France 24

World3 hours ago

El Nino: Climate scientists warn of "Godzilla-level" climate event

Extreme heat caused by this year’s “super El Niño” could lead to as many as 451,000 excess deaths worldwide in the six months to February 2027, according to researchers at the University of Chicago’s Climate Impact Lab. The number of extremely hot days is expected to rise by 44%, with Nigeria, Indonesia and Sudan among the countries likely to be worst affected. Researchers warn that the impact could extend well beyond the six-month period studied. Carys Garland reports.

World17 hours ago

Super El Niño could cause 451,000 excess deaths worldwide

Extreme heat linked to this year’s “super El Niño” could cause up to 451,000 excess deaths worldwide in the six months to February 2027, according to researchers at the University of Chicago’s Climate Impact Lab. The number of extremely hot days is expected to rise by 44%, with Nigeria, Indonesia and Sudan among the countries likely to be most affected. Researchers warn that the impact could extend well beyond the six-month period studied. Chloe Brimicombe, a climate scientist from the University of Oxford, shares further details about this climate phenomenon.

World17 hours ago

UN General Assembly to discuss war, climate and AI

World leaders are heading to New York for the world's biggest diplomatic gathering: the UN General Assembly. Throughout the week, attention will turn to the war in Iran, climate change and the race to rein in AI. FRANCE 24's Monte Francis and Theresa Squatrito from the London School of Economics discuss what to expect.

World19 hours ago

When climate mitigation becomes politicised: The Guardian uncovers IPCC links to Saudi oil industry

François Picard is pleased to welcome Eoghan Gilmartin, an award-winning investigative journalist and part of The Guardian team whose investigation examined links between IPCC authors and Saudi Arabia’s oil industry, including Saudi Aramco. Their findings take us to the intersection of climate science, political and economic interests, and institutional credibility, and into the politically consequential terrain of climate mitigation: how societies decide to respond to climate change.

World19 hours ago

Lake Chad, a region under threat from climate change

People living in Chad’s Lake Province are bearing the brunt of climate change. The region and the communities that have developed there have historically depended on this vast body of water. Fishing, first and foremost, but also farming, are the pillars of local livelihoods. Yet both are increasingly disrupted by erratic weather patterns: dwindling fish stocks, damaged farmland and a rising cost of living.

World2 days ago

French farmers turn to tropical crops amid rising temperatures

In the south of France, climate change is reshaping the region’s fruit production. Rather than fighting against it, a growing number of farmers are learning how to work with it – turning to tropical crops, now well-suited to the local climate. Bananas, papaya and even dragon fruit are being grown in greenhouses but also in open fields, without heating or pesticides. Our Down to Earth team reports.

World2 days ago

Who are the 100 world-leading environmentalists, according to The Independent?

PRESS REVIEW – Monday, September 21: The Independent's climate 100 list for 2026 is out, featuring names like Pope Leo and Sir David Attenborough. Climate change is having an undeniable effect on animals across the world, some of which are seeking human help. And finally: are people's dating patterns shifting?

World6 days ago

Climate change: Glacier loss and dry rivers threaten water security

The world's rivers experienced one of their driest years in more than three decades in 2025, while glaciers continued to retreat and freshwater reserves kept declining, according to the World Meteorological Organization. The agency warns that climate change and growing water use are making the global water cycle more erratic, increasing the risk of both droughts and floods.

World6 days ago

'Space being weaponised': A purely civilian system can be 'repurposed' for military capabilities

Erin Ogunkeye is pleased to welcome Mélusine Lebret, Researcher in the Defence, Security & Justice research group at RAND Europe. According to Lebret, the growing militarisation of space cannot be understood simply by asking whether a satellite is civilian, military, or a “weaponised.” And Lebreton argues that militarization does not eliminate the necessity of cooperation. The emerging space-security order is therefore defined by an unusual tension: states may increasingly prepare to compete and potentially fight in space while remaining structurally dependent on one another to keep space usable at all.

WorldSep 16, 2026

EU chief calls for creation of ‘European Security Council’, backs partnership with Canada

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen called for the creation of a "European Security Council", with countries including Britain and Ukraine, in her State of the European Union speech to the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Wednesday. Addressing this year's special guest, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, von der Leyen said she wants to open the door for Canada to become the bloc's first associate member.

WorldSep 15, 2026

Lack of 'enforcement of EU laws': Consumer products contain 'illegal levels of restricted chemicals'

Eve Irvine is pleased to welcome Hélène Duguy, Senior Environmental Lawyer at ClientEarth. PFAS pollution is widespread, these highly persistent chemicals have been detected in water and soil, food and consumer products, and even the human body. The risks are increasingly well documented, alternatives now exist for many uses, and there is an extensive regulatory framework that is in place. Duguy argues that the central problem is therefore not simply a lack of scientific knowledge or legislation, but rather weak enforcement, slow regulation and corporate resistance. And so hazardous chemicals remain in circulation even when restrictions exist.

WorldSep 14, 2026

Countries turn to coal to avoid shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz

The US-Israel war on Iran has shaken global energy markets and coal is no exception. Countries around the world are turning to the highly polluting source of power in a bid to avoid shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. According to the International Energy Agency, global coal demand is forecast to rise by 1.2% this year to a record 8.94 billion ‌tonnes. FRANCE 24’s Environment Editor Valerie Dekimpe has the details in this edition.

WorldSep 11, 2026

'My Feed My Way': Australia takes on the algorithm

Australia, which became the first country to ban social media for minors, is planning to crack down on Big Tech further. The government introduced new legislation to force social media firms to allow users to opt out of algorithms. The proposed laws also aim to strengthen online child protection. Opposition lawmakers say such measures would amount to government censorship.

WorldSep 11, 2026

Record heat and drought make this year's champagne stronger

For the first time, French champagne producers are allowed to sell their bubbly with more than 13% alcohol, as record heatwaves and drought have resulted in grapes containing unusually high levels of sugar. They fear that climate change may eventually force them to permanently rewrite the rules governing winemaking. Also in the segment, the European Central Bank raised interest rates for the second time this year amid higher energy costs, as a potential new gas crisis looms over Europe.

WorldSep 11, 2026

French firefighters on six-week strike after record summer blazes

Firefighters in France are on strike over a lack of funding for essential emergency services. Their dedication was pushed to the limit in the recent wild fire episodes south of Paris and near Bordeaux. Short comings in the current system were highlighted by these extreme cases. FRANCE 24's Mark Owen speaks with Yael Lecras, Vice-President of the National Union of Professional Firefighters.

WorldSep 9, 2026

France’s record heatwave pushes champagne alcohol levels to historic high

France’s record-breaking summer heat has forced champagne producers to contend with unusually high sugar levels in grapes, forcing authorities to allow alcohol content of up to 15 percent in the region’s sparkling wine for the first time. Champagne is usually capped at 13 percent.

WorldSep 7, 2026

French wine yields drop to new historic low after searing summer heat

French wine production is expected to suffer its worst harvest in some 70 years with the agriculture ministry on Monday forecasting a 6 percent drop in output after a summer of scorching temperatures, heatwaves and drought. France last week announced more than €1 billion in emergency support for farmers.

WorldSep 7, 2026

Wildfires, heatwaves threaten global air quality and health, UN warns

Wildfires and heatwaves are threatening global efforts to improve air quality and protect human health, the World Meteorological Organisation said on Monday. The UN agency warned that increasingly severe fires are raising exposure to toxic PM2.5 pollution, even as regulations have reduced industrial and transport emissions in Europe and North America.

WorldSep 4, 2026

France announces €1 billion aid for farmers recovering from drought, heatwaves

France on Friday allocated more than €1 billion in aid to support farmers recovering from droughts after a brutal, record-breaking summer. The allocation includes €520 million for rapid payments to ‌help farmers deal with weather damage and a €235 million recovery fund to buy seeds, plants and animal feed, Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard said.

WorldSep 4, 2026

El Niño weather phenomenon set to deliver massive blow to global economy

The UN warns El Niño is a "supersized" phenomenon that will hit the global economy. Meanwhile, UK cider producers are feeling the impact of drought. Plus, Nvidia buys AI developer platform Hugging Face for $12.9 billion.

WorldSep 3, 2026

'Glacier melt and sea level rise will continue: We cannot leave this to the next generation'

Oliver Farry is pleased to welcome Inger Andersen, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme. Her central argument is that decades of what she calls “carbon procrastination” have made exceeding 1.5°C unavoidable: the question is therefore no longer simply whether the world crosses 1.5°C, but by how much, for how long, and with what consequences for vulnerable societies and ecosystems. While mitigation remains essential, adaptation becomes equally important as sea-level rise and glacier loss, will continue even as emissions fall.

WorldSep 3, 2026

France recorded 'hottest summer ever' in 2026, environment minister says

The summer of 2026 was the hottest summer ever recorded since measurements began in 1990, French Environment Minister Monique Barbut said Thursday.

WorldSep 3, 2026

China lambasts France’s ‘discriminatory’ fast-fashion law

China on Thursday called on France to abandon a new law on ultra-fast fashion that would impose fees of up to almost €20 per garment, calling it "clearly discriminatory". The law, which targets major Asian e-commerce platforms including Shein and Temu, aims to curb the industry's environmental and local economic impacts.

Search continues for tunnel workers in Nepal floods

Nepali authorities believe that the dozens of workers trapped in hydropower tunnels could still be alive, as some of the tunnels have chambers with air supplies. But rescue teams are still struggling, with difficult weather and heavy rains worsening the situation, reports France 24's Shahzaib Wahlah.

FRANCE 24 in Nepal: In Bharatpur, authorities begin burying unidentified bodies

In Nepal, the death toll continues to rise. Every day, new bodies are recovered, but many remain unidentifiable. Several days after the devastating floods, some are already in an advanced state of decomposition. Faced with the influx of remains, authorities have begun burying them without formal identification, primarily to limit health risks and the strong odours. FRANCE 24's special correspondents traveled to Bharatpur, in southern Nepal, to one of these burial sites.

"Subtle changes pointing to consumer fatigue" a challenge for fast-fashion retailers, expert says

A federation of European textile associations called Tuesday for an import fee of 10 euros on fashion imports, the latest effort to stem the flood of ultra-cheap competition mainly from China. Speaking with FRANCE 24's Sharon Gaffney, Dr Sheng Lu, Professor at the Department of Fashion and Apparel Studies at the University of Delaware, says that it remains to be seen just "to what extent such measures would push groups like Shein to change their business model", adding that fast-fashion retailers may have to start to contend with "consumer fatigue".

Expert warns of 'hotter summers, more wildfires, more drought and more floods'

One of the world's leading climate scientists has spoken to FRANCE 24 about the extreme heat events of this summer, and in the wake of the catastrophic flooding in Nepal, how other similar events are all but inevitable. Diana Ürge-Vorsatz is professor of environmental studies at the Central European University and vice-chair of the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

Melting Himalayas? Nepal disaster exposes growing risk of glacial flooding

One of the tragic consequences of global warming. Scientists will tell us whether receding glaciers are to blame for last Wednesday’s ice shelf collapse that triggered a catastrophic flood, cascading down more than 3,000 meters from the Chinese border into Nepal.

Glacial flood death toll surpasses 900 in Nepal and Tibet

Rescuers battled mud and debris Monday as the death toll from devastating glacial floods along the China-Nepal border topped 900, with nearly 4,500 people still missing. Rescue teams continued a desperate search for survivors as entire communities were swept away.

Climate crisis pushes French winemakers to bet on warmer future in Brittany and Normandy

As rising temperatures reshape France's vineyards, winemakers are turning to Normandy and Brittany, regions once known for cider, not grapes. Those fleeing harsher conditions in traditional areas like the Loire Valley see opportunity up north, though some warn the same climate volatility disrupting southern vineyards is starting to follow them there.

What justice for Nepal after flooding?

PRESS REVIEW – Monday, August 31: The international press tell the story of a heroic headmaster in Nepal who managed to save more than 1,600 pupils, while the Nepali press lambast a lack of accountability for major polluters. Meanwhile in France, back-to-school season reopens wounds over child sex abuse in before- and after-school clubs. Finally, do ants and bees have a concept of voting?

Nepal: Glacial collapse leaves 3,000 missing

Rescue and relief efforts in Nepal and Tibet have been hampered this Sunday by heavy rain and rising river levels. The latest figures following Wednesday’s flash floods put the death toll at 750, while more than 3,000 people remain missing. Nepal’s disaster authorities are urging rescue teams to “exercise caution”, warning that bad weather, swollen rivers and the threat of further flooding could hamper operations. Shazab Wahlah reports from the town of Bidur.

One dead and around 15 missing as flash flood strikes Grand Canyon National Park

At least one person is dead and more than 15 people may be missing after flash floods struck Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, the National Park Service said on Sunday. Flooding hit the Bright Angel Canyon and Phantom Ranch area on Saturday, prompting authorities to evacuate visitors and search for people who remain unaccounted for.

WorldAug 30, 2026

Nepal: Hopes fade for thousands still missing

Four days have passed since catastrophic floods killed more than 750 people. More than 3,000 people are still missing, and hopes of finding survivors are fading. The situation remains concerning, with more heavy rain and flooding expected across the region. France 24 correspondent Shahzaib Wahlah brings us the latest.

WorldAug 30, 2026

Fridges for humans during heatwaves in Japan

A Japanese company has created a human-sized fridge, and workplaces across the country have been testing it out amid Japan’s current heatwave. Caitlin Brown has the story.

WorldAug 29, 2026

Rescuers grapple with a mountain of challenges after the Nepal-Tibet floods

Emergency services are rushing to find survivors and treat the wounded after a devastating flash flood on the border of Nepal and Tibet on Wednesday killed more than 500 people, with over a thousand still missing. But the remote and rugged terrain, as well as the risk of further flooding from upstream lakes formed by piles of debris, make their work as delicate as it is dangerous.

WorldAug 29, 2026

Mont Blanc ultramarathon trail kicks off amid growing environmental concern

The annual UTMB, the flagship race of the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc week, kicked off on Friday with 2,500 participants. As the race continues to attract more runners each year, local residents are increasingly concerned about its environmental impact.

'They were legends': Humpback whales make spectacular comeback off Brazil's coast

Once driven to the brink of extinction, humpback whales have thrived in the South Atlantic since a worldwide moratorium on commercial whaling came into force in 1986, offering a bonanza to scientists who come each year to Brazil's Abrolhos archipelago to record and study the cetaceans.

El Niño, paired with climate change, 'just makes everything so much more dangerous'

Annette Young is pleased to welcome Gareth Redmond-King, Head of the International Programme at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit. He warns we are entering a period in which climate change is not only intensifying extreme weather but adding greater instability to the climate system itself. Natural phenomena such as El Niño will then amplify, and intensify, that disruption, effectively “fanning the flames of climate change” and making already dangerous extremes even more severe. For Europe, this means that the extreme heat, drought, water shortages, storms and flash flooding we are experiencing should no longer be regarded as exceptional. They are increasingly part of a new normal for which governments remain inadequately prepared.

Nepal-Tibet live: Rescue operations resume after lake overflow risk decreases

Nepalese authorities have resumed rescue operations in the region ‌hit by ‌a devastating flood this week, ‌after a brief suspension due to water breaking through a barrier lake. The devastating flooding in Nepal and Tibet has claimed more than 500 lives and left at least 1,400 missing, with ongoing conditions complicating rescue efforts. Follow our liveblog for the latest updates.

Exclusive - French astronaut describes climate change as seen from space

In her exclusive interview with FRANCE 24, French astronaut Sophie Adenot spoke from the International Space Station about the impacts of climate change and the changing face of Earth.

WorldAug 27, 2026

Drought-hit Danube gives way to mammoth fossil hunt in Bulgaria

As drought in Europe brings river levels to record lows, a group of volunteers scans the dried-up Danube riverbank in northern Bulgaria, not far from where the receding waters revealed mammoth bones in July. About 20 volunteers join an effort in the hope of discovering new fossils or artifacts in a search organised by the Regional Museum of History of Ruse.

WorldAug 27, 2026

Glacier collapse may have caused Nepal-Tibet landslides, experts say

Experts believe a glacier collapse might have caused the catastrophic floods at the border between Nepal and Tibet that killed at least 270 people and left more than 1,000 missing. While initial reports suggested the possibility that an earthquake had triggered the collapse, the US Geological Survey clarified that the tremor was actually seismic energy generated by the collapse of glacial rock and ice, followed by a flow of debris.

WorldAug 27, 2026

Deadly flash floods near Nepal-Tibet border raze villages, leave hundreds missing

Massive flash floods that swept through the Himalayan border regions of Nepal and Tibet on Wednesday killed at least 160 people and destroyed villages and infrastructure, officials said. Hundreds are still missing, including foreign tourists and pilgrims from neighbouring India, as authorities race to send humanitarian assistance to affected communities.

WorldAug 26, 2026

Nile crocodile eggs hatch naturally in French zoo following heatwaves

Ten Nile crocodile eggs at a wildlife park in southern France hatched naturally without the need for controlled incubators, zoo authorities said Wednesday. The natural incubation, a first at the reserve for reptiles, occurred following a series of extreme heatwaves over the summer.

WorldAug 25, 2026

'Bombed by nature': French village deals with aftermath of rare tornado

A rare tornado that swept through the Aude department in southern France devastated the tiny village of Pomas, the mayor said on Tuesday, destroying homes, the town hall and a local school and leaving residents feeling like they are living through "a wartime situation".

WorldAug 25, 2026

Around 40 injured after tornado tears through village in the south of France

A village in the south of France has been hit by a tornado causing significant damage in the village of Pomas. It injured 41 and affected about 300 homes. The region was under thunderstorm alert.

Thousands rally in Sweden to protest climate policies ahead of general election

Some 10,000 people rallied in Stockholm on Sunday to demand stronger action on climate change, weeks before Sweden’s general election. Climate campaigner Greta Thunberg joined the rally, as organisers accused the government of weakening emissions policies and urged politicians to act faster to meet Sweden’s climate targets.

How will European politicians react to a summer of extreme heat?

Europe this summer has had to face record breaking temperatures, which caused droughts, deaths, and caused devastating wildfires. While the latest heat dome has dissipated, the damage remains – the continent continues to be the fastest warming globally. Will this summer serve as a global climate reckoning? Answer with Stefan Eye-cot, professor of sociology at the University of Hamburg.

The week in pictures: a French woman in space, wildfires in Europe and the war in Ukraine

Russian drones carry out deadly strikes in Ukraine, astronaut Sophie Adenot becomes the first French woman to spacewalk, fires rage in Belgium and across Europe, and torrential rain hits the Philippines: FRANCE 24 takes a look at the week's most striking images.

Europe: Raging wildfires scorch large swaths of the continent

Firefighters across Europe battled multiple fires August 14 as a new wave of record-breaking heat baked a swath of the continent. The historic temperatures are linked to human-caused climate change, and are hitting countries better suited for long cold seasons and ill-equipped for such extreme heat, with limited air conditioning.

In Nepal, residents learn how to live alongside wild animals

Over the past five decades, Nepal has established itself as a model for wildlife conservation. Nearly 20 percent of the country’s territory has been designated as protected areas. An effective anti-poaching policy has helped save iconic species such as the one-horned rhinoceros and the gharial crocodile, which were once on the brink of extinction. But this success also comes with tragic consequences.

European drought shrivels crops despite farmers’ best efforts to adapt

The drought roasting much of Europe this summer is taking a heavy toll on crops across the continent, from potatoes in the Netherlands to corn in Bosnia. Triodos, a Dutch bank with a focus on sustainability, has warned that this could reduce gross domestic product across the EU by 1 percent for 2026 – or around €180 billion.

Oil spill from grounded tanker reaches Oman’s mainland beaches

Oman’s Environment Authority said Wednesday that oil leaking from a tanker grounded off the country’s coast had reached mainland beaches. The spill threatened marine habitats and a nearby protected area as strong winds and monsoon currents spread the oil, raising fears it could reach other islands.

Colombia: Bogota's search for survivors continues

The search for survivors continues in Colombia, more than 48 hours after a 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck the country. More than 200 people have been confirmed dead, while more than 2,000 are reported missing. The new president, Abelardo de la Espriella, has declared a state of emergency, as many people remain without clean drinking water or electricity and several major highways are still closed. Carys Garland’s report begins with the dramatic rescue of a man from the wreckage of his home.

Belgium wildfire scorches 3,000 hectares as villagers evacuate, EU sends aircraft

Firefighters in Belgium battled one of the country's worst-ever wildfires late on Saturday as a rapidly growing blaze scorched more than 3,000 hectares of land. The EU scrambled helicopters and water bombers as hundreds of villagers were under evacuation orders.

Flood in rural northwestern Spain kills two, injures two babies

Two women were killed and two babies were injured when torrential rain sparked a flood and a landslide in rural northwestern Spain on Saturday, authorities said. The flood comes after weeks of heatwaves and wildfires in the country.

WorldAug 22, 2026

France's Fontainebleau forest reopens one month after wilfire

Good news for hiking and climbing enthusiasts today: the Fontainebleau Forest just South of Paris is set to reopen to the public. But a month and a half after the terrible fire that ravaged 10% of this unique haven of biodiversity, the disaster is still fresh in everyone’s minds. Portions of the forest remain closed to the public. Story by France 2 and Camille Corcoran.

WorldAug 22, 2026

US : Hawaii narrowly avoids direct hit as Hurricane Lala brings strong weather

Hawaii has narrowly avoided a historic direct hit from Hurricane Lala, but torrential rain and hurricane-force winds are still causing widespread flooding, mudslides and power outages across the islands. Authorities are urging residents to shelter in place as the storm moves west and dangerous conditions persist.

WorldAug 22, 2026

This year's El Nino set to be strongest in more than a century, UK forecasters say

Britain's Met Office has predicted sea surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific will reach an "unheard-of" level of potentially more than three degrees above average, triggering severe droughts across South America and the West Pacific. Such an event would have serious knock-on effects for global food security.