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.
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European Union prepares new sanctions on Russia over Ukraine war
02 May 2025
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said Thursday, after a meeting with his US counterpart in Washington DC, that European countries are preparing a new round of sanctions against Russia. He described Vladimir Putin as the "sole obstacle" to peace in Ukraine.
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UK local elections: Main political parties brace for losses as hard right rises
02 May 2025
The two main political parties in the UK are anxiously awaiting the results of local elections as counting begins. Both Labour and the main opposition Conservative Party are bracing for losses. The midterm poll is the first major test of opinion for Sir Keir Starmer’s government and will show whether Nigel Farage and Reform have grown their support since last summer.
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'All improvements in working practices have been won by working people getting together'
01 May 2025
The general secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation has spoken to FRANCE 24 about the importance of May Day, or International Workers' Day. Esther Lynch is in Paris to join the demonstrations here as she says the day is about celebrating how workers' friendship with each other – and their solidarity and unity – have won the rights that have been gained. Her organisation warns, though, that Europe should do more to protect jobs, and ensure it is not bullied out of its social model. She spoke to us in Perspective.
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What Ukraine's mineral deal with the US means for the war against Russia
01 May 2025
The US and Ukraine on Wednesday signed a resource-sharing deal granting Washington access to critical minerals. On Thursday, President Zelensky described the pact as “truly equal” and said it could pave the way for a reconstruction fund.
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Reign of terror: Russia detains and tortures thousands of Ukrainian civilians
01 May 2025
Since 2014, the regimes installed by Russia and its local collaborators in occupied regions of Ukraine have been arbitrarily detaining civilians on a massive scale. The Ukrainian government puts the number of those currently in detention at over 16,000. Journalists, activists, local politicians: just about anyone the occupation authorities take a dislike to is in danger of being taken prisoner. 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.
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Serbian students, unions join forces six months into mass protest campaign
01 May 2025
Serbia's unions have called on workers to join a student-led rally on Thursday, throwing their weight behind a mass movement that has staged six months of protests over corruption in the wake of a deadly roof collapse at a train station in Novi Sad.
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Vladyslav Greziev warns 'never trust Russians': 'They don't want peace deals, nor an end to the war'
01 May 2025
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.
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Barcelona, Inter Milan trade blows in six-goal Champions League semi-final classic
01 May 2025
Barcelona and Inter Milan drew 3-3 in a thrilling Champions League semi-final first leg on Wednesday, with 16-year-old Lamine Yamal playing a star role. Inter led 2-0 after Marcus Thuram and Denzel Dumfries struck, but Yamal’s brilliant solo goal sparked Barca’s comeback in the end-to-end encounter.
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Ukraine, US sign minerals deal, marking shift from military to economic support
01 May 2025
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.
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Elon Musk: The voice of the far right in Europe?
30 April 2025
The FRANCE 24 Observers, in collaboration with Belgium's RTBF and France Info, has used data analysis techniques to categorise more than 15,000 of Elon Musk's posts on X. This edition sheds light on how Musk became a spokesperson for European far-right rhetoric on X, by posting hundreds of messages denigrating European values and pushing the visibility of far-right influencers and politicians in Europe. We tell you more in this edition of Truth or Fake.
