Author: France 24

Portugal’s main centre-right party narrowly defeated the incumbent Socialists but fell well short of a majority in a general election that saw far-right Chega surge to become a potential kingmaker. Issued on: 10/03/2024 – 23:43 3 min The result marks another advance for the populist far right in Europe, where they already govern — often in coalition — in countries such as Italy, Hungary and Slovakia, or are steadily gaining, as in France and Germany.Near-complete official results showed early Monday that the centre-right Democratic Alliance (AD) captured 29.49 percent of the vote in Sunday’s poll, just ahead of the Socialists,…

Europe could suffer “catastrophic” consequences from climate change if it fails to take urgent and decisive action to adapt to risks, a new EU analysis warned Monday. Issued on: 11/03/2024 – 00:31 2 min Areas in southern Europe are most at risk, the European Environment Agency (EEA) said in its first report on the climate risks the continent faces.The dangers include fires, water shortages and their effects on agricultural production, while low-lying coastal regions face threats of flooding, erosion and saltwater intrusion.”Many of these risks have already reached critical levels and could become catastrophic without urgent and decisive action,” the…

“Oppenheimer,” a solemn three-hour biopic that became an unlikely billion-dollar box-office sensation, was crowned best picture at a 96th Academy Awards that doubled as a coronation for Christopher Nolan. After passing over arguably Hollywood’s foremost big-screen auteur for years, the Oscars made up for lost time by heaping seven awards on Nolan’s blockbuster biopic, including best actor for Cillian Murphy, best supporting actor for Robert Downey Jr. and best director for Nolan.In anointing “Oppenheimer,” the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences did something it hasn’t done for more than a decade: hand its top prize to a widely seen,…

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Monday that Russian advances had been “halted” in Ukraine and the situation was now “much better” for his troops than in recent months.  Issued on: 11/03/2024 – 22:02 1 min “The Russian advance has been halted,” Zelensky told French broadcaster BFM TV. “Our command, our military has stopped the Russian advance in eastern Ukraine,” he said. Kyiv has faced mounting pressure on the front line in recent months, losing ground to Moscow amid hold-ups to Western aid from its biggest ally Washington.Zelensky said Monday: “I can give you this fresh piece of information: The situation is now…

US, Canadian, French and Caribbean envoys were meeting Monday in Jamaica to address the spiraling instability in Haiti, where gang violence has crippled the capital and forced foreign diplomats to evacuate over the weekend. Issued on: 11/03/2024 – 04:15 2 min Armed groups, which already control much of Port-au-Prince as well as roads leading to the rest of the country, have unleashed havoc in recent days as they try to oust Prime Minister Ariel Henry.In power since the 2021 assassination of president Jovenel Moise, Henry had been visiting Kenya, in search of support for a UN-backed security support mission, when…

Sweden’s flag was raised at NATO headquarters on Monday, cementing the Nordic country’s place as the 32nd member two years after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine persuaded its reluctant public to seek safety under the alliance’s security umbrella. Issued on: 11/03/2024 – 17:02 3 min Under a steady rain, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Crown Princess Victoria and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg looked on as two soldiers raised the blue banner emblazoned with a yellow cross among the official circle of national flags at the alliance’s headquarters in Brussels.“The Russian, brutal, full-scale invasion against Ukraine united Sweden behind the conclusion…

The NGO Humanity & Inclusion has been working for decades to protect civilians from explosive weapons and has repeatedly warned about the dangers posed by the presence of Israeli explosive remnants of war in the Gaza Strip. The consequences of which are far-reaching: loss of life, disabling injuries, psychological trauma and delayed deliveries of humanitarian aid and reconstruction efforts.  For more than five months, the Israeli army has been pounding the Gaza Strip in retaliation for the Hamas-led October 7 attack on Israel.While Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has vowed to annihilate the Islamist movement governing the Palestinian territory, Israeli bombing…

Several French state bodies have been hit with cyberattacks of “unprecedented intensity”, Prime Minister Gabriel Attal’s office said Monday, while insisting the government had been able to contain the impact. Issued on: 11/03/2024 – 17:50 1 min “Many ministerial services were targeted” from Sunday “using familiar technical means but of unprecedented intensity,” Attal’s office said, without providing further details of the targets.A security source told AFP that the attacks “are not currently attributable to Russia,” an obvious suspect for many given Paris’ support for Kyiv since the invasion of Ukraine.The PM’s staff added that a “crisis cell has been activated…

Issued on: 10/03/2024 – 10:30Modified: 10/03/2024 – 11:21 01:13 © FRANCE 24 A US Army vessel carrying equipment for building a temporary pier in Gaza was on its way to the Mediterranean on Sunday while a boat laden with food for Palestinians in war-ravaged Gaza awaited to set sail from Cyprus. It remained however unclear where and how the aid ship will unload to ensure delivery to people in Gaza, FRANCE 24’s Andrew Hilliar said, reporting from Jerusalem. Read more on related topics: Source link

London (AFP) – Bitcoin raced to an all-time peak above $72,000 Monday as the world’s most popular cryptocurrency won further support on greater trading accessibility and dollar weakness. Issued on: 11/03/2024 – 13:27Modified: 11/03/2024 – 13:25 2 min The virtual unit struck $72,234 as dealers also eyed an upcoming industry event that traditionally boosts bitcoin’s price.Monday’s spurt extended last week’s record-breaking run when the currency bulldozed its way past the previous November 2021 pinnacle of $68,991.Bitcoin won further support Monday after Britain’s Financial Conduct Authority watchdog said it would join US regulators by allowing the creation of crypto-related securities.US authorities…