump said. Kirk, 31, had an outsized influence in US politics, helping the rise of Trump's support among younger voters – one of the key factors in the Republican's return to power last year.

Right-wing Trump ally Charlie Kirk shot at US university

Right-wing youth activist and influencer Charlie Kirk, a major ally of President Donald Trump, was shot Wednesday at a US university. Kirk was speaking at an event at Utah Valley University when the attack happened. FRANCE 24's Fraser Jackson reports from Washington.

Nepal protest movement 'hijacked by different interest groups', political scientist says

Nepal's army took back control of Kathmandu on Wednesday after the worst violence in two decades ousted the prime minister and left the parliament ablaze, enforcing a curfew and starting talks with protest leaders. Speaking on FRANCE 24 from Kathmandu, Political Scientist Chandra Dev Bhatta says that the outlook is very uncertain as protesters are divided and the movement has been hijacked by various interest groups.

‘Our voices just aren’t heard’: ‘Block Everything’ protesters meet heavy police response in Paris

Police came down hard on scattered groups of protesters trying to block critical roads and infrastructure in Paris on Wednesday to protest government austerity measures as France's fifth prime minister in under two years took office. Demonstrators said they were frustrated with successive governments that changed names and faces – but not policy.

Brazilian judge votes to annul Bolsonaro case, breaking with peers

Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Luiz Fux voted on Wednesday to acquit former President Jair Bolsonaro of forming a criminal organization and voted to annul his trial over jurisdiction, breaking with peers and raising the odds of an appeal after the final verdict this week. FRANCE 24's Simon Moritz reports.

Some Ukrainians concerned Poland may hesitate to support Kyiv after drones shot down

FRANCE 24's Gulliver Cragg reports from Kyiv as NATO jets shoot down Russian drones in Poland, with some Ukrainians concerned that the long range of the Russian attack may discourage Warsaw from sharing its air defenses with Ukraine. Debris from the Russian drones was found in 11 towns across Poland, including on the outskirts of Warsaw.

Doha strikes: what next for Gaza ceasefire talks?

Marking a dramatic escalation in the region, Israel's assault on Hamas in Qatar drew widespread condemnation from neighbouring Arab countries and beyond. The country's ruling emir has held a series of calls with world leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump - who has criticised the attack - amid fears that it is likely to deal a serious blow to efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza. FRANCE 24's Emerald Maxwell reports.

Protesters clash with police in France as new PM starts job

Protesters took to the streets in France in a show of grassroots opposition to President Emmanuel Macron, sparking clashes with police and dozens of arrests. FRANCE 24's James Andre reports from central Paris.

Macron protégé Lecornu named to handle budget crisis - something old or something new?

First day on the job for a new French prime minister, and the long-announced date for a Yellow Vests-style day of protest against austerity. Sébastien Lecornu taking the handover from predecessor François Bayrou who also passed on the bigger political hot potato, that of a budget that still needs passing, Bayrou undone by an opposition-led parliament.  

Knife attack at school in French Riviera town of Antibes wounds teacher, student

A teacher and a student were injured in a knife attack at a school in the Riviera town of Antibes in southern France, police said Wednesday, adding that the suspect was detained. The incident was the latest in a spate of knife attacks on teachers and students in recent years.

Can Macron’s quiet power broker Sébastien Lecornu navigate France’s fractured politics as PM?

Sébastien Lecornu became France’s new prime minister on Wednesday after François Bayrou’s fall in a confidence vote earlier this week. A loyal ally of President Emmanuel Macron with a fast rise and mixed record, he must now steady a fractured parliament and face nationwide protests.

Continuity Macronism: Will loyalist Lecornu face entrenched opposition as political divide hardens?

France's new Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu promised a "profound break" with the past on Wednesday as he faced the thorny task of trying to build a government with enough parliamentary support to avoid an early demise. Lecornu's first day on the job coincided with street protests across France in a show of grassroots opposition to President Emmanuel Macron, which resulted in clashes with police and dozens of arrests, as well as some disruption to transport, schools and other services. For in-depth analysis and a deeper perspective, Oliver Farry welcomes Dr. Andrew Smith, Historian of modern France and Lecturer in Liberal Arts at Queen Mary University of London.

Block Everything: 'Protests gaining momentum in Paris'

France 24's senor reporter James Andre reports live on the 'Block Everything' protests taking place in central Paris where, he says, the demonstrations have been gaining momentum and growing in size over the past few hours.

Brazilian judge votes to annul Bolsonaro coup plot case

Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Luiz Fux voted on Wednesday to annul the case against former President Jair Bolsonaro due to improper jurisdiction, breaking with his peers and bolstering the odds of an appeal following the verdict this week.

New French PM vows 'break' with past at handover ceremony

France's new Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu promised a "profound break" with the past at an official handover ceremony on Wednesday as he faced the thorny task of trying to build a government with enough parliamentary support to avoid an early demise. France 24's Clovis Casali was there.

Fire breaks out in central Paris restaurant amid 'Block Everything' protests

Firefighters were trying to put out a fire in a central Paris restaurant amid a nationwide "Block Everything" protest on Wednesday. France 24's reporter in the French capital Antonia Kerrigan has the latest.