Author: France 24

Migration was at the heart of Giorgia Meloni’s successful 2022 election campaign. Promising a tougher approach to irregular migration helped propel her to power, but what has her government achieved since then? One of its flagship policies was the creation of a controversial migrant processing centre in Albania. Yet the plan has repeatedly run into legal obstacles in Italy, raising questions about whether it can deliver on its promises. At the same time, Meloni has had to balance her hardline rhetoric with economic realities. Faced with labour shortages and pressure from businesses, her government has authorised around half a million additional work visas for the 2026–2029 period. Has Meloni’s migration policy proved more pragmatic than her supporters expected? Whatever the answer, it has created political space on her right. One of the most prominent challengers is former army general Roberto Vannacci, who advocates an even…

Read More

Middle East tensions are once again driving up global oil prices, with Brent crude climbing above $100 a barrel for the first time since May. While much of the focus has been on the strategic Strait of Hormuz, the alternative shipping route through the Red Sea is becoming increasingly dangerous after Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels said they targeted two Saudi oil tankers. The escalation comes as Donald Trump said on Thursday he was considering a “massive attack” on Iran, prompting Tehran to warn it would hold accountable any country that assists the United States in such an operation. France 24…

Read More

Following a decisive attack in the closing stages, Richard Carapaz claimed victory on Stage 18, leaving all his rivals trailing in his wake. He finished ahead of Switzerland’s Mauro Schmid and the American Matteo Jorgenson, who crossed the line 45 seconds behind him. Today, the riders face another mountain stage, with over 3,000 metres of elevation gain.

Read More

Nearly 1,000 years after chronicling the Norman conquest of England, the Bayeux Tapestry is making history once again. The fragile 11th-century embroidery has arrived in London on an unprecedented loan to the British Museum, prompting delight and concern in equal measure. Celebrated as one of Europe”s greatest medieval treasures, its journey has reignited debates over heritage, diplomacy and the risks of moving delicate cultural artefacts.

Read More

The United States temporarily waived sanctions on Iranian oil exports on Monday, opening the door for Tehran to return to global energy markets as negotiations between the two countries continue. In this edition, we look at the impact this has had on oil prices, while also examining major job cuts at Oracle linked to AI-driven restructuring and a sharp sell-off in technology stocks that’s rippled from Wall Street to Asian and European markets.

Read More

François Picard is pleased to welcome Dana Thomas, Paris-based journalist, specialising in fashion and culture, and author of “Deluxe: How Luxury Lost Its Luster”. For decades, allegations of sexual exploitation in the fashion industry, spanning the globe, have resurfaced, often surrounding powerful figures whose deaths have complicated any semblance of accountability. In the wake of Daniel Siad’s sudden death, Thomas offers a scathing indictment of the systemic failures within French law enforcement, the modelling industry, and the highest echelons of power. 

Read More