BusinessGlobal issuesIran war: Oil shortages threaten global energy securitySrinivas MazumdaruStrategic petroleum reserves are declining rapidly as countries release emergency crude supplies to cushion the economic impact of the Middle East conflict. https://p.dw.com/p/5EOlKThe IEA has warned that »»»

AI leaders including Jensen Huang and Sam Altman are moderating earlier warnings about mass job losses from artificial intelligence, suggesting that previous “doomsday” predictions overstated the near-term impact on employment. The shift comes as public concern over workplace disruption from AI con»»»

Germany is close to sealing a major LNG deal with Canada as both countries deepen ties amid uncertainty in Washington under President Trump. The agreement would mark Canada's first big LNG export move. https://p.dw.com/p/5ERU4AdvertisementCanada may soon supply Germany with up to 1 million metric t»»»

A technical incident is preventing FRANCE 24 from offering its live broadcast on digital platforms. FRANCE 24's live stream is currently unavailable on our digital platforms due to a technical issue. Our teams are working to restore service as quickly as possible. We apologize for any inconvenience»»»

Prime Minister Rumen Radev has signaled Bulgaria’s readiness to significantly increase defense spending, telling NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte that the country is prepared to eventually reach a target of 5% of GDP, building on its current 2% benchmark. At a meeting in Brussels, Radev emphasized»»»

Borislav Sarafov officially stepped down from his positions as director of the National Investigation Service and deputy prosecutor general, bringing to a close more than a decade at the top levels of Bulgaria’s prosecution system. The Prosecutorial College of the Supreme Judicial Council approved »»»

BusinessGermanyGermany eyes heat pumps as Iran war drives energy costs upDirk KaufmannThe war in the Middle East is threatening fossil fuel supplies and causing energy prices to rise in Germany. Could that drive a surge in demand for heat pumps? https://p.dw.com/p/5ENspThe government hopes legislat»»»

The United States carried out strikes on a ground control station in the south of Iran on Thursday, prompting retaliation from Tehran which targeted a US base in the most serious clashes since the April ceasefire began. The United States struck southern Iran on Thursday, drawing retaliation from Te»»»

There has been a “tenfold increase” since the start of May in misinformation circulating online in Armenia ahead of the June 7 parliamentary elections, according to Artur Papyan, the director of Armenia’s Media Diversity Institute. Both the ruling party and the opposition – as well as foreign inter»»»

Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev used his first official visit to Paris as head of government to call for a fundamental shift in how Europe approaches the war in Ukraine, saying the continent had been too slow to take the lead on negotiations with Moscow and warning that the current trajectory »»»

The death of a 16-year-old girl in Blagoevgrad and the hospitalization of another teenager with serious injuries after both fell from the fifth floor of an apartment building on Sunday has reignited concerns in Bulgaria over drug distribution among minors, institutional failures, and the accessibil»»»

The US military on Wednesday conducted its second defensive strike this week against Iran after officials said they observed aggressive activity from the Iranian military. This comes shortly after US President Donald Trump threatened to "finish the job" if Tehran didn't agree to a deal. Follow our »»»

The billionaire entrepreneur and philanthropist Aliko Dangote is recognised for his efforts to strengthen energy security in Africa. What: The AEC has named Nigeria’s Aliko Dangote African Energy Person of the Year 2026. Why: Dangote has invested heavily in the physical infrastructure needed for in»»»

Nature and EnvironmentBrazilBrazil revives plan to pave highway through AmazonRoshni Majumdar with AP, ReutersBrazil will invest $75 million to pave a highway that cuts through the center of the Amazon rainforest. Environmentalists argue for strong protections to conserve the ecosystem so crucial t»»»

FRANCE 24 correspondent Renée Davis reports from Beirut on the Israeli military's call for the population of Tyre in southern Lebanon to leave their homes ahead of a fresh wave of air strikes.»»»

Norway on Wednesday became the ninth country to join the France-led nuclear deterrence scheme, the leaders of both countries said. President Emmanuel Macron announced in March that France – the only nuclear-armed country in the EU – would extend its nuclear deterrence scheme to willing European par»»»

A viral video appearing to show Donald Trump falling asleep at a Memorial Day ceremony this Monday sparked outrage online, reigniting rumours about the state of the US president’s health. Social media users claimed Trump was dozing off, and furious that it could take place at a ceremony to hon»»»

In an interview with FRANCE 24, Nicolas Enrich, a former senior USAID official-turned-whistleblower, said the US agency was dismantled not to cut waste but "to soothe the ego of the world's richest man", then DOGE head Elon Musk. Enrich warned that up to 14 million people could die in the next five»»»

Four months after its creation, the Gaza reconstruction fund of US President Donald Trump's so-called Board of Peace has yet to receive any of the billions of dollars pledged by donor countries. Israel has continued to carry out strikes across the devastated Palestinian territory despite a US-backe»»»

The ongoing conflict between armed groups in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has made it harder for health workers to contain the worsening Ebola outbreak, World Health Organization Secretary-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Wednesday. The World Health Organization chief warned»»»

When an Indian student at a US university used AI to create the “Cockroach Janta Party (CPJ)”, a parody political party, it sparked a viral sensation, hitting the zeitgeist in a country that has been particularly affected by the Iran war. As India's youth circumvent bans to express their economic d»»»

A satirical political movement has gone viral amongst India's youth with an unusual mascot at the helm: the cockroach. The Cockroach Janta Party was born after India's chief justice referred to unemployed youth as "cockroaches". Though he later said he was misquoted, his comments ricocheted online.»»»

A 700-kilo albino buffalo in Bangladesh dubbed "Donald Trump" for its sweeping cowlick of strawberry-blond hair has been saved from sacrifice after achieving viral fame. The bull was slated to be slaughtered as part of the Islamic feast of Eid al-Adha on Thursday. A buffalo in Bangladesh nicknamed »»»

A “heat dome” is driving unusually high temperatures across Europe, pushing readings well above seasonal norms. The UK and France have already set May records while Spain and Italy are facing heat alerts and limits on outdoor work. Scientists say climate change is making these kinds of extreme heat»»»

If the first thing Europeans think of when they fill up at the pump is Donald Trump's decision to attack Iran, it's little wonder that previously pro-Maga populists are quietly distancing themselves from the president of the United States. In fact, Trump actively campaigning for Peter Magyar's riva»»»

Bulgaria requires an urgent and large-scale acceleration in wind energy development, including the addition of around 6 to 7 gigawatts of new capacity, in order to offset growing solar generation and ensure a balanced electricity system. This assessment was presented by former Acting Environment an»»»

New Zealand is facing a major brain drain. Even former prime minister Jacinda Ardern has chosen to relocate to Australia. Her decision has reignited a debate over the country's persistent struggle to retain its talent, against a backdrop of a stagnating economy and a soaring cost of living. Our Auc»»»

Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev has called for a major change in Europe’s approach to the war in Ukraine, arguing that Bulgaria must prioritize the security and living standards of its own citizens before committing additional financial support to Kyiv. Speaking during an official visit to Par»»»

Brazilian conservative presidential hopeful Flavio Bolsonaro said on Tuesday he asked US President Donald Trump during a White House meeting to designate Brazil's two largest criminal groups, Comando Vermelho (CV) and Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC), as terrorist organisations, arguing they meet »»»

Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon killed 31 people and wounded 40 on Tuesday, Lebanon’s health ministry said, including at least four children and three women, as Israel said it was intensifying operations despite a truce with the Iran-backed group Hezbollah. Israeli strikes on southern Leba»»»

Israel's defence ministry said Wednesday they had targeted and killed the new leader of Hamas's military wing, Mohammed Odeh, during air strikes in Gaza City, less than two weeks after killing his predecessor. Defence Minister Israel Katz called him “one of the architects” »»»

The Israeli army has arrested at least 197 men in southern Syria since late 2024. A lawyer confirmed that 43 of them are still being held in what he says is arbitrary detention in Israeli prisons. The Israeli army, for its part, says they are targeting “suspected terrorists”. The place is Beit Jinn»»»

African creatives have global clout, but talent is only part of the picture, and in reality the starving artist is not a romantic figure but an unsupported one. No more. Georja speaks to one of the biggest advocates for the development of the continent's artistic industries – Marie Lora Mungai»»»

North Korea said on Wednesday it had tested a new lightweight multi-purpose missile launch system and a multiple tactical cruise missile weapon system a day earlier, under the supervision of leader Kim Jong Un. South Korea's military said the North fired several projectiles, including a ballis»»»

Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev has called for a major change in Europe’s approach to the war in Ukraine, arguing that Bulgaria must prioritize the security and living standards of its own citizens before committing additional financial support to Kyiv. Speaking during an official visit to Par»»»

Something odd has been happening at the checkout page these past eighteen months: shoppers who once tolerated the small ritual of copying an IBAN, opening a banking app and confirming with a code now bail the moment that sequence appears on screen. Cart abandonment data from major payment processor»»»

The global wheat market is entering what experts describe as a structural turning point, with early projections for the 2026 harvest indicating that worldwide consumption will surpass production. This assessment was presented by Vasil Simov, executive director of the Sofia Commodity Exchange (SCE),»»»

Europe’s automotive market continued its upward trend in April, marking a third consecutive month of growth driven by rising demand for electric and hybrid vehicles. Bulgaria emerged as one of the continent’s fastest-growing markets, according to new data from the European Automobile Manufacturers'»»»

The “1 euro house” concept, which gained popularity in parts of Italy and other European countries, is increasingly being viewed as more than just a social experiment. Economists and regional planners now see it as a potential tool for reviving depopulated areas and attracting new investment. The i»»»

Dubai: Leaning on a cane or the barre in her Santiago dance studio, 100-year-old Evelyn Cordero continues to teach ballet with grace and dedication. “Even in my dreams, I dance,” says the veteran instructor, whose passion for ballet has lasted nearly a century. Cordero began dancing at the age of f»»»

Dubai: US President Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed that peace with Iran was within reach, only for fresh military threats, strikes and new tensions in the Strait of Hormuz to follow days — and sometimes hours — later. For weeks, Trump has alternated between declaring diplomatic progress, threa»»»

DUBAI: US Dutch Palestinian supermodel Gigi Hadid made a surprise appearance at the Victoria’s Secret casting call in Miami this week, joining the nationwide search for a new generation of runway models ahead of the brand’s 2026 fashion show. The supermodel was spotted at Dadeland Mall, where aspir»»»

The first round of the French presidential election is just a year away, and a new poll gives an idea of where things stand. French far-right Jordan Bardella comes in a comfortable first, while far-left Jean-Luc Mélenchon and right-wing Edouard Philippe tie in second place. The race is very much ti»»»

Samsung union members on Wednesday signed a deal securing massive annual bonuses – averting a major strike in South Korea where Samsung Electronics alone accounts for around 12.5 percent of gross domestic product. Global demand for the memory chips that power AI data centres has turbocharged S»»»

Konstantin Prodanov, chair of the Temporary Committee on Budget and Finance from “Progressive Bulgaria,” said the country should not delay issuing new state debt, pointing to a tight fiscal environment and growing financing needs in the coming months. Speaking on bTV, he described Bulgaria’s public»»»

FRANCE 24's François Picard welcomes Reggie Washington, American jazz bassist and founding member of the Black Lives collective. Sonny Rollins, one of Jazz's greats, has passed away at age 95. Often called the Saxophone Colossus after his ground breaking 1965 album, Rollins left a lasting mark»»»

Iran accused the United States on Tuesday of breaching a fragile ceasefire with strikes near the Strait of Hormuz, threatening efforts to end nearly seven weeks of conflict. Washington said the attacks were defensive, targeting missile sites and vessels allegedly laying mines. Iran said on Tuesday »»»

Tehran on Tuesday accused Washington of breaching their ceasefire and warned it was ready to retaliate after overnight US strikes, while Israeli bombardment in Lebanon left dozens dead, threatening an increasingly fragile truce there. Follow our liveblog for all the latest developmen»»»

It's a scandal that just won't go away for Starbucks in South Korea. The chairman of the coffee chain's local corporate majority owner was compelled to issue a second public apology in the wake of the company's disastrous "Tank Day" promotion launched earlier this month. Many Koreans saw the campai»»»

Why is Europe warming faster than other parts of the world? The continent is currently in the grip of an early-season heatwave, with record May temperatures driven by a “heat dome” of hot air over western Europe. Scientists point to human-caused emissions, shifting atmospheric patterns, and rapid A»»»