The week in pictures: The end of the World Cup, heatwaves and wildfires, war in Ukraine
The final stages of the World Cup, with Les Bleus’ elimination and England finishing third; extreme heat and wildfires around the world; and the Tour de France brought to a standstill by the heatwave in France. FRANCE 24 looks back at some of the week's most striking images. »»»
First US soldiers killed in Jordan, Trump vows to shift action
Two American service members were killed and a third is missing following an Iranian attack on a US base in Jordan. The deaths are the first from hostile fire since a truce with Iran in early April and come after a week of the heaviest fighting since the conflict began in February. Saturday also ma»»»
US, Iran exchange new strikes
The risk of a wider war in the Middle East is growing after authorities in Bahrain and Kuwait said they intercepted missiles and drones launched from Iran. Air raid sirens also sounded in Jordan's capital, Amman, while Israel said it detected Iranian missiles targeting the coastal city of Aqaba. Th»»»
Ukraine: Thousands take to the streets to protest against Fedorov removal
Protests continued across Ukraine for a third consecutive day despite the ongoing war, with demonstrators demanding the reinstatement of the popular former defence minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, following his removal. The demonstrations coincided with two days of meetings between President Volodymyr Z»»»
Russia launches deadly strikes on Kyiv after attack on Moscow warehouses
Russia fired two dozen ballistic missiles at Kyiv overnight on Sunday, killing one person and wounding 16, in an ever-escalating air war that is taking an increasing civilian toll on both sides. The latest with France 24 correspondent Emmanuelle Chaze, reporting from Kyiv.»»»
EU ban on destroying unsold clothes takes effect
BusinessEuropeEU ban on destroying unsold clothes takes effectNik Martin with AFP, European CommissionUnder new rules to reduce waste, large companies across the European Union can no longer dispose of unsold clothes, accessories and footwear. https://p.dw.com/p/5HNpwThe rise of fast fashion retail»»»
World Cup final: Argentina face Spain
Argentina face Spain in a highly anticipated clash between Lionel Messi and teenage sensation Lamine Yamal. With football's biggest prize at stake, Selina Sykes looks ahead to the showdown.»»»
New Bundesliga TV deal in US prioritizes reach over money
SportsGermanyNew Bundesliga TV deal in US prioritizes reach over moneyJonathan HardingThe Bundesliga has a new home on American screens after Germany's top football league left ESPN. The new deal is a sign of the times. https://p.dw.com/p/5HC5lAfter years of being on ESPN, the Bundesliga has moved »»»
STEG announces power outages in several regions Sunday
Tunis, July 19, 2026 (TAP) – Power outages may occur, on Sunday, between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. in several regions across Tunisia as part of measures to protect the safety and stability of the national electricity grid, according to the Tunisian...»»»
Trump claims US World Cup a success, despite controversies, ahead of final
Donald Trump on Friday said the US had become a "soccer country" after hosting the 2026 World Cup with Mexico and Canada "that brought the world together". But the tournament has not been without its controversies, from hardline US migration policies that excluded fans – and one Somali referee»»»
England beat France 6-4 to finish third
The World Cup resumed on Saturday with the third-place playoff, where England defeated France 6–4. Bukayo Saka scored a hat-trick to help the Three Lions secure their best tournament finish since 1966. Despite the defeat, Kylian Mbappé scored twice for Les Bleus to overtake Lionel Messi as the all-»»»
US: Taco Bell removes lettuce after parasite outbreak
The American fast-food chain Taco Bell is removing lettuce from its menu at many locations following reports of explosive diarrhoea linked to a multistate outbreak. The outbreak is the largest US outbreak of cyclosporiasis, a parasitic infection spread through contaminated food or water. While no d»»»
Middle East live: Iran's Guards say two ships involved in 'accident' after defying Hormuz warnings
Iran's Revolutionary Guards said on Sunday that two ships were involved in an "accident" after attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz via an "unsafe route", while two other vessels abandoned that route, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported. The news came after Washington »»»
Malian army convoy ambushed by rebels north of Gao
A Malian army convoy was ambushed by rebels in a remote part of the northern Gao region, the Malian military confirmed Saturday. Regional al Qaeda affiliate JNIM and the separatist Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) claimed responsibility for the attack in separate statements that cited "great huma»»»
French coach Didier Deschamps retires after 14 years
France's World Cup campaign ended in disappointment as Didier Deschamps brought his 14-year tenure as the national team's longest-serving manager to a close. The defeat marked the end of a remarkable era, during which he led Les Bleus to major international success. Morgan Aire looks back at his di»»»
A week in France - French MPs approve assisted-dying law
On Wednesday, French lawmakers approved a bill that will create a legal right to assisted dying for adults with incurable illnesses. The issue has been championed by President Emmanuel Macron but has been highly contentious politically. Still - opinion polls suggest that a large majority of t»»»
Russia launches deadly strikes on Kyiv after attack on Moscow warehouses
Russia launched strikes at Kyiv on Sunday that killed one person and wounded several one day after a deadly Ukrainian drone attack hit e-commerce warehouses near Moscow. Russia fired two dozen ballistic missiles at Kyiv overnight on Sunday, killing one person and wounding 16, in an ever-escalating »»»
Wildfire scorches 12,000 hectares in central Spain's Guadalajara province
Spain is facing yet another raging wildfire as local authorities said on Sunday that a blaze north of Madrid had burned more than 12,000 hectares and forced hundreds of people to evacuate. Earlier this month one of the country's deadliest ever wildfires broke out in the south and firefighters »»»
Millions in Kyiv 'didn't have time to seek shelter' ahead of Russian attack
One person was killed and eight others injured in an overnight Russian attack on Kyiv that included ballistic missiles, local authorities said on Sunday. FRANCE 24's Emmanuel Chaze reports from »»»
Zendaya flaunts Zuhair Murad look on ‘The Odyssey’ press tour
DUBAI: Zendaya has once again turned a film’s press tour into a fashion event, with one standout look putting Arab design firmly in the spotlight. Ahead of the release of “The Odyssey,” the actor made an appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” wearing a striking gold creation by Leba»»»
Radical misogynist influencer Andrew Tate and brother arrested in Miami
US marshals Saturday arrested Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan in Miami on undisclosed charges. British authorities have been pushing for the extradition of the Tate brothers who face 59 charges in the UK including rape, sex trafficking, assault, tax evasion and money laundering. »»»
Bulgarian Foreign Minister: Crimea Is Legally Ukrainian, But Under Russian Control
Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova insisted that Bulgaria assumed no new obligations by taking part in the July 15 meeting in Kyiv and dismissed claims that the country had signed the so-called Kyiv Declaration. Speaking on Nova TV, she described the document as part of an informal political f»»»
Over 108,000 Foreign Workers Enter Bulgaria’s Labor Market Amid Record Low UnemploymentOpinions
Bulgaria has increasingly turned to foreign workers as businesses struggle to find enough employees, with more than 108,000 citizens from countries outside the European Union gaining access to the labor market over the past three years, Labor and Social Policy Minister Natalia Efremova said. The de»»»
Canada wildfires affect air quality before World Cup final
More than 800 wildfires are burning across Canada, including around 190 in northern Ontario, with the surge in fires largely attributed to climate change. Thick smoke has created hazardous air quality across parts of Canada and several US states, including Minnesota, Illinois, Michigan and New York»»»
Trump-Friendly Newsmax Eyes Bulgarian Expansion Amid Nova TV Sale Speculation
Newsmax, the US cable news network that describes itself as the country’s fourth-largest cable news channel and is available in more than 100 countries, is preparing to expand its brand into Bulgaria, Mediapool reports. The company has announced that it has reached agreements for further internatio»»»
Bulgaria's Kyiv Declaration Controversy: Signed or Simply Supported?
Confusion erupted after the fifth Ukraine-Southeast Europe Summit in Kyiv on July 15, with claims circulating on social media that Bulgarian Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova had signed the so-called Kyiv Declaration, thereby committing Bulgaria more deeply to support for Ukraine and the Coalition»»»
Spotlight - What's at stake for the EU's carbon market blueprint
The European Commission has confirmed it will allow EU industries to continue emitting planet-warming CO₂ gases well into the 2040s. This comes as part of an overhaul of the bloc's Emissions Trading System. For the first time, starting in 2036, the Commission will give industry the option of buying»»»
Khamenei threatens ‘unforgettable lessons’, two US troops killed in Iranian attack
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Majotaba Khamenei on Saturday vowed to teach the US "unforgettable lessons" in a written message broadcast on state TV. US Central Command reported its first troop deaths due to Iranian fire when two service members were killed and an another missing in an attack on»»»
Gulf council blasts "war crimes" by Iran
The United States and Iran continued exchanging strikes on Saturday as tensions over control of the Strait of Hormuz escalated. US Central Command carried out a seventh consecutive night of attacks, targeting military infrastructure and maritime capabilities, while Iran launched strikes on neighbou»»»
UK economy rebounds as nation awaits new PM
LONDON — Britain's economy rebounded slightly in May with growth of 0.1 per cent thanks to expansion in the services sector, official data showed last week as Britain awaits a new prime minister.Gross domestic product (GDP) had contracted by 0.1 per cent in April as the US-Iran war pushed up inflat»»»
Tech share selloff rolls on, oil prices jump on Mideast clashes
NEW YORK — Wall Street stocks fell decisively last week, joining most global markets in retreating on continued weakness in artificial intelligence shares and rebounding oil prices.Tech shares have been under pressure in recent days on questions about their lofty valuations following Nasdaq's surge»»»
Jordan renews citizenship-by-investment scheme to attract higher-value investments — minister
AMMAN — Minister of Investment Tareq Abu Ghazaleh said that recent amendments to the country's citizenship- and residency-by-investment programme mark a “significant” shift towards attracting higher-quality investments that generate tangible economic benefits, create jobs, and support balanced deve»»»
Worker remittances to Kingdom rises 13% during first four months, totalling around $1.6 billion — JBA
AMMAN — The Jordanian Businessmen Association (JBA) held the Ninth Conference of Jordanian Businessmen and Investors Abroad on Saturday under the theme of "Investment Opportunities with a Global Vision."Major structural revisions to the national investment framework designed to fast-track the entry»»»
German conservative parliamentary leader resigns over surrogate baby controversy
Jens Spahn, the parliamentary head of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's CDU faction, resigned on Saturday amid mounting pressure over his use of a surrogate mother in the US despite a surrogacy ban in Germany. Spahn and his husband welcomed the child earlier this week, sparking criticism»»»
Power, desalination plants hit in Kuwait
The United States and Iran continued exchanging strikes on Saturday as tensions over control of the Strait of Hormuz escalated. US Central Command carried out a seventh consecutive night of attacks, targeting military infrastructure and maritime capabilities, while Iran launched strikes on neighbou»»»
US strikes hit Iran for seventh night
Kuwait said on Saturday that an Iranian attack hit a water and electricity plant one day after a similar strike damaged another plant. Tehran launched attacks on US military sites hosted by several of its Gulf neighbours in response to a seventh night of US strikes on Iran overnight on Friday. Morg»»»
US May Pursue Magnitsky Sanctions Evasion Cases, Bulgaria's Interior Minister SaysOpinions
Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev said discussions with officials from the US Department of Justice focused on the possibility of launching federal prosecutions against individuals accused of circumventing sanctions imposed under the Global Magnitsky Act, as well as those suspected of helping sanc»»»
Up to 6,500 Euros per Migrant: Police Dismantle Bulgaria Transit Smuggling NetworkOpinions
Seven people have been arrested following a coordinated international operation targeting an organized criminal network accused of smuggling migrants through Bulgaria to other European Union countries. The action involved law enforcement authorities from Bulgaria, Greece, Romania and the Netherland»»»
Bulgaria and Ukraine Near Gas Transit DealOpinions
Bulgaria and Ukraine are close to signing an agreement on natural gas transit, according to Petar Vitanov, chairman of the Progressive Bulgaria parliamentary group. Speaking on BNT's Panorama program, Vitanov said the deal is being prepared between the two countries' state gas companies, Bulgargaz »»»
SSIF says assets rose to JD19.7bn in first half of 2026
AMMAN — The Social Security Investment Fund (SSIF) increased its assets to approximately JD19.7 billion by the end of June 2026, up from JD18.7 billion at the end of 2025, marking growth of JD1 billion, or 5.4 per cent, during the first six months of the year.The fund said in a statement that the i»»»
Aqaba truck traffic rises 23% under new management system - ASEZA
AMMAN — Truck movement to and from the Aqaba Special Economic Zone increased by 23 per cent during the first four months of a new truck entry and exit management system, the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) said on Sunday.The system, operated by Maqta Ayla, recorded approximately 445,0»»»
ACT reports ‘strong’ first-half performance as transit cargo surges 177%
AMMAN — Aqaba Container Terminal (ACT) has reported “strong” operational and commercial performance during the first half of 2026, driven by growth in cargo volumes, continued infrastructure investments, high safety standards, and progress toward its sustainability and community development goals.I»»»
US Democrats divided over support for Israel ahead of midterm elections
US House Democrats were divided into a near-even split by a vote this week over whether to cut military aid to Israel, which was defeated through almost total opposition from the Republican party. Ahead of November's midterm elections, the vote reflects a sharp erosion in support for Israel among l»»»
Ethiopia: New refugee support centre opens in Addis Ababa
The UN refugee agency and the Ethiopian government have opened a new support centre in Addis Ababa to provide refugees with free legal advice and access to essential services. The initiative aims to help refugees navigate bureaucracy, obtain vital documents and improve their chances of finding work»»»
The Observers - Project 'Afrika’: Inside Russia's propaganda machine
After a leak of confidential documents revealed how Russian agents have been placing hundreds of articles in French-speaking media outlets in West and Central Africa, FRANCE 24 travelled to Dakar, Senegal, to investigate this secret operation. "When you read articles like this, you definitely get t»»»
Ethiopian Drill explodes on the streets of Addis Ababa
Last year, the aggressive genre of Drill could only be heard on social media in Ethiopia. But over the last few months the fast-paced, often matched with violent lyrics, style of hip hop has exploded on the streets of Addis Ababa, taking over mainstream bars and nightclubs. For some, its rapid popu»»»
France: 2,000 hectares lost in forest fires
France has been battling a series of devastating wildfires following record-breaking heatwaves, with the government saying the country has not experienced so many fire outbreaks since World War II. One of the largest blazes has scorched thousands of hectares in the historic Fontainebleau forest, so»»»
Indian activist on hunger strike for 20 days taken to hospital
Police in India have forcibly taken an activist to hospital after a 20-day hunger strike protesting the country's examination system. The case has drawn widespread attention and renewed debate over education reforms and the handling of public protests. France 24 correspondent Navodita Kumari report»»»
Japan changes imperial succession law but keeps ban on female emperor
Japan's parliament on Friday enacted changes to imperial succession rules, allowing male distant relatives to rejoin the imperial family and women to retain royal status after marrying commoners. The legislation, however, keeps the ban on female emperors despite opinion polls showing broad public s»»»
Ukrainian drone attack killed several in Moscow logistics centre, Russia say
Overnight Ukrainian drone attacks on two sprawling warehouses in Russia killed eight people and wounded more than 60 others, local officials said Saturday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the strikes hit “significant logistical facilities” in Russia that were used to produce drones and »»»