Author: France 24

Issued on: 19/04/2024 – 14:59 In this week’s special edition of Access Asia, we focus on India as the country’s record-breaking election gets under way. In the past few years, India’s ranking in the World Press Freedom Index has plummeted. With the country’s independent media increasingly under threat, YouTube has become a key medium to fact-check trending topics. Twenty-nine-year-old Dhruv Rathee has been using the platform to fact-check issues and hold the Indian government to account. He spoke to FRANCE 24’s Delano D’Souza. Nearly a billion people are registered to vote in India’s marathon election and results are due out on…

Iran’s state media reported explosions in the central province of Isfahan on Friday, raising fears of a possible Israeli strike in retaliation for Tehran’s unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country. Here’s what we know so far. Source link

Issued on: 19/04/2024 – 12:00 For months, Europe has been rocked by protests as farmers decry high costs and low prices, in addition to what they call unfair competition from Ukraine, and the constraints of environmental regulations. EU elites are worried that the farmers’ movement will boost anti-establishment parties in the European elections this June. The EU Commission has put forward proposals to ease the burden on farmers, but environmental groups say this is a short-term political tactic that undermines elements of the EU’s own Green Deal – and will ultimately lead to more climate chaos for everybody, including farmers.…

As the clock ticks down towards the next “bitcoin halving” – an event coded into the cryptocurrency’s algorithm to slow down the introduction of new coins into circulation – we take a deep dive into the history of bitcoin and the blockchain technology powering it. Plus, Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro remains defiant after the US decision to reimpose sanctions on his country’s oil sector.  Source link

The United States on Thursday spoiled a long-shot Palestinian bid for full United Nations membership, vetoing a Security Council measure despite growing international distress over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Source link

Iran’s state media reported explosions in the central province of Isfahan Friday, as US media quoted officials saying Israel had carried out retaliatory strikes on its arch-rival. Air defence systems over several Iranian cities were activated, state media reported, after the country’s official broadcaster said explosions were heard near the city of Isfahan. Israel had previously warned it would hit back after Iran fired hundreds of missiles and drones at Israel over the weekend. Most of them were intercepted. Follow our liveblog for the latest updates on the situation in the Middle East.  Source link

Issued on: 17/04/2024 – 22:38 Viral publications on social media are claiming that Princess Salma of Jordan shot down six Iranian drones late on Saturday. Jordan is the latest target of misinformation following its role in defending Israel against Iran’s drone and missile attack. We explain in this edition of Truth or Fake. Source link

Although the US has said that it would not take part in any retaliatory strike from Israel in response to Iran’s largely thwarted salvo over the weekend, the Biden administration’s “ironclad” support for the country could still prompt Israel to launch a direct attack on Iranian soil – with potentially disastrous results. Source link

Kenya’s defence chief and nine other top brass died on Thursday in a military helicopter crash in a remote area of the country, President William Ruto said. Issued on: 18/04/2024 – 19:52 3 min “Today at 2:20 pm, our nation suffered a tragic air accident… I am deeply saddened to announce the passing of General Francis Omondi Ogolla, the Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces (CDF),” Ruto told reporters.The president, who had convened an urgent meeting of the National Security Council after news of the accident emerged, said nine other “gallant military personnel” on board were also killed while two…

Its majestic dome is a curvilinear flourish on the Paris skyline. After three years of renovations, the Grand Palais is ready to welcome visitors for the Olympic Games this summer. The site will then open its doors to the public for a host of cultural events in the spring of 2025. Source link