Aqaba to welcome 13 cruise ships before year-end — ASEZA
AMMAN — Thirteen cruise ships are expected to arrive in Aqaba before the end of the year, starting next September, from various countries, Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) Director of Tourism Salam Maliki said on Thursday.On Wednesday, the first day of Eid Al Adha, the cruise ship “ARO»»»
US says 'more than capable' of resuming war, as peace deal remains elusive
Pentagon head Pete Hegseth - has said that Washington could restart the war with Iran at any time if it wanted. His remarks follow days of talks and a two-hour meeting in the White House situation room - that has yet to produce a deal between the US and Iran. Analysis by FRANCE 24 international aff»»»
Israeli troops push deeper into Lebanon, crossing the Litani river, as talks expected
In Lebanon, Israeli forces have advanced further north. Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu says they have crossed the Litani river - a key reference point in Southern Lebanon marking the limit of a UN-monitored zone. Despite a ceasefire, Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah militants have contin»»»
Returning home to invest: Some entrepreneurs see opportunities in DRC despite instability
While much of the international spotlight remains fixed on conflict in eastern DR Congo and renewed fears around Ebola outbreaks, some members of the Congolese diaspora are choosing to return home and invest. Jean Luc Luboya Tshishimbi, the CEO of Bio Happy Farms, shares his perspective – that of a»»»
Inmates in overcrowded French prison say heatwave makes conditions 'inhumane'
As a heatwave continued to rage in Paris Friday afternoon, French MP Clémentine Autain visited an overcrowded prison in the Seine-Saint-Denis suburb of the capital and witnessed conditions that inmates describe as “inhumane". A damp towel hangs from a barred window, a fan churns the muggy air: Inma»»»
European Union unlocks €16.4 billion in funds for Hungary at Magyar's Brussels visit
The EU has unlocked €16.4 billion in funds for Hungary after new Prime Minister Peter Magyar enacted reforms to weed out corruption. It caps off weeks of negotiations between his government and the EU to release funding crucial to Hungary's slumping economy. Details by Camille Knight.»»»
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs receives phone call from Philippine Foreign Secretary
Doha, Qatar: Minister of State for Foreign Affairs HE Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi received a phone call on Saturday from Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines HE Maria Theresa P. Lazaro. During the call, they discussed bilateral cooperation between the two countries and wa»»»
WHO chief visits Ebola epicentre in DR Congo, as death toll rises
The number of suspected cases of Ebola continues to rise by the day... now above the thousand mark. On the ground, Congolese authorities are scrambling to provide protective equipment which is in short supply, and to establish trust within communities to help fight the spread of the virus. WHO Dire»»»
How to to end edemic violence in Colombia? Presidential elections to take place on Sunday
Colombia is going to the polls this Sunday. The presidential election is set to determine Gustavo Petro’s successor. Violence is at the heart of this campaign: armed groups are stepping up their attacks, and each candidate has their own proposals for how to prevent it. Violence is an endemic proble»»»
France mourns intellectual 'grandfather', sociologist and philosopher Edgar Morin
France is mourning the loss of Edgar Morin. The country's favorite intellectual has passed away at the age of 104. President Emmanuel Macron paid him tribute - calling Morin 'humanism personified' - and offered his loved ones the condolences of the Nation. A look back at his life with Caroline Baum»»»
Charges pending for bus driver in Virginia crash that killed 5 - UPI.com
A bus crash in Virginia killed five people in one family, including two children, and another unidentified woman. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo May 30 (UPI) -- The bus driver whose bus crashed into cars on a Virginia highway Friday will face charges for the accident. Charges are pen»»»
Film funding bill to support blockbusters made in Germany
MediaGermanyFilm funding bill to support blockbusters made in GermanyMarcel FürstenauThe German government wants to attract more filmmakers and make the country a 'global player' in on-screen entertainment. A new bill would require media companies to make mandatory investments in the film industry.»»»
Trump health check-up: White House releases memo on fitness
The White House has said US President Donald Trump remains in “excellent health” and is fully fit to carry out the duties of Commander-in-Chief, following a medical examination at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. A memo from presidential physician Captain Sean P. Barbabella stated that»»»
DR Congo sees first recovery from Ebola as disease scourges the country
A patient in the DRC has been confirmed to have recovered - a first since the outbreak was detected in mid-May. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus visited the country on Friday, where authorities are still struggling to contain the spread of the disease. Story by Jennie Shin.»»»
"Choose France" summit to kick off as factory closures multiply
In France, Emmanuel Macron toured the French factory of German-owned Thermomix kitchen appliances on Friday… one of over 100 industrial and business sites opening to the public this weekend in the leadup to the French President's annual "Choose France" summit on Monday. Macron will be hosting some »»»
Bulgaria Creates New Anti-Corruption Body, DPS Stands Alone in Opposition
Bulgaria's Parliament has given final approval to legislation establishing a new Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), a move backed by all parliamentary groups except Delyan Peevski’s DPS. The vote comes less than four months after lawmakers dismantled the previous anti-corruption body, a decision ini»»»
Bulgaria's Role in Trump's Board of Peace Unclear as Funding Promises Fall Short
Four months after the establishment of the Board of Peace, an international body launched under the initiative of U.S. President Donald Trump, none of the billions of dollars pledged by participating countries has reportedly reached the organization, according to information published by the Financ»»»
Judge blocks Trump's Kennedy center plan and halts renovation plan
A judge has revoked the Kennedy Memorial Center board's decision to add Donald Trump's name to the institution, and close for 2 years of intense renovations. The President reacted in a lengthy tirade on his platform Truth Social, and angrily gave up his responsibility in the maintenance and managem»»»
Bolivia at a 'breaking point'? Government blames fugitive ex-leader for unrest
Nearly a month of anti-government protests and a blockade of the capital in Bolivia have pushed the country to a "breaking point", said the President, as demonstrators call for his resignation. Details by Antonia Kerrigan.»»»
Still no deal between Iran and the US after a two-hour Situation Room meeting
There is still no progress on a peace deal in Iran. Washington and Tehran’s statements about the state of negotiations are conflicting, with President Donald Trump emerging empty-handed from a two-hour meeting on the latest proposal from Iran. Trump wants Tehran to remove mines from the Strait of H»»»
Eye on Africa - WHO chief lands in Kinshasa
Tedros Ghebreyesus arrived in Kinshasa ahead of a planned visit to the eastern province of Ituri, the epicentre of the outbreak. We speak to an investor that returned to Congo to grow chillis. And finally the Caen Memorial, in France is presenting an exhibition dedicated to sub-Saharan Africa,»»»
French intellectual and inventor of 'cinema verité' Edgar Morin dies at 104
French intellectual Edgar Morin has died at the age of 104, his wife said Saturday. The World War II Resistance member dedicated his life to promoting critical thinking and combatting intolerance. Outside of France he was best known as the inventor of "cinema verité" for his 1961 doc»»»
Access Asia - ‘Scamdemic’: Inside Southeast Asia's cyber fraud industry
It is one of the world's fastest-growing industries. Cyber fraud operated out of scam centres scattered across the Mekong region generates tens of billions of euros every year -- by some estimates, equivalent to 40 percent of the region's combined GDP. This edition of Access Asia takes a deep look »»»
Malta holds parliamentary elections ruling Labour party looks set to win
Parliamentary elections in Malta began on Saturday as voters cast their ballots in elections likely to secure a record-setting fourth term for the Labour government, according to opinion polls, despite concerns about over-construction and corruption in the tiny Mediterranean nation. Preli»»»
Romania says Russian drone targeting Ukraine crashes in apartment, killing two
France has summoned the Russian ambassador following a drone crash on an apartment building in Romania. It hit an apartment building, wounding two and drawing condemnation from NATO. Russia says no evidence has been provided for claims about Russian drones in the EU. Story by Jennie Shin.»»»
US Ambassador to Greece and Rudi Giuliani Make Surprise Visit to Bulgaria, Meet the President and Energy Minister
A visit to Sofia by US Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani has drawn attention after details of the meetings emerged primarily through social media rather than official announcements from Bulgarian institutions. In a post on X, Guilfoyle said she had trav»»»
Bulgaria: "Revival" Party Leads Surge of Dual-Citizen Parliamentary Candidates, Many Tied to Russia
A total of 20 parliamentary candidates with dual citizenship appeared on the ballot for Bulgaria’s 52nd National Assembly in the April 19 elections, according to data from the Central Election Commission cited after a request by Club Z. One candidate was later removed due to failing to meet residen»»»
Middle East Live: Iran says Trump 'betraying diplomacy' with blockade, excessive demands
An adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei on Saturday said that US President Donald Trump was "betraying diplomacy for the third time" by continuing a naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz and making what he described as excessive demands in negotiations to end the conflict. Follow »»»
Former Finance Minister Rejects Deficit Alarm: “The Government Has All the Tools”Opinions
Former caretaker Finance Minister and current Deputy Mayor of Sofia Georgi Klisurski has argued that Bulgaria is not currently subject to an excessive deficit procedure and still has sufficient room to avoid one if the government takes the necessary fiscal measures. According to Klisurski, the offi»»»
US Pushes Back Deadline Again for Sale of Lukoil International OperationsOpinions
The United States has extended the deadline for companies interested in acquiring international assets from Russian oil company Lukoil, allowing negotiations to continue until June 27, according to the US Treasury Department. The decision effectively gives potential buyers an additional month to en»»»
'It's unfair you can't do everything here': Education comes with exile in Martinique
Every year, 45 percent of university-bound students from France's overseas territories leave their island to pursue higher education. From Réunion to Guadeloupe, brain drain keeps growing, driven by a lack of opportunity. Nowhere is this more acute than in Martinique, which is on track to become Fr»»»
Simi and Haze celebrate master’s degrees
DUBAI: US Palestinian beauty entrepreneurs and influencers Simi and Haze Khadra have added another feather to their caps — a master’s degree each from Harvard University. Born in Saudi Arabia and raised between London and Dubai, the twins initially rose to fame for their front-row fashion week pres»»»
Why does Trump want to transfer Cold War-era plutonium to nuclear start-ups?
The Trump administration has announced that it has selected several nuclear start-ups to participate in a project that would allow them to use plutonium stockpiles inherited from the Cold War. This plan has alarmed nuclear non-proliferation specialists. Cold War-era nuclear technology is making a m»»»
Revisited - Mexico's Tijuana: From gateway to the American Dream to dead end
With Iran's national football team set to be based in Tijuana, Mexico, for the upcoming World Cup, our reporters Laurence Cuvillier and Matthieu Comin travelled to the Mexican city known for being one of the most dangerous in the world. Until recently, this border city with the United States was th»»»
Spotlight - Romania hit by drone strike: Foreign Minister speaks to FRANCE 24
It was two o’clock in the morning when the explosion hit — a Russian drone smashing into the tenth floor of an apartment block in the Romanian town of Galati, just 11 kilometres from the Ukrainian border. Romania scrambled two F-16 fighter jets and a military helicopter, while emergency alerts were»»»
Bulgaria Extends Stay of US Military Aircraft at Sofia Airport Until End of June
The Bulgarian government has decided to extend the stay of U.S. military aircraft at Sofia Airport until the end of June, while signaling that a longer-term deployment at the site is not currently acceptable under Bulgaria’s priorities and procedures. Prime Minister Rumen Radev announced the decisi»»»
Ivan Kostov Backs Andrey Gyurov for President of Bulgaria, Calls Democratic Community “Vanguard of Society”
Former Bulgarian Prime Minister Ivan Kostov publicly endorsed Andrey Gyurov as his preferred presidential candidate from what he described as Bulgaria’s democratic community ahead of the upcoming presidential elections. Speaking to Bulgarian National Television, Kostov praised Gyurov’s performance »»»
FT: Bulgaria Faces EU Excessive Deficit Procedure Just Months After Joining EurozoneOpinions
Bulgaria’s deteriorating fiscal outlook has drawn the attention of the international financial press, with the Financial Times reporting that the country is expected to face an excessive deficit procedure from the European Union as early as next week. The newspaper notes that the move would come on»»»
Bulgaria's Radev Hits Record 56% Trust as Survey Shows Strong Demand for Anti-Corruption Reform
A new Market Links survey commissioned by bTV shows President Rumen Radev with a record 56% level of public trust, positioning him as the only political figure with a positive balance between trust and distrust, at 56% versus 22%. The poll presents him as a broadly unifying figure in a political en»»»
Trump says he’s making final decision on Iran deal as Tehran slams ‘mixture of truth and lies’
US President Donald Trump on Friday said he would be making a final decision on a potential deal to end the US-Israeli war against Iran ahead of a high-security meeting in the White House Situation Room. But after more than two hours of deliberations, no decision has yet been forthcoming. US »»»
Bulgaria’s President Expresses Solidarity with Romania After Russian Drone Attack in Galati
Vice President Iliana Yotova expressed solidarity with the Romanian people following the Russian drone strike on a residential building in the city of Galati that left civilians injured, according to a statement released by the Bulgarian presidency. In a letter addressed to Romanian President Nicus»»»
Bulgaria Tops Europe for Highest Net Income From a €100,000 SalaryOpinions
Bulgaria ranks first in Europe when it comes to how much of a 100,000-euro annual salary employees actually keep after taxes and social security deductions, according to a comparative analysis covering 31 European countries. The study examined net income levels across all EU member states, along wi»»»
Budget Crisis Deepens in Bulgaria as Officials Confirm EU Excessive Deficit Procedure: “Unpopular Measures Are Coming”Opinions
Petar Vitanov, MP from "Progressive Bulgaria" stated that Bulgaria has now officially entered an excessive deficit procedure, adding that this requires urgent fiscal adjustments and institutional responses. Speaking to journalists in the National Assembly, he said the parliamentary group of “Progre»»»
US designates Brazilian crime groups as terrorist organisations
The United States on Thursday designated two of Brazil’s most powerful criminal organisations, the Red Command and First Capital Command, as terrorist organisations, escalating tensions with Brasilia, which strongly opposes the move. US officials said the groups operate transnational criminal »»»
The Observers - War in Lebanon: Cultural heritage at risk
Churches, mosques, and archaeological sites: In its widespread demolition campaign in southern Lebanon, the Israeli military is accused of also destroying cultural and religious heritage. The devastation has been documented by the NGO Green Southerners, which denounces the actions as a direct attac»»»
Trump’s meeting on Iran peace deal has ended, White House official says
US President Donald Trump on Friday finished a meeting in the high-security White House Situation Room during which he said would make a "final determination" on an Iran peace deal, a White House official told AFP. The official did not say if the president had reached a decision. Read our liveblog »»»
The World This Week - Iran: Is Trump “Bored”?, Bolivia at “Breaking point” A Spanish Scandal
It’s been a week where, 90 days into the conflict and ceasefire stand-off with Iran, both Tehran and Washington are insisting time is on their side — each claiming the other needs a deal more urgently. Pressure is growing on the Trump administration with soaring energy prices and midterm elections »»»
WHO chief says deadly Ebola outbreak in DR Congo can be stopped
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the head of the World Health Organization, said Thursday that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has killed more than 200 people, can still be contained despite conflict in the country's east. The WHO on Friday announced that one patient was co»»»
Reporters - Kabwe, the African city where children carry the burden of lead poisoning
Located about 150 kilometres north of Zambia's capital Lusaka, Kabwe is considered one of the most polluted places in the world, following decades of lead and zinc mining. A simple blood test of two children confirms reports of severe lead contamination. FRANCE 24's Caroline Dumay, S»»»
Ghana parliament approves 'anti-LGBTQ' law, awaiting president's signature
Ghana's parliament on Friday approved a law that would make the promotion, sponsorship or intentional support of LGBTQ activities punishable by three to five years in prison. The law is now awaiting ratification by President John Mahama. Ghana's parliament on Friday approved one of the most re»»»