2026/08/16 Daily Edition

Industry tracker finds ‘exceptionally warm weather’ has helped boost job listings in hospitality and tourism sector The summer job has staged a comeback this year thanks to the hot weather and a packed calendar of events such as the men’s football World Cup, new UK figures show. Recent months have seen a significant increase in seasonal hiring in sectors such as hospitality and tourism compared with summer 2025, said the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC), which runs a monthly labour market tracker...

Violence in the occupied West Bank has intensified under Israel's far-right Netanyahu government.

An Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has officially become the deadliest in the country's history, data suggests.

Studio Theatre, Edinburgh Rabih Mroué and Lina Majdalanie explore the playwright’s life, and their journey from Beirut to Berlin, in an absorbing show at the Edinburgh international festival Bertolt Brecht termed it “cold execution”. He was thinking of the way the US government, in the era of the House Un-American Activities Committee (Huac), could murder its opponents not by directly killing them but by cutting them off from what kept them alive. Where the cold war was waged without bullets, these cold executions were enacted, for example, on any blacklisted artist who could no longer work in Hollywood. It is an idea picked up by Lebanese artists Lina Majdalanie and Rabih Mroué who use the story of the playwright in exile as a way of thinking about displacement in our own era. Brecht, no doubt seeing the writing on the wall, got out of his native Germany soon after the burning of the Reichstag in 1933. It took him several countries, eight years and a journey across land and sea to reach the US. As Majdalanie and Mroué wryly point out, getting back to Europe after the US questioned his communist affiliations took only a day. At Studio theatre, Edinburgh, until 17 August...

Nearly 300 migrants and 61 alleged facilitators detained during mass migration attempt.

Champions delight manager by ‘winning the first trophy’ Maresca wants Manchester City signings to arrive soon Mikel Arteta said his Arsenal players demonstrated their hunger to defend the Premier League title in their Community Shield triumph over Manchester City. Arsenal, who ended their 22-year wait last season and are seeking to win back-to-back top-flight titles for the first time since 1934-35, beat City 3-0 at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff in Enzo Maresca’s first significant match in charge. Riccardo Calafiori opened the scoring after 24 seconds, the fastest goal in the competition since Bobby Owen’s strike for City in 1968, before Kai Havertz doubled Arsenal’s lead and their captain, Martin Ødegaard, completed the scoring on 48 minutes. The 3-0 defeat represented the joint-heaviest loss for a City manager in their first game in charge, with Harry Newbould the most recent to suffer a three-goal opening defeat – 4-1, also to Arsenal, in 1906. It is also Maresca’s joint-heaviest defeat as a manager in England...

Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim joins Sreenivasan Jain on justice, trade, and a middle power holding superpowers to account.

In 2022, Ukraine asked SpaceX CEO Elon Musk to activate Starlink coverage around Sevastopol to support an attack on Russia’s Black Sea Fleet. He refused, saying SpaceX would become “explicitly complicit in a major act of war”; he later also cited US sanctions covering Crimea. At the moment that mattered, one private actor had the final say. It exposed a question hidden inside every chokepoint. We usually ask where dependence is concentrated: a strait, mineral, technology, network. But three...

Erdogan said Hamas has shown all possible sincere solidarity, while Israel continues aggressive attacks on Gaza.

CCTV from a Palestinian-owned cafe in Iceland shows what appear to be Israeli tourists ripping a framed map of Palestine

His decision to reduce the partnership came after South Korea recently declined to aid his war effort in Iran.

Cameroon defeated tournament debutant Malawi in the final of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday, winning the trophy for the first time. The Indomitable Lionesses, who failed to qualify for the previous edition of the tournament, had lost on their last three appearances in the final – all to 10-time winner Nigeria.

Lula and Bolsonaro appeal to Brazil’s women voters with promises to combat rising femicide and gender violence.

Both sides accused the other of violating the June agreement shortly after it was signed.

Politicians voiced alarm over mental health struggles on carrier, with reports of sailors attempting to jump overboard.

Jared Kushner, President Trump's son-in-law, held a rare meeting with Hamas leadership Sunday in Egypt, in a new diplomatic effort to make progress in the stalled Gaza ceasefire.

Iraq’s Integrity Commission seized of millions in cash and jewelry said to be linked to corruption charges.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said continued Israeli attacks on Lebanon are a source of serious concern.

Additions of Guimarães and Tzolis, plus re-emergence of Ødegaard, mean champions start clear favourites after Community Shield win If this was a glimpse of the Premier League’s new order then the rest had better watch out. By the time Martin Ødegaard sat Gianluigi Donnarumma down to make it 3-0 to the champions, the Arsenal party was in full swing. “Can we play you every week?” their supporters gleefully taunted their counterparts in sky blue. Those in red and white who had made the journey to south Wales could barely believe what they were watching, even if winning the Community Shield is unlikely to spark the same kind of celebrations that were seen on the streets of north London in May after ending a 22-year wait to win the title. Having been forced to settle for three successive second-place finishes before finally reaching the summit, this time it was Manchester City’s fans who had to face the reality of being humbled by their closest rivals. As Viktor Gyökeres had put it beforehand: “Against City? In a friendly? We want to win.” That much was clear from the opening whistle at the Principality Stadium...

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called for the Strait of Hormuz to reopen.

Trump envoy has pushed for disarmament to end any future Hamas role in running Gaza, diplomatic sources tell AFP.

The 19-year-old, who was not a student at the university, was found hiding in a closet on campus, according to police.

Israeli settlers and soldiers besiege Qusra families for eight days, blocking water and aid.

Futurist Max Tegmark wonders why sandwiches are more regulated than artificial intelligence in the US.

Israeli troops have raided the village of Qusra, south of Nablus, in the occupied West Bank.

Former Israeli captive Rom Braslavski asked Ben Gvir to allow him to execute Palestinian prisoners by hanging.

Superstar forward gave his clearest indication yet that he might end his playing career after the current season.

On Friday, Italian police said they'd recovered three paintings stolen from a museum near the city of Parma. By Saturday night, thieves in Sicily had made off with four more masterpieces.

Suppliers could factor water scarcity into charges as part of Ofwat proposal to reduce consumption Water companies could be allowed to raise bills for customers during periods of drought under proposals being considered by the sector’s regulator for England and Wales. Suppliers would be permitted to factor “water scarcity” into bills as part of efforts to reduce consumption under Ofwat’s plans, which are being likened to surge pricing – the practice where private hire firms raise taxi fares at times of higher demand...

Hazel Davis responds to a letter about the regulation and ethics of surrogacy I wish to respond to Lexi Ellingsworth’s letter (Regulation cannot eliminate surrogacy risks, 23 July). I gave birth to a baby for my friends in January. While the baby is living with its parents, my husband and I are the legal parents. We are waiting for our family court date in September to recognise the baby’s biological parents as legal parents. My surrogacy story started when my sister suffered complications following the birth of her first child. After a second difficult birth, the doctors told her that it wouldn’t be safe for her to carry any more children. I became an auntie via surrogacy when my sister’s friend carried her third child. Now my niece is a determined five‑year-old, just as much a part of the family as her older siblings, and I see no evidence that her origins have any impact...

In Saint-Louis, Senegal, traditional pirogue races are keeping alive a centuries-old tradition dating back nearly 200 years. Held in the fishing district of Guet Ndar, the 3.5-kilometre race brings together dozens of rowers and huge crowds, turning the event into both a major sporting competition and a celebration of local culture. But despite the race's popularity and the money it generates, competitors are not paid and are calling for greater recognition for the sport.

Four artworks by Renaissance painter Antonello da Messina have been stolen from the Museo Regionale in Messina, Sicily, overnight on August 15. The thieves took three panels from his Polittico di San Gregorio, depriving the city of part of the only surviving works by the painter still held in his hometown. Italian authorities have launched an investigation. FRANCE 24's Seema Gupta, correspondent in Italy, has the latest.

Government review led by former minister to recommend huge expansion of onsite schemes for those who need support Specialist internships designed to secure work for young people with special educational needs should be put on “turbocharge” to help tackle the growing youth jobs crisis, a government review is to propose. Alan Milburn who is leading a review of young people and work, said supported internships should be scaled up to combat “devastating” joblessness rates for young people with a learning disability, autism or mental illness...

Nearly 200 firefighters are trying to keep the two fires on Salamina apart, Greek media report.

Moroccan migrants are protesting in Ceuta, demanding asylum two weeks after more than a massive migrant surge.

A week after Israeli settlers began besieging Palestinian homes in the West Bank village of Qusra, human rights activist Netanael Hanadaro joined FRANCE 24 to recount what he witnessed there. He said he and other NGO members reached the isolated homes on foot and left food outside for the trapped residents, with the Israeli army saying it would deliver the supplies. Hanadaro described an extraordinary situation in which the homes, located on the outskirts of the village, have been surrounded by settlers while the army works to prevent clashes between the settlers and activists.

Kyiv was hit by Russian strikes on Sunday, killing at least four people and injuring six, while a popular outdoor book market was destroyed. Vendors rushed to the scene to assess the damage, with some saying they had lost their shops and their livelihoods.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi put young people at the heart of his development agenda in a speech marking India’s Independence Day on Saturday. He announced free online coaching for competitive exams and plans to train 10 million young people in artificial intelligence over the next year. The speech comes amid growing criticism of Modi’s Hindu nationalist policies and recent youth-led protests against his government, as analyzed by FRANCE 24's, Jamie Smith-Maillet.

The Iranian military announced on Sunday it would be offering a $30,000 reward for killing or capturing US soldiers, with the bounty doubled if conducted by a woman. There have been no known deployments of US ground troops in Iran during the war except for a rescue mission carried out in April.

Ukraine launched hundreds of drones across Russia, killing at least six people and striking a Wildberries logistics hub.

Hundreds of migrants have again attempted to cross from Morocco into the Spanish territory of Ceuta. This time, Moroccan officials fended them off, raising new questions about the crossing of July 30.

Belgium battling biggest fire in more than a century as flames near German border and 600 people told to evacuate Two people have died in fires on the Greek island of Salamis as firefighting aircraft were called on to help tame the biggest blaze in Belgium in more than a century in the latest wave of wildfires in Europe. The bodies of two people were recovered from the Peristeria beach area of Salamis on Sunday after two fires broke out on the island, a fire department spokesperson told AFP. Hundreds of people have been ordered to evacuate...

The rules will come into force on Monday along with other changes to planning policy.

The devastating hurricane grazes the Big Island in Hawaii in the US, but avoids making landfall.

Israel’s far-right national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has called for nightly killings in Gaza.

Chris Fearne says Europe must look beyond its borders to solve its migration problem.

Southampton will have to get used to being barracked as they travel the Championship this autumn, the Spygate team are set to be everyone’s favourite boo-boys in the second tier. Certainly that was the case in Hertfordshire, with Watford fans and players alike beside themselves after a hard-fought victory, decided by two memorable first-half goals. Watford paid tribute to Kenny Jackett before the match, the one-club legend and local boy hailed with two minutes of applause. As everyone clapped, the cameras remained stubbornly focussed on Tonda Eckert in the dugout. The Southampton manager has the potential to become a pantomime villain as this season unspools. Remaining under investigation by the FA for his part in the Spygate affair, and with the prospect of a potentially heavy sanction to follow, Eckert’s fate has cast uncertainty over his side’s prospects this season and given opponents added motivation...

About 2.5 million people, including Japanese war criminals who fought for the country, are enshrined at Yasukuni.

The works, by Antonello da Messina, were taken as the Sicilian city of Messina held a religious celebration.

Nathan Cofnas, who accused Jason Arday of plagiarism, believes intelligence varies between racial groups.

The Federal Reserve, the ECB and the Bank of England appear unclear on how to tackle inflation amid the Iran war New UK cost of living crisis looms as rising energy bills lift inflation Inflation rates have been falling across the industrialised world, but fears that the Middle East war will raise oil prices means central banks are sitting on their hands when they should be raising interest rates to subdue inflationary pressures. The US Federal Reserve, the Bank of England and the European Central Bank are still smarting from the criticism of their inaction in 2022 when inflation soared above 10% in the UK and eurozone, and over 9% in the US...

The Women's Africa Cup of Nations final takes place tonight in Rabat, with Malawi facing Cameroon in a historic showdown. Speaking to FRANCE 24, sports journalist Charlotte Richardson discussed the growing popularity of women's sport, but also the persistent gaps in media coverage, funding and infrastructure compared with men's competitions. She also highlighted the WAFCON's last-minute postponement earlier this year, saying such a decision would be unthinkable in men's football.

The works were taken overnight without alarms being triggered, raising suspicion of a professional hit.

Israeli settlers encircle Palestinian homes and cut off supplies, leading to a declaration of a military zone.

Houthi missile and drone strikes target Marib and al-Makha, killing at least four people and injuring eight.

Patients treated in tents after earthquake damages Indonesia hospital

Largest recorded wildfire in Belgium forces 600 residents to evacuate as blaze spreads towards German border towns.

A crash involving a bus registered in Poland killed 12 people and severely injured at least 10 early Sunday on a Hungary highway, marking the worst accident of its kind in the country in more than 20 years. Poland will send an emergency aircraft to Budapest, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced.

A broad group of diseases in the agricultural powerhouse is top of mind for the midterm elections In Iowa, one of the key battleground states in November’s midterm elections, just about every political candidate agrees on one thing: something must be done about the state’s rising rates of cancer. The midwestern state has the second-highest rate of cancer nationwide and, together with Utah and West Virginia, is one of only three states where incidences of the disease are rising, according to cancer rate monitoring from the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities...

A solar eclipse seen across parts of Europe, ongoing search-and-rescue efforts in Colombia after a devastating earthquake killed at least 300 people and left hundreds missing, and escalating violence by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank, condemned by the US ambassador to Israel as "acts of terror": FRANCE 24 takes a look at the week's most striking images.