Author: France 24

A Microsoft report released Friday said Iran was laying the groundwork to sway voters ahead of the US presidential election, including by creating fake news sites and impersonating activists online. The report also reveals how Russia and China are exploiting US political polarization to advance their own interests.

Letsile Tebogo’s 200m gold made history, Stephen Curry helped steer the USA basketball clear of a massive upset to Serbia, and Sharon van Rouwendaal dedicated her punishing 10km swimming victory to her late dog on Day 16 of the Paris Games. 

A fire broke out at a Russian military airfield hundreds of kilometres from the Ukrainian border, state media reported early Friday, with authorities ordering evacuations in the area due to a “massive” drone attack. The attack in the Lipetsk region came as pro-Kyiv forces pressed a new cross-border offensive in neighbouring Kursk, in what appears to be the most significant attack on Russian soil since the conflict in Ukraine began. As Ukraine continues a major cross-border offensive in the north to counter relentless Russian shelling and aerial bomb attacks in frontline Ukrainian regions, FRANCE 24’s Mark Owen is joined by…

The Israeli military on Thursday ordered another mass evacuation in large areas around Khan Younis in southern Gaza, saying its forces will soon operate there in response to Palestinian rocket fire. The evacuation order came after Israel said it was revoking the diplomatic status of Norwegian envoys to the West Bank, citing Oslo’s “anti-Israel behaviour” since the start of the Gaza war.  Follow our liveblog for the latest updates on the Israel-Hamas war. 

One goat, two elephants, and now three monkeys: British street artist Banksy thrilled fans in London on Wednesday by installing his third new artwork in three days.

Led by coach Thierry Henry, France are looking to win a second gold medal in the Olympics men’s football in 40 years as they face off against Spain on Friday. Despite missing star players Kylian Mbappé and Antoine Griezmann, Les Bleus are guaranteed a medal after beating Argentina and Egypt in the quarters and the semi-final.

Paris prosecutors are investigating death threats and other offenses against athletes from Israel’s Olympic team amid tensions over the Gaza war and increasing fears of a broader conflict in the Middle East. 

Cuban Greco-Roman wrestler Mijain Lopez made Olympic history Tuesday when he became the first athlete to win five consecutive individual gold medals in the same event. In a symbolic gesture, Lopez placed his shoes in the center of the mat after the match to signal he was retiring. 

Global oil benchmarks Brent crude and West Texas Intermediate surged this Wednesday on the news that Hamas’s political leader Ismail Haniyeh had been killed by a suspected Israeli strike in Iran. Fears over a regional escalation of the Israel-Hamas war are fuelling concerns over production and distribution of oil in a region that produces about a third of global supply. Also in this edition, we look ahead to the US Federal Reserve’s next decision on interest rates.

Lebanon’s armed group Hezbollah launched a series of drone and rocket attacks into northern Israel on Tuesday but warned that its much-anticipated retaliation for Israel’s killing of a top commander last week was yet to come. More information with FRANCE 24 correspondent in Jerusalem, Irris Makler.