Wednesday, 16 September 2026
380 articles · times in UTC
France 24 · 02:14
Middle East live: Saudi Arabia accuses Houthi rebels of launching a drone strike on Mecca ↗Saudi Arabia's air defences claim to have intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone south of Mecca on Tuesday, which the Iran-aligned rebels denied. Meanwhile, several explosions were heard on the island of Qeshm, near the Strait of Hormuz. Follow our liveblog for the latest updates.
France 24 · 03:10
New French ambassador to US cleared to take up post after diplomatic spat ↗France's incoming ambassador to the US has been cleared to take up his post after Paris apologised for criticism of Washington over a UN vote. Aurelien Lechevallier, chosen by President Emmanuel Macron to replace Laurent Bili, is expected to arrive in Washington in the coming weeks following the diplomatic dispute.
France 24 · 04:47
Media helicopter crashes in LA while covering bus collision, killing three ↗A news helicopter covering a deadly bus crash in the Los Angeles neighbourhood of Chatsworth came down on Tuesday, killing three people, including a pedestrian.
France 24 · 05:20
Live: EU chief Ursula von der Leyen gives State of the Union address ↗EU chief Ursula von der Leyen is set to deliver the annual State of the Union address before the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Wednesday, at a time when the European Union is being hit by multiple crises, including migration, AI, climate change and Russia’s war on Ukraine. Watch live on FRANCE 24 at 9am Paris…
France 24 · 05:28
Football: Kylian Mbappé and Real Madrid defeat Elche despite late scare ↗Real Madrid narrowly defeated Elche (3-2) in Matchday 6 of La Liga. Kylian Mbappé scored a goal and provided an assist.
France 24 · 05:54
Hong Kong unveils first five-year plan to cement position as global financial hub ↗Hong Kong leader John Lee on Wednesday unveiled the city's first five-year plan to boost its global position as a financial hub. The plan serves as a social and economic roadmap detailing the city-state's strategic priorities, including an aim to expand technology ties with mainland China.
France 24 · 06:51
French ex-culture minister Rachida Dati goes on trial in Carlos Ghosn graft case ↗France's former culture minister Rachida Dati goes on trial at a Paris court Wednesday in a corruption case involving charges of lobbying for Renault-Nissan when she was a European parliament member. The high-profile case centres on a contract signed in October 2009 between Dati and fugitive businessman Carlos Ghosn…
France 24 · 06:54
Ed Sheeran's tour in trouble after Pro-Palestine acts drop out ↗More artists scheduled to participate in Ed Sheeran’s tour of North and South America have quit in solidarity with the rapper Macklemore, who was dropped for making pro-Palestinian comments onstage. Among them are Irish acts Rowe and Lukas Graham, as well as Billie Eilish’s brother, Finneas.
France 24 · 07:37
Russian drone attack on bus kills five in Ukraine's southeast ↗Five people were killed and at least seven more were injured in a Russian drone attack on a passenger bus near the frontline in Ukraine's southeast on Wednesday, the regional governor said.
France 24 · 08:42
Los Angeles: News helicopter crashes, killing three ↗An NBC News helicopter covering a deadly bus collision crashed in Los Angeles on Tuesday, killing three people and sending two others to hospital. Aerial footage showed the wreckage engulfed in flames near a storage facility, with firefighters extinguishing fires that spread to vehicles and storage containers.
France 24 · 09:13
US announces charges against five alleged agents for Russia over assassination plots ↗The US Department of Justice announced on Tuesday charges against five alleged Russian intelligence agents accused of recruiting a global network to conspire attacks and carry out assassinations by order of the Kremlin. The suspects remain at large.
France 24 · 09:30
Amnesty says Iran committed 'crimes against humanity' in 2022 protests crackdown ↗In a report released Wednesday, Amnesty International said Iranian authorities committed “crimes against humanity” during the violent crackdown on the 2022 protests known as the movement “Woman, Life, Freedom” that was sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini.
France 24 · 09:33
Trump set to sell 40,000 one-ton bombs to Israel ↗PRESS REVIEW – Wednesday, 16 September: The Washington Post reports that ICE is facing the fallout of their massive and 'reckless' hiring campaigns. Next, the Trump administration is planning to sell 2.8 billion dollars' worth of bombs to Israel. Also, Ed Sheeran's tour suffers another blow as his opening acts as we…
France 24 · 10:07
REPLAY - Ursula von der Leyen: Full State of the Union address ↗European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed banning children under 13 from accessing social media, online games and chatbots during her annual State of the European Union speech in Strasbourg on Wednesday. She also proposed closer EU-Canada ties, including "associate member" status for Canada.
France 24 · 10:22
EU – Canada: Standing ovation for Mark Carney ↗Canadian Prime Minister was given a standing ovation at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France on Wednesday as EU chief Ursula von der Leyen raised the prospect of Canada becoming the 27-nation bloc's first “associate member”. "We want to bring the relationship with Canada to the highest level possible," von…
France 24 · 10:41
Ursula von der Leyen: EU chief pitches 'associate member' status for Canada ↗EU chief Ursula von der Leyen raised the prospect Wednesday of Canada becoming the 27-nation bloc's first 'associate member', as she pitched closer cooperation on tech, defence and energy to Canadian leader Mark Carney.
France 24 · 10:42
Middle East: Iran war exposes limits of US power ↗Saudi Arabia’s crown prince sought backing Tuesday from the president of Egypt, his ally across the Red Sea, as the kingdom faces increased attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on Saudi shipping and infrastructure that have helped drive a surge in global oil prices. France 24's Rochelle Ferguson Bouyahi tells us more.
France 24 · 10:46
Ed Sheeran's tour in trouble after opening acts drop out in solidarity with rapper Macklemore ↗Ed Sheeran’s tour of North and South America was plunged into chaos Tuesday when four of his supporting acts abruptly quit in solidarity with the rapper Macklemore, who was dropped for making pro-Palestinian comments onstage.
France 24 · 11:54
At least 60 killed in gold mine collapse in remote area of Sudan ↗A gold mine collapse on Wednesday killed at least 67 people in a remote area in Sudan, a medical group and survivors reported. The destruction occurred at the al-Zara gold mine, located in West Kordofan province – an area under the control of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, who have been at war with the count…
France 24 · 12:55
Former Kosovo president sentenced to 25 years for war crimes ↗Former Kosovo President Hashim Thaci was found guilty of war crimes committed as part of the Kosovo Liberation Army including murder, torture and illegal arrests by a tribunal in The Hague on Wednesday. Thaci was sentenced to 25 years in prison alongside fellow former KLA figures who were also found guilty and sente…
France 24 · 13:01
How is Democracy Doing? ↗For the UN's International Day of Democracy we ask: “how is democracy doing in France and globally?” We also take a look at Le Monde's Ipsos poll on the presidential election as well as studies on the effect US politics is having on democracy globally. Finally, we will break down a common misperception that backslid…
France 24 · 13:09
Von der Leyen gives state of the EU speech with Mark Carney in the room and AI on the agenda ↗European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is delivering a major state of the European Union speech on Wednesday setting out her priorities for the next year and her vision for tackling the challenges faced by the world’s biggest trading bloc. France 24's Armen Georgian tells us more.
France 24 · 13:32
Rivals cry foul as French oil giant TotalEnergies keeps gas prices capped below national average ↗French motorists are flocking to gas stations operated by TotalEnergies, where gasoline prices are capped, but its rivals are accusing the oil giant of unfair competition with the government's support.
France 24 · 13:32
TotalEnergies pumps up controversy in France with cut-price gas ↗French motorists are clogging TotalEnergies service stations to fill up with discount gasoline but its rivals are crying foul, accusing the energy giant of distorting competition with the encouragement of the government.
France 24 · 14:23
Ed Sheeran: All supporting acts quit tour over Macklemore Palestine controversy ↗Ed Sheeran’s US tour has been plunged into chaos after all four supporting acts withdrew on Tuesday in solidarity with US rapper Macklemore, who had earlier been dropped from the tour after making comments in support of Palestine. Irish acts Aaron Rowe and Beoga, the Danish band Lukas Graham and American singer Finn…
France 24 · 14:55
Von der Leyen pitches 'associate member' status for Canada: What does it mean for EU-US ties? ↗European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday she wanted to open the door for Canada to become the European Union's first "associate member". Earlier this week, Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney — who was in Strasbourg to listen to von der Leyen's annual State of the Union address — said Ca…
France 24 · 14:55
Emergency doctor on the challenges of caring for civilians in conflict zones ↗For humanitarian doctors and healthcare workers operating in active conflict zones, the challenges are seemingly endless: from so-called "double tap" strikes that put emergency workers at risk, to roadblocks, evacuation orders and even the positioning of humanitarian organisations in the political debate. Pierre Cat…
France 24 · 14:57
Turkey jails 8 LGBTQ+ activists pending trial as part of sweeping investigation ↗Eight members of Turkish LGBTQ+ rights group Kaos GL were jailed pending trial on Tuesday as part of a national operation the government says is protecting family values and children, but which rights groups say targets fundamental rights.
France 24 · 15:00
More than 100,000 flee fighting in Yemen: UN ↗Flaring fighting between government forces and Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen has displaced more than 100,000 people inside the country, while thousands more have fled abroad, the United Nations said Tuesday.
France 24 · 15:00
‘Gut-wrenching pain’: First conviction in French school sex abuse scandal fails to quell parents’ anger ↗A Paris court on Tuesday sentenced a former school aide to one year of house arrest with an ankle tag for sexually abusing nine children – the first conviction since a nationwide scandal erupted over abuse in France's childcare system. Nearly 200 similar cases are under investigation in Paris alone, with parents and…
France 24 · 15:03
Countries move to ban social media for children ↗The European Union unveiled proposals on Wednesday to ban social media for children under 13, as a growing number of countries look to restrict children's access to the platforms following a global backlash.
France 24 · 15:07
Kennedy Center will close for renovations after judge blocks returning Trump's name to building ↗The Trump-aligned Kennedy Center board voted Tuesday to close most of the iconic performing arts venue just hours after a federal judge blocked the institution from returning President Donald Trump's name to the building.
France 24 · 15:09
French ex-minister Dati goes on trial in Renault-Nissan corruption case ↗France's ex-culture minister Rachida Dati appeared in court Wednesday on corruption charges linked to dealings with the Renault-Nissan group, just months after her bruising defeat in the Paris mayoral race.
France 24 · 15:11
Brazil's Supreme Court clashes over handling of probe involving judge ↗Brazil's Supreme Court engaged in a heated, hours-long debate Tuesday over how to handle a potential probe into one of its top judges, in an unprecedented public showdown that has eclipsed a presidential election campaign.
France 24 · 15:13
EU opens door for Canada to become first 'associate member' ↗European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday she wanted to open the door for Canada to become the European Union's first "associate member". France 24's Douglas Herbert tells us more.
France 24 · 15:18
Alarm over AI grows as divided US Congress struggles to act ↗The US Congress returned from recess Monday facing urgent warnings that artificial intelligence could spin dangerously out of control -- and little agreement over whether, or how, Washington should intervene.
France 24 · 15:19
Sanders, Bannon warn of AI dangers in rare US left-right alignment ↗Left-wing US Senator Bernie Sanders and Steve Bannon, a former adviser to President Donald Trump, warned against the dangers of artificial intelligence and its promoters on Tuesday, a sign that growing AI concern is scrambling political lines. we discuss that with our guest Bernard Benhamou, secretary general, Insti…
France 24 · 15:19
In conversation with artist Nora Chipaumire ↗Between dance, installation work, music making and more, artist Nora Chipaumire brings her ideas to Paris, hosted by the Résidence Tallard. Chipaumire is also leading performances and workshops at the Festival d'Automne, a contemporary arts festival in the French capital. At the heart of her work, she tells FRANCE 2…
France 24 · 15:29
WHO sees 'encouraging signs' in DR Congo Ebola response but says outbreak 'far from over' ↗The World Health Organization said Wednesday that the fight against the Ebola outbreak in DR Congo was showing “encouraging signs" but that the epidemic was "far from over". More than 7,000 cases have been reported across seven provinces as of September 11.
France 24 · 15:29
Marie-Antoinette: France’s last queen and first influencer? ↗This year, several French landmarks are paying tribute to France’s last queen, Marie-Antoinette. Despite her public execution taking place more than 230 years ago, the monarch continues to fascinate both at home and abroad. Our reporters dive into the reasons behind the lasting interest and explore why she could be…
France 24 · 15:31
DR Congo: Protests against plan to change the constitution ↗In DR Congo, the C64 opposition coalition took to the streets of Kinshasa as the country's parliament returned for a new session. Its members have been opposing a proposed constitutional change backed by the ruling majority for several months. Report by Aurélie Bazzara-Kibangula.
France 24 · 15:36
Kenya: First World Athletics Championships to be held in Africa ↗For the first time, the World Athletics Championships will be held on the African continent, with Kenya set to host the event in 2029. World Athletics President Sebastian Coe described Kenya's bid as "convincing and moving". Our Nairobi correspondent Bastien Renouil has the details.
France 24 · 15:37
Russia-Africa ties: Moscow's growing influence in Africa ↗The third Russia-Africa Summit is due to bring African leaders to Moscow at the end of October, as ties between Russia and the continent continue to grow. The Kremlin has sought to expand its influence in Africa amid its isolation from the US and Europe, while African governments have pursued closer economic, diplom…
France 24 · 15:41
EU: An unprecedented offer to Canada ↗European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday proposed making Canada the European Union's first associate member, a striking overture as U.S. President Donald Trump's threats drive Ottawa closer to Europe. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney spoke of a "unique alliance with the EU".
France 24 · 15:45
Trump administration plans to send powerful bombs to Israel in $2.8 billion weapons sale ↗The Trump administration is planning to deliver powerful 2,000-pound bombs to Israel as part of an upcoming arms deal, weapons that prompted such concerns about the possibility of mass casualties in Gaza that the Biden administration paused their delivery two years ago. France 24's Philip Turle tells us more.
France 24 · 16:03
Ivorian footballer Malick Yalcouyé falsely accused of lying about his age ↗During a Premier League match between Chelsea and Brighton, social media users started spreading rumours that 20-year-old Ivorian footballer Malick Yalcouyé is older than he claims to be. The rumours gained such proportion that the youth club where he trained decided to post photos of Yalcouyé throughout the years.…
France 24 · 16:17
Russian drone strike on a passenger bus in Ukraine kills 5 people and wounds at least 7 others ↗A Russian drone struck a passenger bus in southern Ukraine early Wednesday, killing five people and wounding at least seven. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the attack, the latest in a series of Russian strikes on civilian transportation, as an “atrocity.” France 24's Gulliver Cragg tells us more.
France 24 · 17:04
Monica Bellucci in a Chilling French Home-Invasion Thriller ↗On this week’s Arts 24, Manon Kerjean from Lost in Frenchlation joins Charlotte Lam to take a closer look at three French films of the moment: From a terrifying birthday party to a relationship that slowly turns toxic, this month’s French cinema brings plenty of tension, drama and dark humour.
France 24 · 18:19
The 28th state? Carney's Canada draws closer to European Union ↗With a US president who talks of making Canada the 51st state, its leader in Europe where it’s not quite the EU's 28th state on offer, but something the president of the European Commission is calling ‘associate membership’. We’ll ask what that means, how it differs from the close status afforded to the likes of Ice…
France 24 · 18:24
Washington set to approve $2.8 bn arms package for Israel ↗The US federal government is on track to approve a $2.8 billion arms package for Israel, US media reported Tuesday, with the sale of 40,000 one-ton bombs among the largest munitions packages sold in recent years. The Washington Post said the package -- funded with US taxpayer dollars -- featured some of the most des…
France 24 · 19:13
Saudi Arabia accuses Houthis of targeting Mecca, warns of 'red line' ↗Saudi Arabia accused Yemen's Houthis on Wednesday of launching a "cowardly" attack targeting Islam's holy city of Mecca, sparking outrage across the Muslim world. The Houthis swiftly rejected as a "lie" Riyadh's statement that it had shot down a drone heading towards Mecca, which attracts millions of pilgrims each y…
France 24 · 19:21
Sweden's centre-left opposition wins election, SVT says ↗Sweden's centre-left opposition has defeated the incumbent right-wing governing bloc by the slimmest of margins, public broadcaster SVT said on Wednesday, after 99% of the votes in Sunday's parliamentary election had been counted. FRANCE 24's Paul Rhys reports.
France 24 · 19:39
LGBTQ 'a threat to Erdogan's ideal of a strong, masculine state', expert says ↗Turkish courts have jailed more LGBTQ activists and supporters, raising to 62 the number remanded in custody following a weekend crackdown, a legal rights group said on Wednesday. Speaking with FRANCE 24's Mark Owen, Koen Slootmaeckers, Reader in International Politics at City St George's, University of London, says…
France 24 · 19:47
Putin urges Russians to vote in parliamentary election as show of support for Ukraine war ↗Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday described voter turnout in the upcoming parliamentary election as a barometer of public support for Russia’s war against Ukraine and urged voters to go to the polls. It will be Russia's first parliamentary election since the Kremlin launched its offensive in February 2022.
France 24 · 20:08
Saudi Arabia accuses Houthis of targeting Mecca, calls it a 'red line' ↗Saudi Arabia accused Yemen’s Houthis on Wednesday of launching an attack on the holy city of Mecca, which the Iran-backed rebels denied. Saudi Arabia, a US ally which has been the target of large-scale Houthi strikes since early September, declared Mecca a “red line” as it slid deeper into the new front of the Iran…
France 24 · 20:09
Amnesty says Iran committed 'crimes against humanity' in protests crackdown ↗Iranian authorities committed crimes against humanity in the crackdown on 2022 protests that left hundreds dead, Amnesty International said Wednesday, adding Tehran's suppression of new demonstrations this year bore the "same hallmarks" but on an even wider scale. FRANCE 24's Mark Owen speaks with Amnesty Internatio…
France 24 · 20:42
Encouraging signs in DR Congo Ebola fight ↗In tonight's edition, signs of a welcome slowdown in DR Congo's Ebola outbreak. Also, about 20,000 Ethiopian university students in the northern region of Tigray will be relocated to other campuses across the country. And in northern Senegal, scientists are using fish to keep their food stoicks and communtites healthy.
France 24 · 21:31
Ed Sheeran's tour in trouble after opening acts drop out in solidarity with rapper Macklemore ↗Ed Sheeran's tour of North and South America has been roiled by the decision this week to drop Macklemore as an opener because of the rapper's onstage pro-Palestinian comments. Since then, all of Sheeran's other supporting acts have dropped out, including a group that plays with Sheeran during part of the show. FRAN…
France 24 · 21:33
Ed Sheeran's tour in trouble after opening acts drop out in solidarity with rapper Macklemore ↗Ed Sheeran's tour of North and South America has been roiled by the decision this week to drop Macklemore as an opener because of the rapper's onstage pro-Palestinian comments. Since then, all of Sheeran's other supporting acts have dropped out, including a group that plays with Sheeran during part of the show. FRAN…
France 24 · 21:38
US Federal Reserve defies Trump with interest rate hike ↗The US Federal Reserve has raised its key interest rates for the first time in three years, as it seeks to bring down high inflation. The policy decision sets up a potential confrontation between Chairman Kevin Warsh and President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly called on the central bank to cut interest rates. Als…
France 24 · 22:37
US House holds billionaire Epstein associate Leon Black in contempt of Congress ↗The US House of Representatives on Wednesday held billionaire investor Leon Black in contempt of Congress for defying two subpoenas in its investigation into sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The measure passed by unanimous consent and will be referred to the Justice Department, which will decide whether to pursue crimi…