Author: France 24

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has issued a pre-recorded video message on his YouTube channel and other social media platforms, announcing that the United Kingdom now formally recognises the State of Palestine. This makes Britain the 148th of the UN’s 193 member states to do so. Israel has condemned the move, voicing strong criticism. France 24’s Bénédicte Paviot reports on the reaction in the United Kingdom.

Ellie Kildunne marked her return with two moments of brilliance as England overcame a ferocious French challenge to claim a gritty 35–17 semi-final win and book their spot in the Women’s World Cup final against Canada.

On Wednesday, the US central bank cut its benchmark interest rate by 0.25 percent amid growing concerns about job creation in the country. In this edition, we’ll explore the challenging political context behind this decision and examine its potential impact on a US housing market that many find unaffordable. Also in today’s show, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg unveils new AI-powered smart glasses.

Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension is not just a late-night controversy. It opens up a larger question about the future of free speech in the United States — and about how far political power can reach into the media landscape. Our guest today is Julien Labarre, Political Scientist and Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Zurich. His work focuses on the intersection of politics, media, and democracy, and he’s illustrating all that’s at stake when lawsuits, regulatory pressure, and commercial interests collide. As the FCC becomes a political weapon, lawsuits turn into intimidation tactics, and media giants are forced to weigh editorial…

Nearly half a million Palestinians have fled south from Gaza City since late August, the Israeli military said Friday as it pushes ahead with a deadly ground offensive into the famine-struck city. The UN estimated that around one million people were living in and around the city by late August. Simon Moritz reports.

Reed Brody, former New York Assistant Attorney General, and renowned human rights lawyer known for holding dictators accountable, is now sounding the alarm at home. He describes what he sees as an “unprecedented attack on freedom of expression” in the United States: A broad, systematic effort to silence any dissent (in the media, at law firms, NGOs, universities) using all of the levers of government. And this goes far beyond censorship, Brody tells us. “It’s a litmus test of obedience to Donald Trump”, enforced through corporate pressure and regulatory threats. He points to recent cases like the suspension of Jimmy…

Erling Haaland scored against Napoli in Manchester City’s opening Champions League match of the season, becoming the youngest player ever to reach 50 goals in the competition. Manager Pep Guardiola praised Haaland’s remarkable achievement following the Cityzens’ victory.

Are Companies Ready for the Next Wave of AI? Cisco President and Chief Product Officer Jeetu Patel joins FRANCE 24’s Charles Pellegrin to explore the future of artificial intelligence. Their discussion focuses on the rise of AI agents, growing concerns over job displacement, the importance of building trust in AI technologies, and the intensifying global competition – particularly with China. 

Our guest today is Eric Heinze, Professor of Law and Humanities at Queen Mary, University of London. A specialist in free speech and constitutional theory, Professor Heinze brings a global perspective to the crisis unfolding in American public life. From late-night television to the Federal Reserve, Heinze argues that we’re witnessing not just isolated incidents but a systematic shift in how democratic norms are being undermined from within. What does it mean when a government elected on promises to shrink federal government size and power ends up expanding executive authority to the detriment of the Constitution and individual liberties? And…

In an exclusive interview with FRANCE 24, Chris Sidoti, a member of the UN Independent Commission on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, discussed the “accumulation of evidence” that led the commission to conclude that Israel is committing genocide. Sidoti stated that “the words coming out of the mouths of Israeli leaders themselves condemn them,” pointing to what he sees as clear indications of intent behind Israel’s actions in Gaza. According to him, “it can no longer be said that the fighting is directed towards the freeing of hostages,” adding that the Israeli government has shown very little genuine interest in their…