enToday's news, livenews and breaking top stories on France 24https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/Wed, 24 Jun 2026 05:41:20 GMTInternationalhttps://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20260624-japan-pm-heckled-at-wwii-memorial Close US ally Japan in April loosened rules on lethal arms exports and Takaichi, long seen as a security hawk who last year riled China with comments about Taiwan, has said she wants to revise the constitution. A small but vocal number of demonstrators shouted slogans throughout Takaichi's speech on Tuesday at an event commemorating the 81st anniversary of the end of the savage 1945 Battle of Okinawa in which some 200,000 Japanese died. The jeers included "No to war!" and "Protect Article 9!", a reference to a clause in Japan's constitution that renounces war, the footage showed. "Whenever I reflect upon the regret of all those who perished in the war and the grief of the bereaved families, my heart is filled with profound sorrow," Takaichi said in the address. "Under our unwavering pledge never again to repeat the devastation of war, Japan has steadfastly moved forward on this path as a nation that places the highest value on peace," she said. Okinawa in southern Japan is also a major base for the US military -- long a source of unease among locals -- and could be on the frontline in any future conflict with China over nearby Taiwan. Recent months have seen regular protests about the shifts in policy under Takaichi, which have also prompted an angry response from China which accuses Japan of reviving its wartime "militarism". Following its World War II defeat in 1945, Japan has maintained a pacifist stance, with its army restricted to defensive operations. In recent years however, Japan has moved to obtain "counterstrike" capabilities while hiking military spending and deepening security cooperation with regional allies including the Philippines. This has accelerated under Takaichi, who last November sparked fury from China by suggesting that Japan might intervene militarily in any Chinese attempt to take Taiwan. China, which regards the democratic island as part of its territory and has not ruled out force to annex it, has advised its citizens to avoid Japan and imposed trade restrictions. 40dad0ae-6f85-11f1-88e1-3b3259b61f12Wed, 24 Jun 2026 04:29:12 GMT© JIJI PRESS / JIJI Press/AFPFRANCE24Internationalhttps://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20260624-hanoi-residents-mount-silent-protest-over-home-demolitions Authorities in Vietnam's capital have been on a demolition blitz, knocking down thousands of homes to make way for bridges and other infrastructure projects as part of a 100-year master plan approved last month. One 11,000-hectare area along the Red River -- roughly the size of Paris -- is slated to become a warren of high-end residential complexes and parks, with roughly 250,000 residents relocated. Large-scale protests are rare in Vietnam, where the communist authorities brook little dissent. But private grumbling has given way to tentative public opposition as residents fight to save their homes. "We have been living in fear, we don't know when we will be kicked out of our houses. We want our voice to be heard," said Hoa. Her life savings are tied up in a two-storey house in the planned development area, surrounded by ornamental and fruit trees. Last week, she joined a vigil at a Buddhist temple where residents prayed for peace -- a veiled plea for their homes to be spared. Hundreds of Red River area residents have attended similar vigils, organised anonymously in recent weeks and publicised on social media. The low-lying region is home to dozens of vibrant communities, some dating back centuries with bustling markets, leafy gardens and traditional burial grounds. French-style villas stand to be bulldozed, along with modest Hanoi-style "tube" houses and densely packed low-rises. "May the Buddhas of the ten directions hear our earnest plea," one anonymous user commented on a Facebook group dedicated to the Red River redevelopment. "Please help us avoid losing our homes, our land, our ancestral graves." - Cautious - Not far from Hoa's home on a nearby street, resident Duc said he and some neighbours hung a banner from the balcony of his four-storey home. "We urge local authorities to consider people's aspiration in maintaining the present communities," it read. He said the phrasing was deliberately cautious, "avoiding strong words like 'protest' or 'against'", but that the authorities nonetheless asked him to take it down. Dozens of similar banners have appeared on nearby houses, with many disappearing after a few days. Tuong Vu, a Vietnam expert at the University of Oregon, said Hanoi residents had "expressed their disagreement and resentment at losing their lands and houses". Duc said he would wait to see what happened in his neighbourhood before making any more attempts to save his home. "It's not fair and also a big waste of money," he said of the plan to relocate so many people. "We really don't want to move." Compensation Neither do any of the dozen or so women who gathered over the weekend to stroll along the shores of Hanoi's West Lake wearing matching red-and-yellow T-shirts. Ostensibly there to exercise, the women were also carrying a message on their backs -- a call to maintain the "existing residential area" along the Red River. Authorities have pledged to compensate residents for their homes and said they will build up to 85,000 new units to eventually house them on the outskirts of the city. The principle will be that "the new living conditions are equal to or better than the old ones", the city has said. But many residents already displaced as part of Hanoi's urban renewal drive complain they were paid below-market rates for their homes. Others question how long the new housing will take to build -- and how they will afford rent in the interim. In the Red River area, part of the anger stems from the perception that private companies will profit from high-end apartments replacing their homes. A consortium of three developers is undertaking the $30 billion mega-project as part of a public-private partnership. In 2020, a dispute over land expropriated to build an airport near Hanoi devolved into clashes that left three police officers and one villager dead, with two protesters later sentenced to death and more than two dozen jailed. Since then, Oregon professor Vu said "there have been fewer acts of public protest and dissent". 3cc15c0e-6f80-11f1-ba4c-ad280e64a2d9Wed, 24 Jun 2026 03:53:18 GMT© STR / AFPFRANCE24Sporthttps://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20260624-west-indies-brace-for-sri-lanka-challenge-as-da-silva-returns The two teams have very different objectives, with the hosts looking to reignite their Test form after losing seven of eight matches played in the current World Test Championship (WTC) cycle while Sri Lanka, who lie third, will want to press their claims for a place in next year's final at Lord's. "Every Test series is an opportunity for us to grow as a team and strengthen our identity," West Indies head coach Daren Sammy said in a Cricket West Indies statement. "Sri Lanka are a quality side, so we know we'll have to be at our best, but we're excited about the challenge ahead." Sammy knows that after a dreadful period in the longest format, which sees West Indies bottom of the nine-team WTC table, credentials are on the line. "For us, it's about playing with discipline, showing character when the game gets tough, and representing the West Indies with pride," he added. Sri Lanka's third place in the WTC, behind former champions Australia and title-holders South Africa, is somewhat misleading, however, due only to a 1-0 home series success over Bangladesh 12 months ago. Dhananjaya de Silva’s team will need to stay on the winning track against the West Indies if they are to remain in contention for the showpiece occasion. Both Tests in this brief duel are being played at the same venue where these opponents played out two draws on placid surfaces in 2021. The batters, though, are expected to be much more challenged than in that immediate post-Covid campaign with games in the West Indies first-class season suggesting pitches that offer pace, bounce and considerable seam movement. 'Make the most of it' Wicketkeeper-batsman Joshua da Silva, a fixture in the West Indies side for five years before he lost his place at the start of 2025, is set for a return, primarily on the strength of consecutive outstanding domestic seasons with the bat. "It’s been really good coming back into the team. I've been accepted and mingling with everyone like I’ve been here for the last couple of years, so it feels like I have not been away for very long," said the 28-year-old. "I went back to first class cricket, did what I had to do, scored runs and got another opportunity, so I’m trying to make the most of it.” For all their recent struggles, the West Indies have been generally well served by their fast bowlers and with Alzarri Joseph returning to full fitness to partner Jayden Seales and Shamar Joseph, the Sri Lankan top order can expect a searching examination. Not that they are incapable of responding in kind. While their fastest bowler, Dushmantha Chameera, is apparently being preserved for the white ball formats, in the two Fernandos, Vishwa and Asitha, the visitors have bowlers eminently capable of extracting any assistance from helpful surfaces. Sri Lanka’s batting is again built around the experienced trio of skipper de Silva, former captain Dinesh Chandimal and the in-form Pathum Nissanka as they seek to post the type of totals which will give their bowlers a chance of achieving a first-ever Test series triumph in the Caribbean. Teams (probable): West Indies: Roston Chase (captain), John Campbell, Brandon King, Kavem Hodge, Shai Hope, Justin Greaves, Joshua da Silva (wicketkeeper), Alzarri Joseph, Jomel Warrican, Shamar Joseph, Jayden Seales Sri Lanka: Dhananjaya de Silva (captain), Pathum Nissanka, Lahiru Udara, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Mendis (wicketkeeper), Sonal Dinusha, Prabath Jayasuriya, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, Asitha Fernando 62c40678-6f7f-11f1-ba8d-ebbbd2c1d63fWed, 24 Jun 2026 03:47:12 GMT© Darren Staples / AFP/FileFRANCE24Internationalhttps://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20260624-us-congress-passes-symbolic-iran-war-rebuke-to-trump The House-passed measure, adopted by the Senate in a 50-48 vote, directs Trump to remove US forces from hostilities with Iran unless Congress explicitly authorizes military action. Because the measure is a "concurrent resolution," it does not go to Trump's desk for signature and carries disputed legal force. But its passage still puts both chambers of Congress on record against a conflict that began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran in late February, rattled global energy markets and opened a broader regional war involving Lebanon and Gulf states. During Trump's first term, Congress passed War Powers bills in 2019 and 2020 against military action in Yemen and Iran, respectively, but both were vetoed by Trump and the Senate failed override them. Trump slammed the vote later Tuesday on his Truth Social platform, calling it "poorly timed and meaningless." "These Senators have just made my job more difficult, but I will get it done, one way or the other, because I always get it done!" Trump said. The vote came as the Trump administration pursued a 60-day diplomatic push to turn a preliminary memorandum of understanding with Iran into a final agreement covering Tehran's nuclear program, sanctions relief and the Strait of Hormuz. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer forced the vote to put Republicans on record after several Trump allies voiced alarm over both the war and the president's deal to end it. "Republicans can complain about Trump's war, his secrecy, and his disastrous deal with Iran all they want behind closed doors, but the only way to ensure this war ends once and for all is for Republicans to act," Schumer said in a floor speech ahead of the vote. The resolution earlier cleared the Republican-controlled House after four Republicans joined every Democrat in backing it, a rare break with Trump on matters of war and national security. Democrats say Trump violated the Constitution by launching military operations against Iran without congressional approval. 'Dangerous prospect' Under the 1973 War Powers Act, presidents must obtain authorization from Congress within 60 days of introducing US forces into hostilities, though administrations of both parties have often contested how the law applies. The White House has argued that resolutions seeking to curb Trump's powers to wage war in Iran are unconstitutional and says the conflict had already ended under an April ceasefire ordered by Trump. It has also warned that restricting the president's authority could weaken Washington's leverage as negotiators seek to lock in a final deal with Iran. Speaker Mike Johnson, a Trump ally, said before the House vote that limiting the commander-in-chief during negotiations was a "very dangerous prospect." But Democrats and some Republicans say the fighting continued well beyond the legal deadline and that Trump has repeatedly threatened renewed strikes. The vote also reflects growing unease in Congress over the cost of the war, which disrupted trade routes, drove up energy prices and placed new strain on US voters already worried about inflation ahead of November's midterm elections. The administration's diplomacy with Tehran has moved quickly since Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed the preliminary agreement, which was meant to halt the wider regional conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. But major disputes remain. Iran said Tuesday that the UN nuclear watchdog would not be allowed to inspect nuclear sites bombed by the United States and Israel last year, rejecting Vice President JD Vance's claim that Tehran had agreed to allow inspectors back in. Trump later insisted on social media that Iran had accepted "the highest level" of nuclear inspections. Meanwhile, Tehran's top negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said the Strait of Hormuz would "never return" to the days of free passage before the war, despite new communication lines aimed at keeping the vital shipping route open. 61ddfdd6-6f7f-11f1-a04b-ebbbd2c1d63fWed, 24 Jun 2026 03:47:11 GMT© Andrew Harnik / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFPFRANCE24Sporthttps://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20260624-stokes-urged-to-use-curfew-controversy-as-fuel-to-beat-new-zealand Stokes and fast bowler Gus Atkinson were dropped from the second Test after breaking a midnight curfew in an incident at a London nightclub while celebrating England's first Test win at Lord's. McCullum said he was concerned and worried about Stokes in the after the late-night antics, which sparked suggestions the all-rounder might be stripped of the captaincy or retire from international duty. But the two players were largely cleared in two subsequent investigations, receiving only a written warning from the England and Wales Cricket Board for breaking "specific contractual obligations". England were thrashed by 253 runs in the absence of their skipper and one of their key fast bowlers in the second Test at the Oval. Stokes and Atkinson have been recalled from exile for the third Test, which starts in Nottingham on Thursday. They trained with their team-mates at Trent Bridge on Tuesday. McCullum is adamant the ultra-competitive Stokes can turn the saga to his advantage by silencing the critics with a match-winning display against the Black Caps. "Everyone that has seen Ben over the course of his captaincy and worked intimately alongside him has an immense amount of respect for him, myself included," McCullum said. "One blemish doesn't ruin all of that. It's just a slight blip, then you move on. That's where we're at as a team, that's where Ben is at as well. "Anyone can lead when it's easy. The true account of a leader, or leadership group, is to be able to lead when times are difficult. "You've got to be prepared to go through some tough times knowing that if you're able to navigate through that, and hold the fort and hold your nerve, then there's some good stuff to come." 'We've been through a lot' McCullum has denied his relationship with his "good friend" Stokes was damaged by the after-hours drama. He had initially declined to publicly back Stokes, leading to renewed speculation over the pair's bond which was strained by after a dismal 4-1 Ashes defeat in Australia marred by drinking controversies surrounding England's players. On Tuesday, McCullum said it was good to get "the band back together". "Obviously we've been through a lot together as a working pair in leadership positions here," he added. "In the end, we both want what's right and what is the best for English cricket and we're crystal clear on the direction we want this team to take." Despite smoothing over any tension with the captain, losing the series to New Zealand would increase the pressure on the Stokes-McCullum regime after the Ashes debacle. England have not lost a home series of at least three Tests since they were beaten by South Africa 14 years ago. For now, McCullum, whose attacking 'Baz-ball' game-plan revitalised England earlier in his four-year reign, is undaunted by talk that he could be sacked if they lose to New Zealand and fail to beat Pakistan later this season. "What will be, will be. When I took this job I knew it wasn't going to be easy. You can't whinge about it when you're deep into it," he said. "There's a stubbornness to me as well. I'm a big boy, I can get on with things." Along with Stokes and Atkinson, spinner Shoaib Bashir and wicket-keeper Jamie Smith were also recalled for the third Test, with James Rew, Jordan Cox, Matthew Fisher and Sonny Baker left out. 624cbc94-6f7f-11f1-8ae2-1dd019cc5a9aWed, 24 Jun 2026 03:47:11 GMT© Darren Staples / AFPFRANCE24Businesshttps://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20260624-seoul-bounces-as-asian-markets-look-to-recover-from-rout Oil prices extended losses to sit around their lowest levels since the early days of the Middle East crisis, even as some strains emerged in talks to bring an end to the conflict. Investors tentatively got back on the horse in Seoul as they picked up the pieces following a 10 percent collapse in the Kospi that was led by 12 percent losses in chip giants and market heavyweights SK hynix and Samsung. While no specific catalyst was blamed for the selling, analysts said it illustrated the growing concern on trading floors about the extended valuations of tech firms, who have been the key driver of a rally to record highs in several markets globally. Questions over when firms will see a return on the trillions that have invested in all things artificial intelligence have also been cited, as has the prospect of a US interest rate hike following last week's hawkish pivot by the Federal Reserve. Seoul, Tokyo and Taipei -- where many of the world's hardware makers are listed -- have been at the forefront of the rally this year, taking over from Wall Street, where many of the big-name performers are downstream software firms. "The next-stage debate on AI investing is not whether the theme is real, but whether the scale of investment will ultimately generate the returns that investors expect," said Christoffer Enemaerke, at RBC BlueBay Asset Management. "On the US side, the issue is whether hyperscalers will earn an adequate return on the huge (capital expenditure) being deployed. "On the (emerging market) side, the question becomes whether supply growth in areas such as memory and semiconductors will eventually outpace demand." After a second day of selling on Wall Street -- where the Nasdaq lost a further two percent -- Seoul was up more than three percent, with Samsung gaining more than seven percent and SK hynix more than three percent. "Tuesday was not simply a bad day for Korean equities," wrote Stephen Innes at SPI Asset Management. "It was a reminder that one of the world's most successful AI markets had also become one of its most crowded expressions of over-leverage." But he added: "The fundamental case remains intact, at least for now. Memory remains one of the critical bottlenecks in the global AI buildout, and neither SK hynix nor Samsung suddenly lost their strategic importance because the market had one violent session." There were also gains in Hong Kong, Sydney, Singapore and Manila, though Tokyo, Taipei, Shanghai and Wellington fell again. Eyes turn later in the day on the release earnings from US chipmaker Micron Technology, which will provide a fresh idea about the state of demand in the sector and whether the AI rally still has legs. Oil prices continued to fall on optimism for an eventual deal to end the war in Iran, as two maritime tracking platforms said traffic through the Strait of Hormuz on Monday reached its highest level since the war began. However, disputes over the vital waterway, nuclear inspections and missiles exposed early strains in negotiations. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday that Washington would not accept Iranian tolls or fees on the strait -- through which a fifth of oil usually passes. Iran and Oman said in a joint statement that they would study the administration of the trade route and the costs to be charged for services, while insisting on their sovereignty over it. But Rubio, opening a regional tour in the United Arab Emirates, said: "It's an international waterway. No country is allowed to charge tolls or fees on an international waterway." Tehran's top negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, had earlier said Hormuz "will never return" to the pre-war status quo, despite both sides agreeing to set up communication lines to keep it open. Key figures around 0230 GMT Seoul - Kospi: UP 3.8 percent at 8,514.66 Tokyo - Nikkei 225: DOWN 0.4 percent at 69,523.79 (break) Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: UP 0.2 percent at 23,371.67 Shanghai - Composite: DOWN 0.1 percent at 4,101.39 West Texas Intermediate: DOWN 0.7 percent at $72.70 a barrel Brent North Sea Crude: DOWN 0.7 percent at $76.56 a barrel Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.1376 from $1.1383 on Tuesday Pound/dollar: UP at $1.3202 from $1.3196 Dollar/yen: UP at 161.58 yen from 161.52 yen Euro/pound: DOWN at 86.17 pence from 86.23 pence New York - Dow: DOWN 0.1 percent at 51,666.84 (close) London - FTSE 100: DOWN 0.1 percent at 10,428.85 (close) 877d4246-6f79-11f1-8688-ebbbd2c1d63fWed, 24 Jun 2026 03:05:17 GMT© JUSTIN SULLIVAN / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFPFRANCE24Sporthttps://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20260624-fans-in-china-put-politics-aside-to-cheer-japan-at-world-cup China isn't the most obvious place for Japan fandom to thrive -- the two countries' historical animosity is never far from the surface and relations have been tense since hawkish Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi took office in Tokyo last year. But for the dozens of blue-jerseyed Chinese supporters in the bar on Sunday afternoon glued to Japan's every move on massive screens, their love of the football team has a long personal history, completely detached from politics. "For our generation -- the 90s generation -- most of us basically grew up watching a lot of Japanese anime, including 'Captain Tsubasa' (a series about a football prodigy)," said Fan, the group's main organiser, who gave only his surname. "More importantly, since we are both part of Asia, you could say that Japan now represents the pride and glory of Asian football." China have only qualified once for the World Cup, in 2002, when they lost all three of their games without scoring a goal. They are 91st in the FIFA world rankings, while Japan are the top Asian team at 16th. Fu Jinyu, a long-time Japan fan who has written a book on the subject, said Japan has a modern football ecosystem supporting youth development and fan culture, and the team is now at "European-level competitiveness". In contrast, "the Chinese are still struggling... not knowing what the correct path is", he said. "Chinese football... has become increasingly insular and is simply not as open as it used to be," Jasper Sun, another of Fan's group, told AFP. 'Relatively open-minded' On Sunday, as the final whistle blew, the group pulled out an enormous team flag and posed at the front of the bar, jumping up and down and cheering with joy. Asked if they had ever encountered animosity from other Chinese people, both Fan and Sun shrugged it off. "There will definitely be people like that, but personally, I don't really pay much attention to that kind of thing," said Fan. Sun said he could understand why supporters in other regions might have concerns but that Shanghai was "relatively open-minded and inclusive". When he had travelled, for example to watch Japan play China in Xiamen in 2024, he said he hadn't encountered problems. "Honestly, there wasn't much conflict... We all took the bus together at the time," he added. Online interactions can be a different matter, as Aki Yang has found. The 30-year-old, from eastern China, runs a social media fan page for the Japanese national team. She has attracted a growing number of followers -- and a growing amount of abuse, which she said she had "got used to". "Some netizens say things online like, 'What sort of traitor or lackey are you?'," she said. On the Instagram-like platform Xiaohongshu, one recent post gave advice on concealing the flag on Japanese jerseys, to "avoid embarrassment". "Wear a helmet when you go out," another user posted. 'Bridge of friendship' Student Julie Wang told AFP the comments she sees online mean she does not dare publicly express support for Japan. "I've noticed some arguing that supporting the Japanese team at this time is unpatriotic," she said. Relations have been particularly fraught since Prime Minister Takaichi suggested Tokyo might intervene militarily if Beijing were to invade self-governing Taiwan. "Honestly, especially now when relations are more strained, I feel it's even more necessary for people like us to stand up," said Fan, the Shanghai supporters' group organiser. "My ultimate ideal -- my biggest dream -- is to help build a bridge of friendship between our two countries." Despite the abuse she has received, Yang still believes football can "break down barriers". "The world is so tumultuous today, football can set aside political identities and nationality, becoming simply a source of joy," she said. 65622c90-6f78-11f1-bfd9-ebbbd2c1d63fWed, 24 Jun 2026 02:57:10 GMT© Rebecca BAILEY / AFPFRANCE24Internationalhttps://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20260624-north-korea-s-kim-unveils-plans-for-10-000-tonne-warships-nuclear-navy The hermetic nation is under multiple sets of sanctions over a nuclear programme its leaders have vowed to pursue as an essential deterrent to the United States and South Korea. Kim made his remarks at the commissioning of the Choe Hyon -- one of two 5,000-tonne class warships launched last year -- in the port city of Nampho on Tuesday, the official Korean Central News Agency reported. "The programme of equipping the Navy with nuclear weapons is following its planned course unerringly," Kim reportedly told the ceremony. "This is a strategic course of crucial importance as it will make it possible to keep the nuclear force of our state ready for multifaceted and efficient operation," he said. North Korea previously said the Choe Hyon is equipped with the "most powerful weapons", and Kim oversaw a cruise missile test from the vessel in April. "Following the Choe Hyon, we will soon commission destroyer Kang Kon for operations. After that we will launch 10,000-ton strategic warships one after another," Kim said according to a KCNA report released in English. He added the North aimed to "build every year two surface ships, whose class is higher than the Choe Hyon" including one 10,000-tonne cruiser. A 10,000-tonne class naval ship such as the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer of which the US Navy has dozens or South Korea's Sejong the Great-class at full load -- is typically 150-170 metres (about 492-557 feet) long, roughly the size of 1.5 football pitches, and weighs as much as several thousand cars. The South Korean navy runs more than 10 ships over 5,000 tonnes compared to the North's two. "The 10,000-tonne mark will carry symbolism for the North," said military studies professor Choi Gi-il at Sangji University. "A ship of that size will indicate Pyongyang's determination not to fall further behind the maritime power of Seoul," he told AFP. Pyongyang has repeatedly declared itself an "irreversible" nuclear state since a 2019 summit between Kim and US counterpart Donald Trump in Hanoi collapsed over the scope of denuclearisation and sanctions relief. North Korea remains technically at war with the South because the neighbours' 1950-53 conflict ended in an armistice rather than a peace treaty. – Deterrence – Photos released by KCNA showed Kim saluting the Choe Hyon flanked by senior officials and delivering a speech aboard the newly commissioned vessel. Lim Eul-chul, a North Korea expert at Kyungnam University, said the move was primarily aimed at sending a message to the United States -- South Korea's main security ally. "The key point is that North Korea sees these weapons as part of an effort to more effectively deter or impede US military intervention on the Korean Peninsula in the event of a conflict," he told AFP. "If the North deploys ship-launched cruise missiles armed with tactical nuclear warheads, it would significantly increase the burden on South Korean and US militaries and drive up the costs of defence and deterrence," he added. The announcement came days after Kim used a key ruling party meeting to pledge faster military modernisation, accusing South Korea and the United States of pushing the Korean Peninsula "to the brink of a nuclear war". Washington stations about 28,500 troops in South Korea to bolter Seoul's defences against military threats from Pyongyang. ffc46aca-6f76-11f1-a31e-69e2a12b4781Wed, 24 Jun 2026 02:47:10 GMT© STR / KCNA VIA KNS/AFPFRANCE24Internationalhttps://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20260624-geopolitics-and-ai-in-spotlight-at-china-s-summer-davos Fears are growing of AI-driven disruption to labour markets and the security risks it poses -- from use in conflict to breaches of cyber defences and the potential creation of new bioweapons. "The speed of technological progress is unprecedented," Premier Li Qiang said in a speech, noting that artificial intelligence has boosted "innovation efficiency". "However, we cannot ignore increasingly prominent risks of losing control of technology and ethical lapses," he said. "If governance in this area fails to keep pace, there could be serious consequences." Tech breakthroughs are touted as drivers of economic growth, but shadows include concern over job losses and geopolitics, said speakers at the annual conference put on in China by the Switzerland-based World Economic Forum (WEF). Mirek Dusek, WEF's managing director, told AFP on Tuesday that AI opens the door to new opportunities in education, healthcare and other areas. "We are blessed with a lot of technological advancements recently, but the main imperative for decision-makers around the world is really: how do you make sure this counts in the real economy?" Dusek said. There is a "risk of a backlash against some of these technologies", he warned. Adding to pressure on the international economic system is the US-Israeli war with Iran, which has stymied shipping from the oil-rich Middle East. 'Tepid environment' These headwinds have led the World Bank to reduce its global growth forecast for this year to its lowest level since the Covid pandemic. The world economy is currently facing "a tepid environment", Dusek said. Li Qiang's speech at the "Annual Meeting of the New Champions" -- held this year in the northeastern port city of Dalian -- offered the chance to deliver a message to the influential group of tech and business leaders in attendance. Beijing's number-two leader characterised China's economy as a "safe haven" in a world now struggling with "multiple shocks, including global energy shortages and severe disruptions to production and supply chains". The country has "injected a valuable dose of certainty into an increasingly uncertain world", Li said. China's economy -- second in size only to that of the United States -- has nonetheless found it challenging in recent years to keep up with its breakneck pace of development in previous decades. Despite a striking boom in exports and AI tech, sluggish household consumption and an entrenched property sector debt crisis have weighed on growth since the pandemic. Complicating matters is Beijing's tumultuous relationship with Washington. Graham Allison, professor at the Harvard Kennedy School, told AFP in Dalian that a potential war between the two great powers is very much on the table. Allison is known for coining the term "Thucydides trap", a political theory that describes an increased likelihood of war when a rising new power -- such as China -- competes with an established power, like the United States. Avoiding woes of history However, recent engagement between the Chinese and US presidents is reason for optimism that a war can be avoided, Allison said. At a summit in Beijing last month, China's Xi Jinping asked Donald Trump if the countries could "transcend the so-called 'Thucydides Trap' and forge a new paradigm for major-power relations". Xi "clearly gets it" and his mention of the obscure historical concept "wasn't by accident", Allison said. Trump, meanwhile, is "erratic in his own way", he added, calling the Iran war this year a "terrible" and "unnecessary mistake". But Trump "understands China is different", especially after the country strangled US access to critical rare-earth minerals in response to lofty tariffs Trump imposed, Allison said. "These two presidents are clearly trying to redefine the relationship or reframe it in a way that'll overcome Thucydides's trap." 298a15e0-6f76-11f1-9df5-ab1eea08401fWed, 24 Jun 2026 02:41:11 GMT© WANG Zhao / AFPFRANCE24Sporthttps://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20260624-moana-pasifika-axed-from-super-rugby-after-rescue-talks-fail-1 The side's owners announced earlier this year they were pulling out of the venture after failing to put it on a sustainable commercial footing. The governments of New Zealand, Samoa and Tonga stepped in to help broker a lifeline, but governing body New Zealand Rugby said those efforts had been fruitless. "Unfortunately, the long-term financial requirements to participate in the competition could not be met," said New Zealand Rugby chief financial officer Chris Kinraid. "We want to be clear, the door remains open beyond 2027. We firmly believe a team can be based in the Pacific Islands and that a sustainable long-term solution can be found in the future." The Auckland-based team were established in 2020 to provide a top-level pathway for players of Pacific heritage. The yearly cost of running Moana Pasifika was more than US$5.9 million. New Zealand sports minister Mark Mitchell said the government was on the list of creditors for the liquidated business, having given a US$1.6m loan. Kinraid said a viable backer for the team would need "commercial revenue of more than NZ$10m (US$5.7m) in addition to broadcast revenue". New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said he was "very disappointed". "We had hoped NZ Rugby would grant us more time, but they decided they had to move ahead announcing today that the team will not be part of Super Rugby next year." Super Rugby said in a statement "this outcome is disappointing for everyone connected with the club, including players, coaches, staff, supporters, partners and stakeholders". Failed plans Moana Pasifika from their inception were hamstrung in their ability to attract players and generate revenue. They were under strict rules preventing recruitment of players from other Super Rugby teams, and they were given a fraction of the television revenue that other New Zealand clubs received. The team were based in Auckland but played their matches on the North Shore, up to an hour's drive away from the South Auckland communities of largely Pacific origin. While they were supposed to host several matches each year in Samoa and Tonga to grow the game in the Pacific islands, television commitments meant those plans never came to fruition. In five seasons, Moana only played two home matches in the Pacific islands, one in Tonga in 2024 and one in Samoa in 2023. Fijian Drua are the only team of the 10 remaining in the southern hemisphere competition that are not from New Zealand or Australia. Moana are the second Super Rugby team to fold in three years, after Australia's Melbourne Rebels closed in 2024 citing financial problems. Super Rugby has gone through various iterations since its launch in 1996, starting with 12 teams from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, and then becoming Super 14 when two more sides were added. It expanded again, first to 15 then to an ultimately unworkable 18 teams a decade ago, with Japan and Argentina involved, before reverting to 15. The Covid pandemic again forced change and a new era kicked off in 2022, after the exit of South African sides, with five Australian and five New Zealand teams joined by Drua and Moana. 53edc4c2-6f75-11f1-b59b-69e2a12b4781Wed, 24 Jun 2026 02:35:12 GMT© Sanka VIDANAGAMA / AFPFRANCE24Sporthttps://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20260624-ghosts-of-gijon-linger-as-new-world-cup-format-encourages-collusion Austria's 1-0 defeat to West Germany at the 1982 World Cup has lived on in World Cup infamy as "the disgrace of Gijon" after the teams played out a result that would take both through at the expense of Algeria on goal difference. After worldwide condemnation and a fruitless formal complaint by Algeria, FIFA decided that in subsequent tournaments the final two games in each group would be played simultaneously. But the expansion to a 48-team tournament, and with it the return for the first time since 1994 of some third-place sides progressing to the knockout stage, has opened the door to questions over the sporting integrity of the competition once more. Four points is almost certain to be enough to go through at least as one of the eight best third-placed sides from the 12 groups. Australia and Paraguay face off on Thursday locked on three points after both beat Turkey and lost to co-hosts the United States. A stalemate in Santa Clara near San Francisco would allow both to progress. "I think you’re cheating the game in a way if you’re looking to just call a truce with 10 minutes to go. That doesn't seem right in my opinion," said Australia defender Jason Geria. "We could both progress with a point, that's evident, but I don't think it's in us to just concede or just take the foot off the gas." Egypt's meeting with Iran in Seattle on Friday is another where both could benefit from just a point. Iran have overcome huge challenges due to the conflict between Tehran and the USA to remain unbeaten in their opening two games. A third draw would likely be enough to qualify for the knockout stages for the first time in Iran's history as at least one of the best third-placed sides. A point could also be enough for Egypt to win Group G, so long as Belgium do not beat New Zealand by more than two goals. On top of the possibile collusion between sides to obtain a favourable outcome, another change to FIFA's rules for this World Cup already means the third group game will be a dead rubber for far more nations. For the first time head-to-head records instead of goal difference is being used as the tiebreaker for countries level on points. Mexico, USA, Germany and Argentina are already guaranteed to win their groups, while Haiti, Turkey, Tunisia, Jordan and Panama know they are out. 64-team World Cup inevitable? There is a further discrepancy in that teams playing in the final groups to finish will have a far better idea of what is required to be one of the best third-placed sides. With three points from their opening two games, Scotland face Brazil in Miami on Wednesday in one of the first groups to finish not knowing if a narrow defeat will be enough to progress from the group stages for the first time. By contrast, Algeria and Austria will know exactly what is needed when the final group games kick off on Saturday. The difficulties presented by narrowing 48 teams to 32 has already led to suggestions that a 64-team World Cup is inevitable. That would allow the traditional format of the top two from four-team groups to progress to the last 32. The Athletic reported last year that the idea has already been floated by a delegation of influential South American leaders ahead of the 2030 World Cup. Although the proposal has been met with resistance, an even bigger tournament may prove financially irresistible for FIFA. The largest World Cup in history is still missing two of the globe's biggest commercial markets in China and India, while four-time winners Italy failed to qualify for a third successive tournament. Despite concerns over a dilution in quality, the World Cup's expansion has provided some of the stories of the tournament. Cape Verde can still qualify after drawing with Spain and Uruguay, Curacao held Ecuador to earn a first World Cup point, while the bagpipe-playing, kilt-wearing hordes of Scotland's Tartan Army charmed Boston and drank its bars dry. The price to pay for an imperfect format may be to come this week as the group stages lurch to an anticlimactic conclusion. 6e10ad96-6f71-11f1-a538-0be1e00cf0b8Wed, 24 Jun 2026 02:07:18 GMT© Stu Forster / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFPFRANCE24Businesshttps://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20260624-race-for-robotaxi-market-arrives-in-london British start-up Wayve, in partnership with Uber, is racing to beat US rival Waymo, owned by Google-parent Alphabet. China's Baidu is also to launch in the British capital, where winding streets, roadworks and pedestrian traffic bring unique challenges. "London has 20 times the amount of road construction than San Francisco and 10 times the amount of vulnerable road users," said Kaity Fischer, head of business development at Wayve. "We've had 2,000-year-old roads, certainly no perfect grid system," she told AFP ahead of a ride in the company's Ford Mustang Mach-E. On the road, every pedestrian and intersection presents a test. The car responded smoothly though, braking where necessary. Passengers tend to spend the first few minutes of the ride "marvelling, videoing the steering wheel moving on its own, taking selfies", Fischer said. Then "about three minutes in, they're doing the exact same thing that they do in any other Uber or ride hail -- they're looking at their phone", she added. Britain stands ahead of the European Union in the race to getting driverless cars on the road, thanks to government efforts to speed up regulation. The Labour government expects the autonomous vehicle sector to generate 38,000 jobs and £42 billion ($55 billion) by 2035. Backlash Londoners will be able to take their first commercial rides with Wayve this summer, with a human operator on board in the initial stages. Waymo, already operating in 11 US cities using pre-mapped routes, could follow shortly after. The sector's complexity means that companies competing in one city may collaborate in another, with one providing the technology and the other managing the fleet and commercial rollout. Baidu, in partnership with ride-sharing firm Lyft, will be testing "in the coming weeks" ahead of launching in London later this year, said Jeremy Bird, Lyft's head of global growth. At its launch, fares are likely to be "pretty similar" to traditional taxis, he told AFP. Companies are under pressure to get the public on side, after a series of high-profile mishaps. This year, a string of Baidu vehicles stalled in central China leaving passengers stranded. Waymo had to recall nearly 4,000 cars after several incidents in which its robotaxis entering closed-off highway construction areas. "Robotaxi players know they are just one bad accident away from getting serious pushback," McKinsey transport specialist Philipp Kampshoff told AFP. "So you have to make sure safety is your absolute priority." 'Tourist attraction' Waymo product director Saswat Panigrahi has offered assurances that its cars record 13 times fewer serious accidents than human drivers. The system's AI technology is "powerful enough" to detect tiny movements that indicate a pedestrian is about to walk across the road, he said at the South by Southwest tech festival in London. But for Steve McNamara, head of London's taxi association, robotaxis are just "a solution to a problem that doesn't exist". "They are pumping millions and millions of dollars into PR, into spin, into marketing, into convincing politicians, into convincing people that this is a great thing," McNamara told AFP. London's taxi industry is still recovering from the rise of Uber, which reduced the number of its vehicles on the road to 14,800 in 2024 from 22,300 in 2009. McNamara said robotaxis will ultimately become "a tourist attraction", adding that autonomous vehicles tend to wait until roads are completely clear before pulling out. "There's parts of London where it would be sitting there until Christmas Day, if you're waiting for the road to be clear." 2d241a54-6f6f-11f1-832f-0be1e00cf0b8Wed, 24 Jun 2026 01:51:10 GMT© Ben STANSALL / AFP/FileFRANCE24Sporthttps://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20260624-panama-out-of-world-cup-after-defeat-to-croatia Croatia, who made it to the last four of the 2018 and 2022 tournaments, were looking to bounce back after a 4-2 defeat to England in their opening Group L game . In the end, Ante Budimir's 54th minute goal proved enough to see off the spirited Central Americans. "You cannot win a match if you don't score," said Panama's Danish-born coach Thomas Christiansen. But he told reporters he was "super proud" of his players for how they battled against the higher-ranked Croatian side. Despite being eliminated from the tournament, Christiansen said Panama had taken strides forward. "These players, after these two World Cup matches, won't be where they are today." Croatia's most celebrated player, Luka Modric, was making his 200th international appearance, but his early headed effort on goal sailed over the bar. Under Christiansen, Panama have implemented a tight defensive structure that helped them secure their second-ever World Cup appearance. But it was the Panamanian offence that almost made the difference in the first half. In the 23rd minute Jose Luis Rodriguez guided a header towards goal but the outstretched fingertips of Croatian 'keeper Dominik Livakovic redirected the ball off the bar. The second half marked a clear momentum shift and the capacity crowd of 43,000 in Toronto with a strong Croatian majority erupted when Budimir tapped in a cross from Josip Stanisic. Croatia should have been two up minutes later, when a perfectly weighted pass from Modric sent Marco Pasalic alone speeding towards goal. Pasalic's first effort was stopped by keeper Orlando Mosquera and although the rebound came back to him he blasted an off-balance second attempt well over the bar. Panama kept pressing for the equalizer but they ultimately failed to find the net, extending their World Cup goalless streak. They face England in what will be their final match of the tournament on Friday. Croatia have three points and will face Ghana, who moved onto four points after holding England to a goalless draw earlier, for a place in the final 32. 'Very humble' After the match, Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic was asked about Modric's milestone international appearance, and whether the AC Milan midfielder was uncomfortable being the focus of adulation. Modric, 40, went off as a substitute after 81 minutes, prompting a roar of applause in the Toronto stadium, and was lifted in the air by his teammates after the final whistle. "It could be that Luka might want to avoid all this," Dalic told reporters. "He's very humble, he's very simple," he added, saying Modric "truly is not for major celebrations, but I'm very glad that we marked this today." In Dalic's view, Modric is a "born leader," not someone who needs to impose his leadership role on the squad. "That's what makes Luka a quality person," the Croatian coach said. 63237e04-6f6c-11f1-bf27-0be1e00cf0b8Wed, 24 Jun 2026 01:31:12 GMT© Michael Reaves / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFPFRANCE24Sporthttps://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20260624-moana-pasifika-axed-from-super-rugby-after-rescue-talks-fail The side's owners announced earlier this year they were pulling out of the venture after failing to put it on a sustainable commercial footing. New Zealand's government stepped in to help broker a lifeline, but governing body New Zealand Rugby said those efforts had been fruitless. "Unfortunately, the long-term financial requirements to participate in the competition could not be met," said New Zealand Rugby chief financial officer Chris Kinraid. The Auckland-based team was established in 2020 to provide a top-level pathway for players of Pacific heritage. New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said he was "very disappointed". "We had hoped NZ Rugby would grant us more time, but they decided they had to move ahead announcing today that the team will not be part of Super Rugby next year." 96671044-6f69-11f1-b764-d3523d990265Wed, 24 Jun 2026 01:11:10 GMT© Sanka VIDANAGAMA / AFPFRANCE24Sporthttps://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20260624-wizards-choose-teenage-talent-dybantsa-with-no-1-pick-in-nba-draft The 6ft 8in (2.03m) 19-year-old forward was scooped by the Wizards after playing just one season of college basketball with the Brigham Young University Cougars. In 2025-2026, Dybantsa averaged 25.5 points from 35 games with 6.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists. Dybantsa enters the NBA after a stellar career in youth basketball which also saw him lead the United States to the 2025 FIBA Under-19 World Cup, where he was named Most Valuable Player of the tournament. "It means a lot," Dybantsa told ESPN moments after his selection. "Obviously it's just a stepping stone and I have a lot more work to do. But it's a testament to all my hard work and discipline and the sacrifices that I've made," he added. The Utah Jazz meanwhile opted for University of Kansas prospect Darryn Peterson with the second pick. Like Dybantsa, the 6ft 6in guard also enters the NBA after just a single season of college basketball where he averaged 20.2 points. A natural scorer, Peterson is seen as the perfect fit to play alongside Utah's Keyonte George as the Jazz attempt to rebuild after a dismal 22-60 season. The Memphis Grizzlies meanwhile chose 2026 National College Player of the Year Cameron Boozer with the third pick of the draft. Boozer is the son of two-time NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer, a 13-year NBA veteran who played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Utah Jazz, Chicago Bulls, and Los Angeles Lakers. The 18-year-old played one season with Duke University, averaging 22.5 points in 38 starts. The 6ft 9in prospect was regarded by many as the most naturally gifted player in this year's draft, combining natural all-court skills with physical heft. His college season ended in March when he suffered multiple fractures around his right eye during Duke's 73-72 defeat to the University of Connecticut in the "Elite Eight" college competition. "Honestly man, it's crazy," Boozer said afterwards. "Just a lot of happiness and joy -- my whole life in a couple of seconds." Boozer, sitting alongside his parents and brothers as he spoke to ESPN, said he owed his success to his family. "As a family sitting here, I wouldn't be here without these guys sitting right here," Boozer said. "It's just a great feeling to be here with them. They've been there with me every step of the way." 6739f22c-6f65-11f1-ae36-d3523d990265Wed, 24 Jun 2026 00:41:12 GMT© Arturo Holmes / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFPFRANCE24