Earth News

Ukraine defence minister resigns as part of Zelensky's cabinet reshuffle

Ukraine's Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov announced his resignation on Wednesday as part of President Volodymyr Zelensky's cabinet reshuffle, stepping down after overseeing a rapid expansion of drone warfare capabilities and military reforms during Russia's full-scale invasion.

Wagner's disinformation network across Africa: France denies asylum to insider turned whistleblower

For Spotlight, François Picard is pleased to welcome Lea Perruchon, Journalist with Forbidden Stories. She exposes a collision of competing interests: journalism, France's national security and their complex asylum policy. Ephrem Yalike-Ngonzo, a former participant in Russia's disinformation campaign in the Central African Republic, turned whistleblower, offered crucial testimony that helped uncover the operations of the Wagner-linked disinformation network across Africa. Following an intervention reportedly supported by the French presidency to evacuate him and his family from imminent danger, French authorities changed course and abruptly rejected his asylum application.

World Cup 2026: Argentina complete comeback to beat England and reach final

World Cup 2026: Argentina complete comeback to beat England and reach final

Argentina beat England 2-1 in a thrilling World Cup semi-final in Atlanta to book their place in the final against Spain as they chase back-to-back World Cup titles. After falling behind to Anthony Gordon's opener, the defending champions fought back with goals from Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez in stoppage time.

No evidence Mitch McConnell’s ‘proof of life’ photo is fake or AI-generated

After weeks of speculation over his health after he hadn’t been seen in weeks, Republican Senator Mitch McConnell shared a "proof of life" photo showing himself alive and well in an apparent bid to silence the rumours. Instead, it fuelled a fresh wave of conspiracy theories. 

People globally view China's Xi more favourably than Donald Trump, Pew poll finds

More people have favourable views of China than the United States in 25 out of 36 countries and territories surveyed, including Canada and Mexico, according to a new poll by the Pew Research Center released on Wednesday. Views were also more favourable of Chinese leader Xi Jinping than US President Donald Trump in 22 of the countries and territories.

Kenya denies Rastafarians the right to smoke marijuana

In tonight's edition, after years of waiting, Kenya's Rastafarians lose a landmark court battle over the religious use of cannabis. Also, the continent's top cocoa producers join forces to process more cocoa at home instead of exporting it raw. And on the beaches of Dakar, an environmental activist is turning heads in a colourful outfit, made entirely from discarded plastic waste.

France's parliament adopts assisted dying law

France on Wednesday moved closer to joining the ranks of countries that guarantee the right to assisted dying, a move championed by President Emmanuel Macron. Macron had promised an assisted dying law when he was re-elected for a second term in 2022, in a change seen as one of the most important social reforms since France allowed same-sex marriage in 2012. If the country's highest constitutional authority approves the legislation, France will join the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland and Canada in legalising assisted dying.

EU, Ukraine seal 'drone deal' to boost production, establish joint ventures

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday announced a "drone deal" with Ukraine to boost joint production of the key battlefield technology. Ukraine has already signed similar deals with some individual EU countries and Gulf nations looking to tap into the expertise Kyiv has developed during more than four years of war with Russia. FRANCE 24's EU correspondent Dave Keating has more.

Firefighters battle 'contained' Fontainebleau forest fire near Paris amid arson probe

With the two wildfires burning southeast of Paris now contained, for investigators, the focus is on how they started. Five people have been arrested, suspected of setting the blazes intentionally, including a volunteer fire fighter. Prosecutors say that a second suspect admitted to accidentally starting a fire by throwing away his cigarette. FRANCE 24's Monte Francis reports.

'You cannot have a good assisted dying law without good palliative care'

For Spotlight, François Picard is pleased to welcome Anne Reynaud, Board Member of the Association for the Right to Die with Dignity. France's long awaited assisted dying legislation marks a profound shift in the country's approach to end of life care, but as Reynaud makes clear, the parliamentary vote is less the end of a debate than the beginning of a new ethical and legal era. Speaking from both personal experience and her professional role, Reynaud argues that the law represents meaningful progress while remaining more restrictive than the recommendations of France's Citizens' Convention.

US launches ‘wave of strikes’ on Iran, Tehran threatens to halt regional energy exports

The US military on Wednesday launched rare daytime attacks on Iran, including a 90-minute wave of strikes, as it reimposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports. Tehran responded with strikes on “US military targets” in Gulf states and threatened to halt energy exports in the region.

Fast food nation? French chicken chain row gets political

On this particular television channel we do love covering the French and their love affair with fine food. But truth be told, eating habits here vary wildly be it by necessity, choice or habit. Don't say it too loudly but France boasts Europe’s highest number of McDonalds per person. So here we go with the feud between neighboring Paris suburbs over chicken drumsticks.

Following years of wildfires, Europe must 'diversify' landscapes and strengthen land management

For Spotlight, François Picard is pleased to welcome Johan Sjöström, Senior Research Scientist at RISE Research Institutes of Sweden. He argues that the devastating wildfires affecting northern France are not an isolated anomaly but part of a "new normal" for Europe. His focus moves beyond extreme weather to examine the interaction between climate, vegetation, land management and institutional preparedness.

England-Argentina: Albiceleste fight back to beat Three Lions and reach final

Argentina beat England 2-1 in the second World Cup 2026 semi-final in Atlanta to reach the final against Spain. The Three Lions took the lead through Anthony Gordon, but goals from Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez completed a late comeback for Lionel Messi's side. Relive the match with our minute-by-minute commentary.

🔴 France’s lower house adopts final text of landmark right-to-die law

Count Binface: The joke candidate that could enter the British Parliament

Could an intergalactic space warrior become the #UK's newest member of #parliament? Now that he is the only likely challenger to Nigel #Farage's seat in the #Clacton-on-Sea by-election, the chances of him entering the House of Commons have never been this high.

🇦🇲🇷🇺Armenia - Russia: Armenian apricots caught in a geopolitical battle

In Armenia’s Ararat valley, apricots are getting swept into the centre of a geopolitical battle between Russia and the West. Angered at Yerevan's pivot away from Moscow, the Kremlin imposed bans and restrictions on the imports of a wide range of Armenian goods, including fruits, vegetables and flowers, ahead of parliamentary elections last month.

US-Iran: Why the cycle of war, talks, repeat?

🇮🇷🇺🇸 Why keep reigniting the conflict? German Marshall Fund of the US' Carrie Lee argues the #IranWar persists because both sides seemingly believe continuous conflict gains them greater leverage in negotiations. More on #F24Debate➡️https://f24.my/C3TH

Europe: National elections may bring "very different Coalition of the Willing next year"

🇺🇦 "There could be very different representation at the coalition of the willing next year." Kira Rudik assesses how political support for #Ukraine may shift with the results of key upcoming #European national elections. More on #F24Debate➡️https://f24.my/C3LG

Does Marco Rubio control Venezuela?

Does Marco Rubio covertly control Venezuela? A report from the New York Times suggests that the US Secretary of State now effectively controls the Latin American country's finances, the distribution of its natural resources and its government since the capture of Nicolas Maduro. FRANCE 24's Monte Francis speaks with Christopher Sabatini, Director of Chatham House’s Latin America program.

Why the US is launching naval drones at Iran’s port city of Bandar Abbas

The US has pounded Iran’s southern port city of Bandar Abbas since Tehran and Washington renewed missile strikes last week, including an unprecedented sea drone attack on a submarine maintenance facility. We take a look at why this city of more than half a million people has become a prime target for the US military.