Western Europe

Illegal hunting threatens songbird prized as delicacy: study

About 300,000 of the birds pass through southwestern France, where they fall prey to hunters who for decades have defied bans on harvesting them in the name of gastronomic tradition.

Austria’s far-right party FPOe withdraws support from government coalition

The alleged video scandal puts the government in crisis, with Chancellor Kurz dismissing the far-right interior minister. Now the far-right wants to vote against their former partner. Can the ruling party survive the backlash?

Austria's Kurz faces no-confidence vote after scandal

Footage, published on Friday in German media, shows far-right party leader and Vice-Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache appearing to offer public contracts to a fake Russian backer in return for election campaign help.

Former F1 champion Niki Lauda dies at 70

Three-time Formula One world champion Niki Lauda, who won two of his titles after a horrific crash that left him with serious burns and went on to become a prominent figure in the aviation industry, has died. He was 70.

Women honoured at Cannes, as gender parity drive draws scrutiny

Actors and filmmakers participating in this year's Cannes film festival have joined activists in warning that while industry attitudes were changing towards gender equality, progress was still slow.

Eiffel Tower climber held by police after sparking evacuation

The man, who was not immediately identified, "is in the hands of the emergency teams" deployed to the tower, which will reopen to visitors as normal early on Tuesday, the company operating the structure said.

Turkey's first lady to address WHO event

As the guest of honour of the World Health Organization (WHO), Turkey's first lady Emine Erdogan is set to speak about women's and children's health at a panel discussion in Geneva.

Austria announces snap election after far-right video scandal

Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz announced the snap poll for September after a German newspaper published covertly filmed footage featuring his far-right coalition partners offering government contracts to purported Russian businesswoman.

Austrian president calls for September snap elections

The announcement came after a dramatic 48 hours in Austrian politics which saw far-right Vice-Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache resign in disgrace following explosive revelations in a hidden camera sting.

Film crew protest Argentina abortion law on Cannes red carpet

The protest comes as a battle continues to legalize abortions in Argentina, where terminations are currently only permitted in cases of rape, or if the mother's health is at risk.​

Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz calls for snap election

Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz called for an early election after Vice Chancellor Heinz-Christian Stracher resigned following a video scandal.

Cannes contender wants to see more black actors on screen

Director Mati Diop, whose debut feature film “Atlantics”, set in Senegal, evokes the impact of migrant journeys on those left behind, said she was also driven by a desire to see black lives represented on screen.