FRANCE 24 explores events across Europe, including in the 27 member states of the European Union and the United Kingdom. Follow our on-the-ground reports, interviews and analyses of the events affecting social and political life on the Continent and Europe’s role in the world.https://www.france24.com/en/europe/Thu, 15 May 2025 02:43:01 GMTEuropehttps://www.france24.com/en/europe/20250514-eu-unveils-new-sanctions-on-russia-targeting-shadow-oil-fleet-and-cyberattackers The EU agreed a new package of sanctions on Russia on Wednesday, including blacklisting some 200 oil tankers used to circumvent curbs on Russian oil exports and targeting individuals over cyberattacks, human rights abuses and sabotage in Europe. ce8ef666-30a0-11f0-8369-005056bf762bWed, 14 May 2025 09:06:28 GMT© Yamil Lage, AFPFRANCE 24Europehttps://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250514-france-summons-cryptocurrency-businesses-after-kidnappings France’s interior minister will meet with crypto professionals Friday to address security concerns after a string of attempted kidnappings or kidnappings linked to the cryptocurrency industry. The invite comes a day after masked men tried to snatch the daughter and grandson of a French cryptocurrency entrepreneur from a street in Paris. a135e802-309e-11f0-bc9d-005056a97652Wed, 14 May 2025 08:37:10 GMT© Giuseppe Cacae, AFPFRANCE 24Europehttps://www.france24.com/en/europe/20250514-french-pm-bayrou-to-testify-in-catholic-school-sex-abuse-scandal French Prime Minister François Bayrou will take questions on Wednesday from a parliamentary committee investigating claims of decades of abuse at a Catholic school in southwest France. Critics claim that, as education minister in the 1990s, Bayrou knew about widespread physical and sexual abuse at the school, which several of his children attended. d8063aac-309a-11f0-ac20-005056bf762bWed, 14 May 2025 08:26:47 GMT© Ludovic Marin, AFPFRANCE 24Europehttps://www.france24.com/en/europe/20250514-red-meat-cars-french-men-carbon-footprint-26-higher-than-women-study-finds A study released on Wednesday investigating the gender gap in carbon emissions found that women in France emit 26 percent less carbon than men with their diet and transport choices. Researchers say household structure plays a “key role” in shaping the carbon footprint gap.   5abe4616-3009-11f0-80d8-005056bf762bWed, 14 May 2025 05:25:38 GMT© Anna Kurth, AFPJoanna YORKEuropehttps://www.france24.com/en/europe/20250514-albania-socialist-parliamentary-elections Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama's Socialist Party won Sunday's parliamentary election with 52.1% of votes, securing his fourth term, official results showed Tuesday. The opposition alliance led by rival Sali Berisha trailed with 34.2%, the Central Election Commission said. ae7b31b0-3059-11f0-a3d4-005056bf762bWed, 14 May 2025 00:26:40 GMT© Florion Goga, ReutersFRANCE 24Europehttps://www.france24.com/en/europe/20250513-macron-france-world-war-iii-ukraine President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday that France does not want to spark “World War III” over Ukraine and pledged referendums on major reforms. In a lengthy TV interview, he outlined priorities for his final two years in office before stepping down in 2027 after reaching the constitutional term limit. 152014f2-3047-11f0-a366-005056bf762bTue, 13 May 2025 22:23:05 GMT© Ludovic Marin, AFPFRANCE 24Europehttps://www.france24.com/en/europe/20250513-%F0%9F%8C%9Fthe-bright-side-the-compassionate-mission-to-rescue-london-s-pigeons Volunteers with the London Pigeon Rescue, Jennie Brennan and Jacob Peter, are dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating pigeons affected by a common urban condition known as "stringfoot". Through their continuous efforts, the rescuers are restoring the health of the city's most overlooked birds while raising awareness on how littering affects urban wildlife. 1667af66-3018-11f0-b3ef-005056a97652Tue, 13 May 2025 16:39:04 GMT© Phil Noble, ReutersFRANCE 24https://www.france24.com/en/video/20250513-russia-gives-no-comment-on-zelensky-s-call-for-putin-meeting-in-turkey US President Donald Trump suggested that he could join Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky for possible talks in Turkey on Thursday. Although the Russian president hasn't responded to Zelensky's invitation, Ukrainian soldiers exhausted from the war hope that the meeting would take place. France 2 reports on the ground. 5c937526-2fe4-11f0-98a7-005056bf762bTue, 13 May 2025 10:23:49 GMTFRANCE24https://www.france24.com/en/video/20250513-indian-soldiers-lured-in-by-russia-are-dying-on-the-frontlines-in-ukraine At least 126 Indians have joined the Russian army to fight in the war in Ukraine according to the Indian gouvernement. Many of them have returned since, but at least 12 have been killed and 16 are still missing. Many Indians were reportedly lured by agents with promises of lucrative jobs and roles as helpers, cooks and housekeepers in Russia. However, upon arrival, they were sent directly to war zones. As India pushes for their release, for some families, the calls have already come, too late. Report by Khansa Juned and Lisa Gamonet. 1f76b5e0-2fda-11f0-bc1a-005056bf762bTue, 13 May 2025 09:10:31 GMTFRANCE24Europehttps://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250513-police-raid-conspiracy-theorist-group-kingdom-of-germany German authorities on Tuesday banned the extremist "Kingdom of Germany" group and arrested four of its leading members, including founder Peter Fitzek. Linked to the conspiracy theorist Reichsbuerger movement, the group rejected the state’s legitimacy, issued fake documents, and ran illegal financial operations. Raids were carried out across seven states. 42df569c-2fd8-11f0-ab3f-005056bf762bTue, 13 May 2025 08:57:11 GMT© Odd Andersen, AFPFRANCE 24https://www.france24.com/en/video/20250513-zelensky-to-putin-lets-meet-in-turkey-for-ukraine-russia-talks US President Donald Trump said Monday he was "thinking" about flying to Turkey for possible peace talks between Ukraine and Russia but the Kremlin was silent about whether Vladimir Putin would attend. Story by Eliza Herbert. 152e2a12-2fd7-11f0-85e8-005056a97652Tue, 13 May 2025 08:48:46 GMTFRANCE24Europehttps://www.france24.com/en/europe/20250513-ukraine-russia-drones-ceasefire-calls Russia attacked Ukraine with over 100 Shahed and decoy drones overnight, Kyiv said Monday, after Moscow rejected a 30-day ceasefire but said it would join peace talks without preconditions. The Kremlin did not respond to Zelenskyy’s call for direct talks with Putin in Turkey on Thursday.  cdc9e9ca-2f83-11f0-b444-005056a97652Tue, 13 May 2025 02:27:41 GMT© AFPFRANCE 24Truth or Fakehttps://www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/truth-or-fake/20250512-no-macron-was-not-caught-red-handed-hiding-cocaine-bag-on-train-to-ukraine Conspiracy theorists and Russian propagandists are spreading the false viral claim that French President Emmanuel Macron was caught hiding a bag of cocaine during his train journey to Ukraine. The fake news story has been seen over 75 million times and counting on X. We tell you more in this edition of Truth or Fake. 9e6fb0a8-2f68-11f0-8bb7-005056a97652Mon, 12 May 2025 20:27:36 GMTCatalina MARCHANT DE ABREUhttps://www.france24.com/en/video/20250512-indians-lured-to-war-in-ukraine-by-russia-under-pretense-of-job-opportunities At least 126 Indians have joined the Russian army to fight in the war in Ukraine, according to the Indian government. At least 12 have been killed and 16 are still missing. Many of the affected Indians, most from poor families, were reportedly lured with promises of lucrative jobs and roles as helpers, cooks and housekeepers in Russia. However, upon arrival, they were sent directly to war zones. 480f17da-2f5e-11f0-9a60-005056bf762bMon, 12 May 2025 18:24:02 GMTFRANCE24Down to Earthhttps://www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/down-to-earth/20250512-arctic-foxes-a-comeback-against-the-odds Once on the brink of extinction in Scandinavia, the Arctic fox is slowly returning. Threatened by hunting and climate change, the animals' population had dropped to just a few dozen individuals in the 2000s. Today, thanks to a long-term reintroduction programme, their numbers have grown to 550. Researchers are now hoping to see the Arctic fox population double within the next 25 years. Down to Earth and our France 2 colleagues follow the journey of these snow-white survivors.  b43e6c76-2f31-11f0-89c2-005056a97652Mon, 12 May 2025 13:55:12 GMTJennifer BEN BRAHIMhttps://www.france24.com/en/video/20250512-kremlin-blasts-eu-ultimatums-over-ukraine-ceasefire-pressure The Kremlin on Monday said "ultimatums" to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine were "unacceptable" after EU leaders said Moscow had until midnight Monday to agree to a joint proposal with Kyiv for a 30-day halt to the fighting. For in-depth analysis and a deeper perspective, FRANCE 24's Delano D'Souza welcomes Ambassador Kurt Volker, former US Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations, BGR Group Advisory Board Co-Chair, former US Ambassador to NATO and Distinguished Fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis. 2492ff52-2f35-11f0-bce4-005056bf762bMon, 12 May 2025 13:29:33 GMTFRANCE24Perspectivehttps://www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/perspective/20250512-spanish-conductor-on-how-ukraine-s-cultural-scene-continues-to-thrive-despite-war After more than three years of war in Ukraine, simple cultural pleasures like seeing a comedy show or going to the theatre have become both moments of refuge and an act of resistance for the people of Kyiv. Foreign artists have almost stopped travelling to the country since Russia's full-scale invasion, but one of those who have is Spanish conductor Félix Ardanaz. Speaking on FRANCE 24's Perspective programme, Ardanaz recounted his experience in leading a performance of "Carmen" at the National Opera of Ukraine. He said he was "shocked" to see how people in Kyiv had become used to living in a "permanent state of danger", adding that the musicians who decided to stay in Ukraine to continue the country's cultural scene are "real heroes". c59c7112-2f08-11f0-bdd0-005056bf762bMon, 12 May 2025 10:58:53 GMTCarys GARLANDEuropehttps://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250512-film-legend-bardot-backs-depardieu-ahead-of-sexual-assault-verdict Brigitte Bardot on Monday defended French actor Gérard Depardieu who has been accused of sexual assault in an interview with French channel BFM. The former French actress also defended French actor and director Nicolas Bedos, who was found guilty last year of sexually assaulting two women, adding that "feminism isn't my thing".  a9ef138a-2f1b-11f0-bf87-005056bf762bMon, 12 May 2025 10:27:10 GMT© Julien de Rosa, AFPFRANCE 24Europehttps://www.france24.com/en/europe/20250512-watch-live-pope-leo-xiv-kicks-off-first-week-by-meeting-with-international-press Pope Leo XIV expressed solidarity with imprisoned journalists and affirmed the "precious gift of free speech and the press" on Monday during his first press conference as leader of the world's Roman Catholics. The address was attended by journalists, diplomats and top Vatican officials who gathered to meet with the newly elected pontiff.  5a24abc8-2f0a-11f0-90a9-005056a97652Mon, 12 May 2025 08:42:56 GMT© Alberto Pizzoli, AFPFRANCE 24Europehttps://www.france24.com/en/europe/20250512-live-zelensky-temporary-ceasefire-russia-drones-critical-european-talks-uk Ukraine’s air force said Monday that Russia had launched more than 100 Shahed and decoy drone attacks on its territory overnight despite a ceasefire proposal from the US and European leaders made over the weekend. There was no response from the Kremlin to Volodymyr Zelensky’s challenge for Vladimir Putin to meet him for face-to-face peace talks in Turkey this week. Read our blog to see how the day's events unfolded. 5e9ef67c-2f05-11f0-b831-005056a97652Mon, 12 May 2025 08:32:02 GMT© Genya Savilov, AFPFRANCE 24Europehttps://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250512-%F0%9F%94%B4kurdish-pkk-to-dissolve-ending-armed-struggle-with-turkey-affiliated-news-agency-says The Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militant group on Monday announced the historic decision to dissolve itself, ending 40 years of armed conflict with the Turkish state, the Firat news agency affiliated with the group said on Monday.  083f971c-2ef8-11f0-a1c7-005056a97652Mon, 12 May 2025 06:20:23 GMT© Lefteris Pitarakis, APFRANCE 24Europehttps://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250512-germany-israel-mark-60-years-of-ties-as-gaza-war-casts-shadow Israeli President Issac Herzog visits Germany on Monday to mark 60 years of relations with the country that perpetrated the Holocaust. Herzog's visit comes amid growing support for the far right in Germany in recent years, which has led to a questioning of the country’s “remembrance culture” to atone for Nazi crimes. 633f3b02-2ef5-11f0-88d0-005056a97652Mon, 12 May 2025 05:53:09 GMT© Odd ANDERSEN / AFP/FileFRANCE 24https://www.france24.com/en/video/20250512-zelensky-challenges-putin-to-meet-in-person-for-peace-talks Russia and Ukraine took a significant step towards discussing an end to the Ukraine war Sunday as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he would personally be "waiting for Putin in Turkey" on Thursday. Putin accepted to engage in "direct talks" with Ukraine, but refused Zelensky's request to implement an unconditional ceasefire proposal Ukraine and its allies presented last Friday. ae1d0548-2eda-11f0-8e91-005056bf762bMon, 12 May 2025 02:41:59 GMTFRANCE24Europehttps://www.france24.com/en/europe/20250512-albanians-head-to-the-polls-in-election-set-to-test-eu-ambitions Albanians cast their ballots Sunday to elect either three-time Prime Minister Edi Rama or far-right opposition leader Sali Berisha as Albania's next president to face the country's economic challenges and political corruption. The election, which is set to test the Albania's path to EU citizenship, is being closely monitored. 418dee76-2eb0-11f0-b7f1-005056a97652Mon, 12 May 2025 00:23:57 GMT© Adnan Beci, AFPFRANCE 24Europehttps://www.france24.com/en/europe/20250511-cannes-gears-up-78th-festival-global-tensions-trump-tariff-threat-foreign-films The 78th Cannes Film Festival is set to kick off Tuesday amid growing geopolitical tensions and US President Donald Trump’s proposal to impose 100 percent tariffs on international films, with filmmakers coming from nearly every corner of the globe to showcase their movies. da7a058a-2e7d-11f0-a446-005056a97652Sun, 11 May 2025 15:58:16 GMT© Valery Hache, AFPFRANCE 24Europehttps://www.france24.com/en/europe/20250511-live-war-ukraine-historic-turning-point-erdogan-macron Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday said he “will be waiting” to meet Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin for talks in Turkey as he called for a full ceasefire starting Monday. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan earlier told French President Emmanuel Macron that Ankara was ready to host negotiations to help end the war. Read our liveblog to see how the day's events unfolded. ef37bf3c-2e5d-11f0-9283-005056a97652Sun, 11 May 2025 11:56:54 GMT© Julien de Rosa, AFPFRANCE 24Europehttps://www.france24.com/en/europe/20250511-putin-wants-russia-to-hold-direct-talks-with-ukraine-on-may-15 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday offered to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin “personally” in Turkey for direct talks on May 15 while calling on Moscow to commit to a 30-day ceasefire starting Monday. The offer came after Putin proposed to resume negotiations following renewed pressure from Western leaders for a truce. 30eb2d54-2e24-11f0-99f9-005056bf762bSun, 11 May 2025 05:00:27 GMT© Mandel Ngan, Mikhail Metzel, AFPFRANCE 24Europehttps://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250511-leo-xiv-to-address-faithful-with-st-peter-s-prayer In his first Sunday blessing as the leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV urged world leaders to end war and called for lasting peace in Ukraine and a ceasefire in Gaza.  754d59c6-2e1b-11f0-acc6-005056bf762bSun, 11 May 2025 03:53:10 GMT© Remo Casilli, ReutersFRANCE 24Europehttps://www.france24.com/en/europe/20250510-soviet-era-spacecraft-crashes-back-to-earth-after-53-years-stuck-in-orbit A Soviet-era spacecraft designed to land on Venus crashed to Earth on Saturday, decades after it was launched. The European Union Space Surveillance and Tracking agency confirmed the uncontrolled re-entry of Kosmos 482 but could not pinpoint its precise location.  29ab092c-2dcc-11f0-a1ad-005056bf762bSat, 10 May 2025 18:29:12 GMT© Space X via AFPFRANCE 24https://www.france24.com/en/video/20250510-ukraine-allies-set-ultimatum-to-russia-for-30-day-ceasefire FRANCE 24’s correspondent in Kyiv, Ukraine Emmanuel Chaze said the chances that Russia would accept the ceasefire are “quite slim”. The US initially put forward a proposal of a ceasefire on March 11 and “it had been supported by Ukraine’s allies as well as by Kyiv”. Click on the video below for more. f6ec31ea-2db3-11f0-9c29-005056bf762bSat, 10 May 2025 15:32:20 GMTFRANCE24en