France 24

Washington and Kyiv have signed an agreement to create an investment fund aimed at defraying US costs for supporting Ukraine's defence, based on the extraction of the country's rare earth minerals and other natural resources. We take a closer look at what's in the deal. Also in this edition: French consumer spending drops as shoppers cut back on purchases amid food inflation and a grim economic outlook.

Britain’s two main parties face losses in Thursday’s local elections, signaling the rise of hard-right populists and a potential end to their political dominance. The polls, the first since Keir Starmer became Labour PM and Kemi Badenoch led the Conservatives, may see gains for Reform UK, Liberal Democrats, and Greens, reflecting a shift towards multi-party politics. Morgan Ayre reports.

Massive wildfires broke out near Jerusalem on Wednesday morning, forcing the evacuation of communities and road closures, and prompting Israel’s government to deploy troops to support firefighters. Declaring a “national emergency,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned the blazes could reach the city itself amid worsening weather conditions.

Since the start of the war in Ukraine's eastern Donbas region in 2014, the Russian-installed regime there has been arbitrarily detaining civilians on a massive scale. Journalists, activists, local politicians: just about anyone the occupation authorities take a dislike to is in danger of being taken prisoner and tortured. Some are held for a few days, others for years. FRANCE 24's Gulliver Cragg investigates, with a consortium of media under the "Forbidden Stories" umbrella.

Arnoli Boukary Togo, known as the "African Spaghetti Man," has become a social media sensation. His TikTok account, launched in 2023, has over 7 million followers and his videos have garnered more than 73 million likes, with his hilarious, noodle-filled antics capturing the attention of fans worldwide.

Deadly clashes in Damascus this week between members of Syria’s Druze community and gunmen linked to the national authorities highlight how members of the minority group are increasingly faced with a precarious choice: loyalty to Syria or forming a new alliance with Israel. France24 International Affairs Editor Philip Turle joins us for more.

Israeli firefighting teams battled wildfires near Jerusalem for a second day on Thursday, with police reporting the reopening of several major roads that had been closed.

Fifteen Druze fighters have been killed in an ambush near the Syrian capital, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Thursday, following days of deadly sectarian violence involving members of the Druze minority and Islamist groups linked to the country's transitional authorities.

Polls opened in local elections Thursday tipped to inflict losses on the UK's two main parties and confirm the rise of hard-right populists, portending the splintering of a century-long political duopoly. Our France24 correspondent in London, Benedicte Paviot, tells us more.

May Day is a celebration of workers' rights—but in France, the system has some quirks. For example, florists are legally prohibited from opening, and bakers are not allowed to employ staff on that day, making it harder for those who want to keep selling flowers or cakes.

Pakistan’s information minister said early Wednesday that Islamabad had "credible intelligence" India was planning an imminent military strike, vowing a "decisive response" amid rising tensions over a Kashmir attack. The statement followed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with security chiefs, at which he gave them "complete operational freedom", a government source told AFP. Sarah Jacob, our France24 correspondent in India, tells us the latest.

As far-right parties surge in polls across Europe, analysts warn that internal divisions could pose serious challenges if they gain power. In the UK, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage continues to ride the momentum of Brexit, with polls showing his party rivaling or surpassing Labour. For deeper insight into these dynamics, Oliver Farry welcomes Dr. Ben Williams, Lecturer at the University of Manchester Metropolitan University’s School of Social Sciences.

Massive wildfires near Jerusalem forced evacuations and road closures on Wednesday, prompting Israel to deploy troops as firefighters battled the flames. Prime Minister Netanyahu declared a national emergency, warning the fires could reach the city. On Jerusalem's Independence Day, Noga Tarnopolsky reports, celebrations are absent as the country remains shut down and the air nearly unbreathable.

The US and Ukraine signed a delayed minerals deal, with Ukraine retaining control over its rare earths. Seen as a shift from military to economic support, the accord aims to boost long-term US investment. Treasury Secretary Bessent called it a signal of lasting commitment to Ukraine and warned that Russia’s backers will be barred from reconstruction efforts. France24 correspondent in Washington, Fraser Jackson, tells us more.

The US and Ukraine signed a minerals agreement Wednesday, marking a renewed commitment to Kyiv post-military aid, the Trump administration said. Ukraine secured key terms after lengthy talks, including full sovereignty over its rare earths, which are critical for new technologies and largely untapped. Emily Boyle reports.

Following some initial reluctance, Ukraine has agreed to a minerals deal aimed at attracting long-term U.S. investment, amid efforts by Trump to significantly reduce America’s global security commitments. Gulliver Cragg reports from Kyiv, Ukraine.

The United States and Ukraine have concluded a rare minerals agreement following a two-month delay, which the Trump administration hailed as a renewed expression of support following the abrupt suspension of military aid. Ukrainian officials say the deal secures national control over vital rare earth resources, seen as crucial for emerging technologies. The backdrop is a deep-rooted mistrust of Russia, fueled by a decade of aggression, including the 2014 annexation of Crimea and the ongoing brutal conflict in eastern Ukraine. For further analysis, FRANCE 24’s François Picard welcomes Vladyslav Greziev, CEO of Lobby X, Head of Fund to at Opir.org to equip Ukrainian soldiers and a key voice in Ukrainian civil society.

Activists around the globe kick off May Day demonstrations on Thursday, pushing for better rights for workers and more social justice as they mark International Labour Day. Follow our live coverage for the latest on rallies in France and around the world.

President Donald Trump conceded Wednesday that his tariffs could lead to fewer and more expensive goods for Americans, saying children might "have two dolls instead of 30." Still, he insisted China would bear the greater burden. Amid fresh data showing the U.S. economy contracted in the first quarter, Trump dismissed recession fears and blamed Joe Biden for any economic setbacks. For expert insight, FRANCE 24’s Delano D’Souza welcomes Todd Belt, Professor and Director of the Political Management Program at George Washington University's Graduate School of Political Management (GSPM).

Serbia's trade unions will for the first time join a protest Thursday called by student leaders, six months after the deadly train station tragedy that sparked mass demonstrations against corruption.

South Korean prosecutors have indicted the country's impeached former president Yoon Suk Yeol for abuse of power, adding to his legal woes as he faces trial for orchestrating an insurrection with his botched martial law attempt last December.

Columbia University student Mohsen Mahdawi was released from US immigration custody on Wednesday after a judge ruled he should be free on bail to challenge the Trump administration's efforts to deport him over his participation in pro-Palestinian protests. Speaking outside a courthouse in Vermont, Mahdawi said he was "not afraid" of the US president. 

Tesla’s board contacted executive search firms about a month ago to identify a potential successor for CEO Elon Musk, the Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday, citing sources. The status of the search is unclear. Tesla faces slumping sales and profits, with investors wary of Musk’s role in federal job cuts at DOGE.

Britain’s two main parties face losses in Thursday’s local elections, signaling the rise of hard-right populists and a potential end to their political dominance. The polls, the first since Keir Starmer became Labour PM and Kemi Badenoch led the Conservatives, may see gains for Reform UK, Liberal Democrats, and Greens, reflecting a shift toward multi-party politics.

FRANCE 24's Yinka Oyetade speaks to Thomas Gift, Director of the Centre on US Politics at UCL, about the dismantling of democratic institutions during the first 100 days of Donald Trump's second term. He says that Congress and the courts are forfeiting much of their authority to an imperial presidency.