Author: France 24

Florida plans to scrap vaccine mandates, becoming the first US state to end long-standing requirements protecting schoolchildren and adults from infectious diseases. State Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo announced the move Wednesday, denouncing existing rules as “immoral” intrusions on parental rights that restrict families’ ability to make health decisions.

The European Commission has given final approval to a massive trade deal with South America’s Mercosur bloc, and presented the agreement to member states to sign.  It brings the long-stalled deal a step closer to ratification, as the revised version has put in place various safeguards to protect European farmers, and appease critics like France. 

The 82nd Venice Film Festival got underway with a constellation of stars on its red carpet, as Julia Roberts and Andrew Garfield attended the premiere of “After the Hunt”, directed by Luca Guadagnino. Film critic Emma Jones tells us why she was impressed by Yorgos Lanthimos’s “Bugonia”, starring Emma Stone and Jesse Plemmons. We also discuss the French-made political intrigue “The Wizard of the Kremlin”, with Jude Law playing Vladimir Putin himself. And politics were ever-present at this year’s Mostra, with Venice4Palestine protests and Kaouther Ben Hania’s powerful docu-drama “The Voice of Hind Rajab”, which is set in Gaza.

The world’s biggest academic association of genocide scholars has passed a resolution saying the legal criteria have been met to establish Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. FRANCE 24’s Mark Owen speaks with Timothy Williams, Vice President of the International Association of Genocide Scholars.

Genocide, as defined under international law, is the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group. In the context of the ongoing war in Gaza, this legal definition is being invoked with growing urgency. Joining FRANCE 24’s Eve Irvine to examine the humanitarian and legal implications is Melanie O’Brien, President of the International Association of Genocide Scholars. O’Brien argues that the situation in Gaza meets the key legal criteria for genocide, pointing to widespread and systematic acts such as mass killings, the infliction of serious physical and psychological harm, starvation, denial of access…

Isak became the most expensive player in the history of British soccer after joining Liverpool for a reported 125 million pounds sterling (170 million US dollars) from Newcastle on Monday, ending the summer transfer window’s biggest saga.

In recent days, speculation surrounding President Donald Trump’s health soared on social media. His media absence fuelled rumours about his condition, following public photos showing bruised and swollen body parts. In this episode of Truth or Fake, Vedika Bahl goes through what we know about the President’s health so far, as well as a deep dive into how AI enhancement can actually distort images further.

China has wrapped up a high-profile summit of the Shanghai Coorperation Organisation, where President Xi Jinping sought to present a new world order with the global south leading the way. It also signed a slew of business deals with partners including Russia.  Among them, a new agreement on the long-delayed pipeline project that boosts capacity of Russian gas deliveries to China. Also in this bulletin, Nestlé has fired its CEO over a secret love affair. So are office romances a taboo subject? 

They met on Instagram during lockdown – now they’re roasting each other live on stage. Meet stand-up duo Markus Birdman and Malinda Mukuma, whose comedy show “Algorithm and Blues” brings fearless comedy, personal storytelling and cheeky banter to Paris’s Chez Georges venue. From “Britain’s Got Talent” to punchlines about strokes, names and love, no topic is off-limits. The duo join Eve Jackson on this edition of arts24.

The world’s leading association of genocide scholars declared on Monday that Israel’s ongoing actions in Gaza meet the legal definition of the crime. The report by the International Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGS) highlights the 50,000 children Israel has killed or wounded, as well as its widespread attacks on Gaza’s healthcare, aid, and educational sectors, and said that Israel’s response to Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attacks does not solely target the Palestinian militant group but the entirety of Gaza’s population.