Former Supreme Administrative Court Chair Cholakov Denies Bribery Accusations
Former Supreme Administrative Court (SAC) chair Georgi Cholakov denied holding conversations with an alleged intermediary involved in arranging court decisions in exchange for bribes of hundreds of thousands of euro, quoted by SAC's press centre on Friday evening. His comments came in response to e»»»
Turkiye joins global push to shield children from harmful online content
LONDON: Turkiye has become the latest country to restrict children’s access to social media, passing legislation this week that prevents under-15s from opening accounts on major platforms and requires stricter controls on harmful content. The bill, now awaiting final approval from President Recep T»»»
Israel, Lebanon extend ceasefire as Trump says ‘great chance’ for peace deal
Israel and Lebanon extended their ceasefire by three weeks on Thursday following a meeting of officials from both sides at the White House. US President Donald Trump said he believed there was a "great chance" the two countries would agree on a peace deal, even though Israel and Hezbollah have»»»
Trump orders navy to shoot Iranian boats
The standoff between the United States and Iran in the Strait of Hormuz appears to be edging closer to renewed conflict than a peace deal, with President Donald Trump ordering the Navy to target Iranian boats laying mines and Israel signaling it is ready to resume bombing once it receives the go-ah»»»
Tête à tête - 'The world bailed out the banks, no one is bailing out the children,' UNICEF says
In an interview with FRANCE 24, UNICEF global spokesperson James Elder discussed the situation in Lebanon, where "critical infrastructure that girls and boys rely on" have been targeted, giving Lebanese people "a sense that there really is nowhere safe". He also declared that humanitarian groups li»»»
Spotlight - Pope in Equatorial Guinea: Moral authority role risks being 'whitewashed & used to legitimise power'
François Picard is pleased to welcome Tutu Alicante, an international human rights lawyer and anti-corruption activist. According to Alicante, the pope's visit to Equatorial Guinea presents a paradox: it offers a rare opportunity to spotlight injustice, yet risks being appropriated b»»»
French foreign minister Barrot voices concern about 'terrorist threat' in the Sahel
France's foreign minister Jean-Noël Barrot on Friday voiced concern about the spread of Islamist extremism in west Africa, after talks with Togo's leader, Faure Gnassingbe. Violence by jihadist groups has blighted the Sahel region for the last decade, and is now spreading into northe»»»
Syrian Agriculture Minister visits Italy’s Perugia University for cooperation talks
Rome,,April 24 (SANA) Syria’s Minister of Agriculture, Amjad Badr, and the accompanying delegation visited the University of Perugia in Italy, one of Europe’s oldest and most distinguished academic institutions, particularly renowned for its scientific and agricultural research. The delegation tour»»»
'I wasn't in politics before and I'm not going to be after': Macron to quit politics in 2027
French President Emmanuel Macron said Thursday that he will quit politics in 2027 as the final year in his second term approaches. He added that at this late stage in office, the "hardest thing" was to strike a balance between defending his record and acknowledging what "didn't work out".»»»
Ex-Philippine president Duterte to stand trial at ICC over deadly ‘war on drugs’
The International Criminal Court on Thursday confirmed crimes against humanity charges against former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte, paving the way for a landmark trial. Duterte is accused of murder and attempted murder linked to his anti-drugs campaign, in a major test for the court amid mo»»»
Tokyo urges government workers to swap suits for shorts to counter energy costs
Government workers in Tokyo have new dress code rules that allow them to wear shorts to the office in a bid to cut air conditioning costs, an official said on Friday, as the Middle East war drives up energy costs around the world. Tokyo's metropolitan government is encouraging staff to wear shorts »»»
Sheikh Abdullah receives phone call from Russian Foreign Minister
Abu Dhabi: Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, received a phone call from Sergey Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. During the call, the two ministers discussed bilateral relations between the UAE and the Russ»»»
UAE strongly condemns terrorist attack on Kuwaiti border posts
Abu Dhabi: The UAE condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attack that targeted two northern border posts in the State of Kuwait using two explosive-laden drones launched from the Republic of Iraq. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) affirmed that this terrorist attack con»»»
Saudi culture on display at Sarajevo book fair
RIYADH: The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, represented by the King Fahd Cultural Center in Bosnia and Herzegovina, is participating in Saudi Arabia’s pavilion at the 37th Sarajevo International Book Fair, held from April 22 to 27 at the Skenderija Center. This year’s fair, the the»»»
Macron bands Trump with Putin, Xi as ‘dead against’ Europe
ATHENS: French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday banded US President Donald Trump together with Russia’s Vladmir Putin and China’s Xi Jinping as world leaders who are “dead against” Europe. Macron’s bromance with the mercurial US leader has cooled in recent months, and the White House has made no»»»
Thailand offers backing for Myanmar’s bid to normalize ASEAN ties
BANGKOK: Thailand wants to play a leading role in Myanmar’s bid to normalize its ties with Southeast Asian bloc ASEAN after five years on the sidelines, the Thai foreign minister said ahead of a meeting on Wednesday with new President Min Aung Hlaing. Former military chief Min Aung Hlaing led a 20»»»
Press Review - After losing her son, healthy British woman will legally end her life in Swiss clinic
PRESS REVIEW – Friday, April 24: We look at reactions in the German, Russian and Kazakh press after an important oil pipeline from Russia is suspended to Germany. Russia says it's for "technical" reasons, but the German press say it is "political". Also: the press is divided over the case of a»»»
Tête à tête - Humanitarian worker Mike Penrose on the 'Food from Ukraine' programme
In an interview with FRANCE 24, Mike Penrose, a veteran humanitarian worker and special adviser to the government of Ukraine on the "Food from Ukraine" humanitarian programme, explained that this initiative "increases the value of the aid that's being distributed" in an "era of diminishing amounts »»»
Reporters - Why are so many Colombians fighting for Ukraine?
On the most dangerous parts of Ukraine's front line, it's almost as common these days to hear Spanish as Ukrainian. Many Colombian soldiers are now fighting in Ukraine, lured by the comparatively high salaries, but also by a sense of adventure and of helping a good cause. Our reporters Gulliver Cra»»»
The 51% - First female coach of top European men's football team faces backlash
Marie-Louise Eta has broken barriers in football as the first woman to coach a top-tier European men's club at Union Berlin. But the historic appointment has also triggered a wave of misogynistic attacks. Also we all know it to be the case but now we have the data to back it up. A new report reveal»»»
Revisited - 'Baseball bat years' continue to haunt eastern Germany, 30 years on
In the 1990s, just after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the former East Germany experienced a wave of far-right racist and political violence. In Germany, this period is known as the "baseball bat years" – a dark period that still haunts the country today. After the fall of »»»
Europe Rendezvous - Crossing borders: The EU powers your mobility (part 1)
In this two-part show, Armen Georgian takes viewers on a journey across the European Union, exploring mobility and transport projects funded by the EU’s cohesion policy. In the 2021-2027 budget, the EU has been using its cohesion funds to invest €63.2 billion in transport schemes.&nb»»»
Europe Rendezvous - Crossing borders: The EU powers your mobility (part 2)
In this second part of Europe Rendezvous, Armen Georgian is in Hungary and Austria on his whistle-stop journey across the EU, exploring mobility and transport projects funded by the EU's cohesion policy. Watch moreCrossing borders: The EU powers your mobility (part 1) Our journey continu»»»
Finance Minister: The World Bank grant supports water and health services
Damascus, April 24 (SANA) Finance Minister Mohammad Yisr Barnieh said on Friday that a $225 million grant approved by the World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors for Syria, through the International Development Association, aims to support efforts to improve public service delivery in the water a»»»
Meta to cut workforce by 10% as artificial intelligence spending surges
Meta outlined plans to cut about 8,000 jobs on Thursday as it invests heavily in artificial intelligence. The move comes as part of a broader tech-sector shift towards cost control, with Microsoft also weighing voluntary buyouts ahead of next week’s earnings reports. Meta plans to cut a tenth of it»»»
Heidelberg Materials acquires Turkish partner Sabanci’s 40% stake in cement maker Akcansa for $437mn
Heidelberg Materials (Frankfurt/HEI) has agreed to acquire a 39.72% stake in Akcansa (AKCNS) from Turkish partner Sabanci Holding (SAHOL), Heidelberg has announced. SAHOL, meanwhile, said separately that HEI, its part»»»
Heidelberg Materials acquires Turkish partner Sabanci’s 40% stake in cement maker Akcansa for $437mn
Heidelberg Materials (Frankfurt/HEI) has agreed to acquire a 39.72% stake in Akcansa (AKCNS) from Turkish partner Sabanci Holding (SAHOL), Heidelberg has announced. SAHOL, meanwhile, said separately that HEI, its part»»»
Pakistan playing both sides in US-Iran negotiation is a high-risk balancing act
The war between Iran on one side and the US and Israel on the other has implications for the global economy. While the narrative on negotiations and their nature has been highly divergent between the one communicated by Iranian officials and that trumpeted by US President Donald Trump, one thing th»»»
Pakistan playing both sides in US-Iran negotiation is a high-risk balancing act
The war between Iran on one side and the US and Israel on the other has implications for the global economy. While the narrative on negotiations and their nature has been highly divergent between the one communicated by Iranian officials and that trumpeted by US President Donald Trump, one thing th»»»
Pakistan playing both sides in US-Iran negotiation is a high-risk balancing act
The war between Iran on one side and the US and Israel on the other has implications for the global economy. While the narrative on negotiations and their nature has been highly divergent between the one communicated by Iranian officials and that trumpeted by US President Donald Trump, one thing th»»»
Chile's Kast launches 40-measure reform package with staged corporate tax cut
Chilean President Jose Antonio Kast has formally filed the Economic and Social Reconstruction and Development Bill in the Chamber of Deputies, a 40-plus measure package including a staged reduction in corporate tax from 27% to 23% aimed at reviving growth and cutting unemployment, El Mercurio repor»»»
Pakistan playing both sides in US-Iran negotiation is a high-risk balancing act
The war between Iran on one side and the US and Israel on the other has implications for the global economy. While the narrative on negotiations and their nature has been highly divergent between the one communicated by Iranian officials and that trumpeted by US President Donald Trump, one thing th»»»
COMMENT: Iran was the prequel, China is the target
When Alexei Maslov, one of Russia's best-known Sinologists, told Sputnik radio on April 24 that the true purpose of the US campaign against Iran had been to wound China rather than Tehran, the remark read at first like standard Moscow framing. Iran, he argued, had never truly threatened American in»»»
Pakistan playing both sides in US-Iran negotiation is a high-risk balancing act
The war between Iran on one side and the US and Israel on the other has implications for the global economy. While the narrative on negotiations and their nature has been highly divergent between the one communicated by Iranian officials and that trumpeted by US President Donald Trump, one thing th»»»
COMMENT: Iran was the prequel, China is the target
When Alexei Maslov, one of Russia's best-known Sinologists, told Sputnik radio on April 24 that the true purpose of the US campaign against Iran had been to wound China rather than Tehran, the remark read at first like standard Moscow framing. Iran, he argued, had never truly threatened American in»»»
Iran claims bypass to US naval blockade using Jask port
Iran has claimed it is bypassing the US naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz by using the Jask port on the Gulf of Oman, with oil exports to China holding steady at an average of 985,000 barrels per day in the first half of April, state news reported on April 24. »»»
COMMENT: Iran was the prequel, China is the target
When Alexei Maslov, one of Russia's best-known Sinologists, told Sputnik radio on April 24 that the true purpose of the US campaign against Iran had been to wound China rather than Tehran, the remark read at first like standard Moscow framing. Iran, he argued, had never truly threatened American in»»»
Pakistan playing both sides in US-Iran negotiation is a high-risk balancing act
The war between Iran on one side and the US and Israel on the other has implications for the global economy. While the narrative on negotiations and their nature has been highly divergent between the one communicated by Iranian officials and that trumpeted by US President Donald Trump, one thing th»»»
Iran claims bypass to US naval blockade using Jask port
Iran has claimed it is bypassing the US naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz by using the Jask port on the Gulf of Oman, with oil exports to China holding steady at an average of 985,000 barrels per day in the first half of April, state news reported on April 24. »»»
COMMENT: Iran was the prequel, China is the target
When Alexei Maslov, one of Russia's best-known Sinologists, told Sputnik radio on April 24 that the true purpose of the US campaign against Iran had been to wound China rather than Tehran, the remark read at first like standard Moscow framing. Iran, he argued, had never truly threatened American in»»»
Slovenia’s political vacuum fuels debate over sweeping economic reform bill
Slovenia has entered a period of political uncertainty following the inconclusive March 22 elections, but the absence of a new government has not prevented a fierce debate over a far-reaching draft development law that could reshape the country’s tax and social systems. »»»
Poland's Tusk warns Russia could attack NATO in months
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has warned that Russia could attack a NATO member within months and openly questioned whether the United States would honour its mutual defence commitment in the event of such an attack, Financial Times reported on April 24. »»»
Hungary's plans to join the euro but it won't be easy
For sixteen years, the question of Hungary joining the euro was not really a question at all. Viktor Orban's government was antagonistic towards Brussels, his party had deep eurosceptic roots, and his long-serving central bank governor argued publicly that it would be better to wait until Hungary's»»»
Russia's central bank cuts rate to 14.5% in eighth consecutive cut
The Bank of Russia cut its key interest rate by 50 basis points to 14.5% at the board of directors meeting on April 24, the eighth consecutive rate cut in the central bank's monetary easing cycle, Rosstat data shows. Domes»»»
EU’s 20th Russia sanction package introduces full crypto ban
The European Union has approved its 20th sanctions package against Russia, targeting more than 120 individuals and entities, including oil companies, refineries, ports, tankers, banks, crypto platforms and a number of public figures, according to the announcement of the EU Council. »»»
Lebanon Ambassador in Riyadh: Saudi Arabia Played Key Ceasefire Role
Lebanon’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Ali Karanouh, said a phone call on Tuesday between Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, along with a statement by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, marked the culmination of Saudi efforts that drew on the kingd»»»
Poland's Tusk warns Russia could attack NATO in months
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has warned that Russia could attack a NATO member within months and openly questioned whether the United States would honour its mutual defence commitment in the event of such an attack, Financial Times reported on April 24. »»»
Russia closes second bribery trial of former deputy defence minister Ivanov
Moscow's Simonovsky District Court has closed the second trial of former Russian deputy defence minister Timur Ivanov on bribery charges totalling RUB1.3bn ($15.69mn) to the public and media, Komsomolskaya Pravda reported on April 24, citing RIA Novosti. »»»
Putin's ratings hit post-war low as internet crackdown becomes lightning rod for discontent
Vladimir Putin's approval rating has fallen for a seventh consecutive week to its lowest level since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, according to data from VTsIOM, the state-owned polling agency whose numbers the Kremlin monitors closely and whose methodology has every inc»»»
Indonesia calls on UN to launch immediate investigation into killing of its soldiers serving in UNIFIL in Lebanon
Jakarta: Indonesia has renewed its call for the United Nations to conduct an immediate, thorough, and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack that killed one of its soldiers serving with the United Nations Interim Force (UNIFIL) in Lebanon , stressing the need to ens»»»