Marine Le Pen's anti-immigrant and eurosceptic far-right National Rally (RN) party scored historic gains to win the first round of France's parliamentary election. Reporting from Brussels, FRANCE 24's Pierre Benazet explains what a far-right victory in France could mean for the European Union.
Zhang Zhijie was suddenly taken ill during a match late Sunday against Japan's Kazuma Kawano at the Asia Junior Championships in Yogyakarta. The score was 11-11 in the first game when Zhang fell to the floor between points. The teenager received treatment at the venue and was rushed to hospital by ambulance, but passed away later that night after repeated efforts to resuscitate him failed. "Medical conclusions... indicated that the victim experienced sudden cardiac arrest," Broto Happy, spokesman... Читать дальше...
French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal urged voters Sunday not to give the far right "a single vote" in the second round of voting after the National Rally (RN) party of Marine Le Pen won the first round. The far right is at the gates of power," Attal said, warning that the party risked winning an absolute majority. "Our objective is clear: to prevent the RN from getting elected in the second round. Not a single vote must go to the National Rally."
Acclaimed Albanian novelist Ismail Kadare -- an eternal bridesmaid for a Nobel literature prize -- died Monday of a heart attack aged 88, his editor and a Tirana hospital told AFP.
Hundreds of people take to the streets of Paris to demonstrate against the far right, which came out on top in the first round of early parliamentary elections. The demonstration follows a rally organised by the New Popular Front (NFP, Nouveau Front Populaire), the left-wing coalition that came in second.
His sophisticated storytelling -- often likened to that of George Orwell or Franz Kafka -- used metaphor and irony to reveal the nature of tyranny under Hoxha, who ruled Albania from 1946 until his death in 1985. "Dark times bring unpleasant but beautiful surprises," Kadare told AFP. "Literature has often produced magnificent works in the dark ages as if it were seeking to remedy the misfortune inflicted on people," he said. He was often tipped to win a Nobel prize for his towering body of work... Читать дальше...
French voters face a decisive choice on July 7 in the runoff of snap parliamentary elections that could see the country’s first far-right government since the World War II Nazi occupation — or no majority emerging at all.
France's far right was on Sunday eyeing a historic chance to form a government and claim the post of prime minister after winning the first round of legislative elections with the centrist forces of President Emmanuel Macron coming in only third. The two-round vote could put the far-right in power in France for the first time since the Nazi occupation in World War II and give 28-year-old RN party chief Jordan Bardella, a protege of its longtime leader Le Pen, the chance to form a government. FRANCE... Читать дальше...
PRESS REVIEW – Monday, July 1: In this special edition, we bring you front pages, opinion pieces and cartoons from the French press and around the world after the far-right National Rally's victory in the first round of snap French legislative elections. Papers are expressing concern at the results, amid a consensus that Macron's gamble in calling the snap vote has completely backfired.
Emmanuel Macron has taken many risks in a political career marked by countless crises but his decision to call snap elections may be one too many, marring his legacy and ushering in an era of extremes. FRANCE 24's Peter O'Brien reports from Macron's party Ensemble! headquarters in Nanterre.
Steve Bannon, one of former US president Donald Trump's chief strategists, is set to report to a federal prison on Monday to begin serving a four-month sentence for refusing to comply with a congressional subpoena investigating the January 6 US Capitol Siege. Attorneys for Bannon had argued that his case raises issues that warrant examination by the Supreme Court, but the court on Friday declined to stave off his last-minute appeal to avoid prison.
French President Emmanuel Macron's camp saw an embarrassing third-place finish in the first round of snap legislative elections on Sunday, behind both the far-right National Rally party and a new leftist alliance. With the National Rally now poised to secure the largest block in parliament, Macron's shock decision to dissolve the National Assembly after European elections in June has detractors calling out his "hubris" and prompted a reconsideration of his legacy.
The 35-year-old, back in the Wallabies squad for the first time in three years, hobbled off during a low-level domestic fixture at the weekend with scans confirming the serious injury. "Kurtley Beale will undergo surgery for a ruptured Achilles today and we wish him all the best for a successful recovery," the Wallabies said on Instagram. A timeframe for Beale's return was not given, with some reports suggesting the injury could be career-ending for a player who has been capped 95 times. In a... Читать дальше...
Zhang Zhijie was suddenly taken ill during a match late Sunday against Japan's Kazuma Kawano at the Asia Junior Championships in Yogyakarta. The score was 11-11 in the first game when Zhang fell to the floor. He received treatment at the venue and was taken to hospital by ambulance, but passed away after efforts to resuscitate him failed. The cause of death was not immediately known. "China's Zhang Zhijie, a singles player, collapsed on the court during a match in the evening," Badminton Asia... Читать дальше...
Wilson, an American college student, was born in China but given away by parents presumed fearful of violating the country's one-child policy, under which families were punished for having additional children until the strategy was ended from 2016. Soon after her birth, she was found outside a now-demolished factory in the town of Dianjiang, brought to an orphanage and later adopted by a couple in the United States. Now 19, she is among a growing number of Chinese adoptees returning to their birth... Читать дальше...
The 39-year-old, 12-time NBA All-Star, who played for Golden State last season, will now spend his 20th season in Texas as he chases an elusive first championship ring. Paul was used sparingly by the Warriors last year, making only 18 starts at an average of 11.9 points and 7.3 assists. However, the likely future Hall of Famer provides crucial experience in a young squad that is being built around the talents of French prodigy Wembanyama under the guidance of veteran coach Gregg Popovich. Paul is also an avowed admirer of Wembanyama... Читать дальше...
AFP Sport looks at five things to know about Machac, the Czech world number 38. Two head-to-head wins The 23-year-old has beaten Murray twice this year, first in straight sets at Marseille and then in a dramatic three-setter at Miami. He thus improved his record against Britons -- in his first appearance at Wimbledon last year, he lost to Cameron Norrie in four sets in the first round. Machac has since recorded several notable wins, including defeating Novak Djokovic on the Geneva clay in three sets in May. Читать дальше...
It is a choice between master goal-kicker Pollard and ball-in-hand magician Libbok for a clash of the top ranked nations with the Rugby World Cup holders first. Initially, the South African media believed Pollard was a shoo-in to start against the Six Nations champions, but recent reports suggest Libbok might get the nod. Libbok began the 2023 World Cup campaign in the playmaker role as Pollard had been ruled out of the tournament due to injury. But when hooker Malcolm Marx was an early injury casualty in France last September... Читать дальше...
Alcaraz, who stunned seven-time champion Novak Djokovic in a five-set final in 2023, is looking to become just the sixth man to complete the French Open-Wimbledon double in the same season. Also in action on the opening day are world number one Jannik Sinner, US Open champion Coco Gauff and Australian Open winner Aryna Sabalenka. AFP Sport looks at three matches to watch on Monday: Carlos Alcaraz v Mark Lajal -- Defending champion Alcaraz, still only 21, is chasing his fourth Grand Slam title... Читать дальше...
North Korea's launch of two ballistic missiles on Monday escalated tensions with South Korea.The launch comes a day after Pyongyang denounced joint military exercises by South Korea, Japan and the United States.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa appoints opposition politicians to key ministerial positions in new cabinet while the ANC retains 20 positions, including key ministries, following intense negotiations.
Another embarrassing exit for English football at a major tournament was looming in Gelsenkirchen until Bellingham's acrobatic effort in the 95th minute broke Slovak hearts. A minute into extra-time, Harry Kane then completed the comeback to set up a meeting with Switzerland on Saturday in the quarter-finals. However, any excitement among the England fan base at ending up on the perceived weaker side of the draw was drained away by another turgid performance from Gareth Southgate's men. England... Читать дальше...
Marine Le Pen’s anti-immigrant National Rally led a first round of voting on Sunday in exceptionally high-stakes elections that could put France’s government in the hands of a far-right party for the first time since World War II. President Emmanuel Macron’s ruling coalition was beaten into third place by a fledgling alliance of the left as the incumbent’s gamble with a snap election backfired spectacularly.
Spain defeated Georgia at Euro 2024, with goals from Rodri, Fabian Ruiz, Nico Williams, and Dani Olmo, after conceding own goal. Spain will now face Germany in the quarter-finals. Despite the loss, Georgia stunned the crowd by taking the lead with their first attack just 18 minutes into the game.
Bielsa was sanctioned after allegedly delaying the start of the second half of his team's 5-0 win over Bolivia. The veteran Uruguay coach's place on the bench for Monday's game at Kansas City will be taken by assistant Pablo Quiroga. Bielsa is one of several coaches at the Copa America who have been sanctioned for holding up play. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, Chile's Ricardo Gareca and Venezuela's Fernando Batista have also been disciplined by CONMEBOL to similar offences. The Uruguayan Football Association has also been fined $15,000. Читать дальше...
