Canadian Prime Minister was given a standing ovation at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France on Wednesday as EU chief Ursula von der Leyen raised the prospect of Canada becoming the 27-nation bloc's first “associate member”. "We want to bring the relationship with Canada to the highest level possible," von der Leyen said as she pitched closer cooperation on tech, defence and energy.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed banning children under 13 from accessing social media, online games and chatbots during her annual State of the European Union speech in Strasbourg on Wednesday. She also proposed closer EU-Canada ties, including "associate member" status for Canada.
PRESS REVIEW – Wednesday, 16 September: The Washington Post reports that ICE is facing the fallout of their massive and 'reckless' hiring campaigns. Next, the Trump administration is planning to sell 2.8 billion dollars' worth of bombs to Israel. Also, Ed Sheeran's tour suffers another blow as his opening acts as well as his backing band drop out of his concerts. Finally, the French papers remember Catherine Ringer of the Rita Mitsuko band.
In a report released Wednesday, Amnesty International said Iranian authorities committed “crimes against humanity” during the violent crackdown on the 2022 protests known as the movement “Woman, Life, Freedom” that was sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini.
The US Department of Justice announced on Tuesday charges against five alleged Russian intelligence agents accused of recruiting a global network to conspire attacks and carry out assassinations by order of the Kremlin. The suspects remain at large.
An NBC News helicopter covering a deadly bus collision crashed in Los Angeles on Tuesday, killing three people and sending two others to hospital. Aerial footage showed the wreckage engulfed in flames near a storage facility, with firefighters extinguishing fires that spread to vehicles and storage containers.
Five people were killed and at least seven more were injured in a Russian drone attack on a passenger bus near the frontline in Ukraine's southeast on Wednesday, the regional governor said.
More artists scheduled to participate in Ed Sheeran’s tour of North and South America have quit in solidarity with the rapper Macklemore, who was dropped for making pro-Palestinian comments onstage. Among them are Irish acts Rowe and Lukas Graham, as well as Billie Eilish’s brother, Finneas.
France's former culture minister Rachida Dati goes on trial at a Paris court Wednesday in a corruption case involving charges of lobbying for Renault-Nissan when she was a European parliament member. The high-profile case centres on a contract signed in October 2009 between Dati and fugitive businessman Carlos Ghosn, then head of Renault-Nissan. Dati denies the allegations.
Hong Kong leader John Lee on Wednesday unveiled the city's first five-year plan to boost its global position as a financial hub. The plan serves as a social and economic roadmap detailing the city-state's strategic priorities, including an aim to expand technology ties with mainland China.
Real Madrid narrowly defeated Elche (3-2) in Matchday 6 of La Liga. Kylian Mbappé scored a goal and provided an assist.
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen is set to deliver the annual State of the Union address before the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Wednesday, at a time when the European Union is being hit by multiple crises, including migration, AI, climate change and Russia’s war on Ukraine. Watch live on FRANCE 24 at 9am Paris time (GMT+2).
A news helicopter covering a deadly bus crash in the Los Angeles neighbourhood of Chatsworth came down on Tuesday, killing three people, including a pedestrian.
France's incoming ambassador to the US has been cleared to take up his post after Paris apologised for criticism of Washington over a UN vote. Aurelien Lechevallier, chosen by President Emmanuel Macron to replace Laurent Bili, is expected to arrive in Washington in the coming weeks following the diplomatic dispute.
Saudi Arabia's air defences claim to have intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone south of Mecca on Tuesday, which the Iran-aligned rebels denied. Meanwhile, several explosions were heard on the island of Qeshm, near the Strait of Hormuz. Follow our liveblog for the latest updates.
The Kennedy Center board voted Tuesday to close most of the Washington performing arts complex for safety repairs, hours after a judge again blocked efforts to add President Donald Trump’s name to the building. Trump said the $257 million renovation plan depended on recognising his role in the project.
In tonight's programme, thousands of Africans end up amidst the war in Ukraine fighting or working on behalf of the Kremlin. We speak to a journalist who just got back from Ukraine. Also, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the C64 opposition coalition held a demonstration in the capital Kinshasa. And finally, Kenya's celebrating a stellar athletics victory as the country beats London in the race to host the 2029 World Championships.
European Union envoys have pushed back the expiry of EU Russia sanctions listings by seven days until September 22, a spokesperson for the EU's Irish presidency said on Monday, after failing to agree on a six-month renewal. At issue is whether to de-list Russian-Uzbek billionaire Alisher Usmanov. France has joined Slovakia in a call to remove him, citing national security concerns, EU diplomats said. FRANCE 24's August Hakansson reports.
Speaking with FRANCE 24's Monte Francis, Rex Li, Professor of International Relations at King's College London, says that China "is trying to promote an alternative international security order and project itself as a stabilising force in world politics", adding that while Beijing "is increasingly willing to play a more significant part in ending the conflict in the Middle East, so far we haven't seen any concrete proposals coming from China".
Speaking with FRANCE 24's Monte Francis, Rex Li, Professor of International Relations at King's College London, says that China "is trying to promote an alternative international security order and project itself as a stabilising force in world politics", adding that while Beijing "is increasingly willing to play a more significant part in ending the conflict in the Middle East, so far we haven't seen any concrete proposals coming from China".