Tuesday, July 21, 2026

Minister: Russian firing exercise off UK coast ‘irresponsible’

21.07.2026, DPA

A Russian warship firing its weapons off the British coast on Monday was “performative and irresponsible,” new UK Defence Secrerary Wes Streeting has said.

Streeting also warned “Russia should be in no doubt about the resolve of this government and this prime minister” in his first engagement in the job.

The live-fire exercise took place 40 nautical miles (74 kilometres) off the coast of Plymouth on Monday, the same day Andy Burnham entered government as the new prime minister.

The Royal Navy “continues to track the vessel’s activity closely, and stands ready to protect UK national security,” a Ministry of Defence spokesperson said.

Streeting was asked for his response to the incident, as he welcomed defence ministers from Japan, Italy and Canada to London to discuss the Global Combat Air Programme, a pact between the countries to develop a new generation of fighter jets.

He told reporters: “We should see yesterday’s events as performative and irresponsible. It’s not the first time that Russia has behaved like this, and frankly, it’s the tip of the iceberg of the daily threats that this country faces and our allies face.

“Russia should be in no doubt about the resolve of this government and this prime minister, our resolve to stand against Russian aggression in Ukraine, but also Russian aggression against all of our allies.”

The Russian ship informed HMS Tyne that it intended to conduct gunnery activity before firing the rounds.

It asked the Royal Navy vessel to move to a safer distance, which HMS Tyne did, then started its 30-minute exercise in international waters.

Richard Dannatt, chief of the British Army’s general staff between 2006 and 2009, told Times Radio the activity was another “illustration of the aggressive instinct” shown by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

He added that Putin “wants to demonstrate that Russia’s got muscles that it can flex and it’s not entirely by happenstance that that Russian warship chose to carry out a live-fire exercise on the same day that Andy Burnham became prime minister.”

He continued: “This is an indication from the Kremlin that ‘we’re here and we’re powerful, we’re strong, and what are you going to do about it?’ So it’s a challenge.”

Shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge said he only knows “a very sketchy amount” about the exercise but “in principle, obviously (it’s) very concerning” and “typical bravado from Putin.”

Also speaking on Times Radio, the Conservative frontbencher warned there was “very obviously a lack of surface ships for the Royal Navy.”

He said: “More surface ships, more frigates in our shores, would send a very powerful signal to Putin that we’re not going to tolerate this sort of behaviour.”

Streeting faced questions about defence spending at the press conference.

He said Ministry of Defence leaders have “a firm friend in His Majesty’s Treasury,” where former defence secretary John Healey is the new chancellor.

“I think the prime minister has been clear and will continue to do so that this is a country under his leadership that honours our commitments to our international allies and partners,” Streeting said.

“He recognizes both the challenge of current threats this country faces but also the evolving nature of those threats and the need to invest in defence.”

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham unveils new government, replacing Starmer era

Britain's new Prime Minister Andy Burnham took office on Monday, reshuffling the cabinet to remove allies of predecessor Keir Starmer and appointing John Healey as finance minister, Ed Miliband as foreign minister and Wes Streeting as defence minister. Burnham pledged a 10-year plan to tackle cost-of-living pressures and signalled a leftward shift.

Issued on: 21/07/2026
By: FRANCE 24

over image: Britain's new Prime Minister Andy Burnham at 10 Downing Street in London, July 20, 2026 © Kirsty Wigglesworth, AP
05:18

New UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham took power Monday, purging the cabinet of his predecessor's loyalists as he promised a 10-year plan to ease cost-of-living pressures and signalled a tilt to the left.

He immediately got to work after replacing Keir Starmer in Downing Street, holding separate calls with US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky before appointing his ministerial team.

Burnham, 56, pledged to re-industrialise Britain and decentralise power as well as end sleeping rough on the streets after he met King Charles III at Buckingham Palace to become the head of government following Starmer's departure.

The monarch's fourth prime minister since he acceded to the throne in 2022, and Britain's seventh in just over a decade, Burnham said the country needed to show the world it could "regain stability".

Cover image: © France 24
09:39

Accompanied by his wife Marie-France van Heel, Burnham was greeted in Downing Street by resounding applause from supporters, including his mother.

Standing outside his new official residence at Number 10, he vowed to create "a new political model" and "build a new economy".

In his first call with Trump, Burnham underlined his "commitment to defence and security", a UK government spokesperson said.

Trump said he had a "very good conversation" with Burnham and that the two leaders would meet "in the not too distant future".

Burnham "has got a big job ahead of him, but he will be able to do it and, of course, the U.S.A. will be there to help!" Trump posted on Truth Social, noting they discussed trade, military cooperation and demining the Strait of Hormuz.

To Zelensky, Burnham reaffirmed Britain's "resolute commitment" to Ukraine in its defence of Russia's invasion, according to Downing Street.

He also moved swiftly to stamp his authority on the new government by sacking several Starmer loyalists from his cabinet, including Rachel Reeves and David Lammy, while moving some ministers to other jobs and promoting allies.

Cover image: King Charles III welcomes Andy Burnham during an audience at Buckingham Palace, London, July 20, 2026, where he invited the leader of the Labour Party to become Prime Minister and form a new government. © Aaron Chown, Pool via Reuters
01:37

'Stronger and fairer'

Ex-defence secretary John Healey replaced Reeves as finance minister, Ed Miliband became foreign minister and left-wing figurehead Angela Rayner returned to government.

Wes Streeting, who abandoned plans to run against Burnham for the Labour leadership, is now defence minister.

Shabana Mahmood was reappointed interior minister to see through her hardline reforms of Britain's asylum system.

In his brief speech, Burnham said he would "bring forward a new plan for Britain, a 10-year plan", without giving specifics.

Starmer had similarly talked of his intention to lead a "decade of national renewal" before Labour MPs ditched him last month in favour of Burnham, who only returned to parliament four weeks ago.

Burnham promised to "give people some breathing space now, some help with the cost of living", which he said he would start to announce Tuesday.

He also said his first instruction would be a pledge to "end rough sleeping", a measure he attempted to implement as a regional mayor in northern England, although it was not fully successful.

Other announcements included a vague promise to re-industrialise Britain through public procurement and to build more public housing.

He repeated his belief that "in the 1980s Britain took some wrong turns", as he pledged to decentralise power away from Westminster and "put life's essentials back under stronger public control to make them affordable".

Starmer departed Downing Street with his wife earlier, insisting his two years in office had made Britain "stronger and fairer".

Cover image: Andy Burnham: Who is the new UK prime minister?

'Momentum'

He leaves multiple challenges for Burnham, including a tepid economy, high government borrowing costs, a ballooning welfare bill and irregular migrants arriving in small boats that have fuelled support for the hard-right Reform UK party.

Unpredictable energy prices due to the US-Iran war and volatile relations with Washington under Trump also threaten to buffet his premiership.

Burnham, an MP between 2001 and 2017, has little room to manoeuvre amid high public debt and strict financial rules requiring him to balance government spending against tax revenue.

Starmer led Labour to a landslide election victory in July 2024 after 14 years of Conservative rule, but his premiership became characterised by scandals, missteps and policy U-turns.

Burnham, the ex-mayor of Greater Manchester nicknamed the "King of the North", was parachuted in by Labour after Starmer resigned, with MPs viewing him as the party's best chance of reining in Reform, led by Nigel Farage.

But his swift "coronation" without a contest as Labour leader and now prime minister, by virtue of Labour's huge parliamentary majority, has raised questions about how he will achieve his aims.

Opposition politicians have questioned his mandate and called for a snap election.

French President Emmanuel Macron sent congratulations, urging Burnham to "give new momentum to the partnership" with the European Union.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)

Pharma heavyweights clash over anti-obesity drug ads

Copenhagen (AFP) – Danish pharmaceuticals heavyweight Novo Nordisk said Tuesday it is suing arch US rival Eli Lilly over "false and materially misleading" adverts for its competing weight-loss and anti-diabetes treatments.

Issued on: 21/07/2026 - FRANCE24

Anti-obesity treatments have been a financial windfall for Novo Nordisk and Eli Lily © SEBASTIEN BOZON / AFP/File

The Danish maker of Wegovy and Ozempic complained that the US group -- which makes rival weight-loss treatments Zepbound and Mounjaro -- "intentionally selected outdated studies" that compared Lilly's highest doses against lower doses of Novo Nordisk's medicines.

The US group's ads "deceptively (presented) those results as proof of broad, product-level superiority while burying or omitting critical clinical context," the Danish group said.

Novo Nordisk has developed a molecule called semaglutide, while Eli Lilly developed rival molecule tirzepatide.

The competing drugs are a financial windfall for each of the pharmaceutical giants.

"As new and more effective treatment options become available, people deserve accurate information that reflects the latest scientific evidence and helps them make informed care decisions," said Novo Nordisk's general counsel, John F. Kuckelman.

"Healthcare companies have a responsibility to keep their public claims accurate and current -- ineffective, fine-print disclaimers do not fix the misleading impression created by major national campaigns."

The target of the Danish group's wrath is an advertising campaign that was "aired during recent, widely viewed global sporting broadcasts and on TikTok and Facebook, causing widespread confusion," it said.

Eli Lilly responded to its rival's accusations by telling AFP in a statement that the trial which underpins its advertising, known as Surmount-5, is "the only direct, head-to-head randomised clinical trial comparing tirzepatide and semaglutide in the context of weight management".

An Eli Lilly spokesperson added that "rather than competing on the merits of its products, Novo is asking a court to prevent Lilly from communicating the results of this trial. We firmly stand by our advertising campaign."

Anti-obesity treatments mimic a hormone secreted by the intestines, GLP-1.

They can be used for weight loss and/or to treat type 2 diabetes, the most common form of the disease.

© 2026 AFP

Ali Zalzali’s shows gothic glamour in his début couture collection

Cover image: arts24 © FRANCE 24

Issued on: 16/07/2026

His blossoming, botanical and flowing forms recall the life cycles of plants and humans. Designer Ali Zalzali tells FRANCE 24 about creating his first couture collection, ‘Natura Morta’ and the evocative short film he made to conjure up the universe of these hand-crafted pieces.

In his edition, we consider the contemporary and classical forms espoused by Egyptian artist Youssef Nabil and how technology can complement the human creative process. And from a childhood in Lebanon to studies in Italy and launching his label in Paris, Zalzali tells us how his creations have been influenced by personal experience. Also, we discuss the surprisingly sustainable nature of Haute Couture.

OUR GUEST

Ali Zalzali Designer

BY:

Olivia SALAZAR-WINSPEAR

Laura DI BIASIO

Magali FAURE

Marion CHAVAL

Amélia MARADAS

ANTI LGBTQ+ LAW

Alberta government gives public libraries Jan. 1 deadline to comply with new restrictions

Story by CBC/Radio-Canada

The Alberta government has given libraries around the province until the start of next year to introduce new policies restricting access to materials with sexually explicit images.

The province updated its Libraries Act earlier this month to set a Jan. 1 deadline for libraries to comply and ensure they're not allowing anyone 15 years old or younger to use or borrow materials containing a visual depiction of a sexual act, without a parent or guardian's authorization.

The new restriction applies to books, periodicals, comics and graphic novels, films, TV programs and video games.

Library boards also have until Jan. 1 to determine which materials should be restricted, how to regulate access to them, and where to store them separately from other resources.

Boards must also meet the same deadline to establish how to determine a person's age, and whether a parent or guardian has authorized their access to restricted materials.

The province is calling on boards to introduce policies about issuing library cards to people 15 years old or younger, and on allowing people in that age group to use library computers to access the internet or play video games.

(Zazak Bouarab/Radio-Canada)

Boards are also required to consider how the same age restrictions can be applied to digital resources like e-books.

The restrictions are a result of Bill 28, which was passed in May.

The Coalition of Alberta Public Libraries said this week it's still reviewing the new restrictions.

The Calgary and Edmonton public libraries said they are still reviewing the impact of the new restrictions, too.

Earlier this month, the Canadian Federation of Library Associations said it's working with colleagues across the country to address concerns other provincial governments could introduce similar restrictions.
Rules could put more stress on small libraries

Jack Alarie, press secretary for the Ministry of Municipal Affairs, said no content will be removed from libraries due to the new restrictions. Instead, he said the province wants to ensure libraries continue to be family-friendly, without affecting adults' access to them.

Bill 28 gives inspectors, appointed by the Municipal Affairs minister, the ability to look at any matter related to a library's management, administration or operation. Alarie said this is an expanded scope for inspectors, after they were previously limited to board records.

“It is reasonable that there be accountability for public institutions that are governed by provincial statute and funded by tax dollars,” said Alarie.

Rob Miyashiro, the Alberta NDP's shadow minister for municipal affairs, said the new rules are likely to cost more money for libraries and put extra stress on their staff. He highlighted that it will be especially difficult for small libraries with only a couple of employees.

“It’s something that wasn’t necessary, and the libraries were never asking for this. In fact, the vast majority of public libraries in Alberta already had policies and practices that did what this government wants as an outcome,” said Miyashiro.

"Local decision-making is going to be minimized in favour of a centralized approach by this government."

The province is also requiring library boards that operate a location inside a school to set up a process for the public to ask the board to review whether restrictions are needed on specific materials in these libraries.

Reviews can be asked for by students, parents or guardians, staff and school council members, other members of the public with a connection to the school, and library card holders.

Boards have until Jan. 1 to establish these processes, and must regularly review their resources to ensure they comply with the Libraries Act, and provide reports, on request, to the minister.

Trump signs order imposing new 50% tariffs on certain Canadian goods

US President Donald Trump signed orders on Monday imposing new 50% tariffs on some Canadian goods, citing what the White House called Canada's "discriminatory treatment" of US alcohol, automobiles and dairy products. The tariffs take effect in 30 days, with energy, potash and sector-specific imports exempted, the White House said.

Issued on 21/07/2026
By: FRANCE 24

Global Container Terminals' Deltaport facility in Delta, British Columbia, Canada, July 16, 2026 © Darryl Dyck, The Canadian Press via AP

US President Donald Trump signed orders Monday to impose new 50-percent tariffs on many Canadian goods, claiming "discriminatory treatment" by Ottawa against American alcohol, automobile and dairy products.

The tariffs take effect in 30 days and cover a wide range of goods including wine, hockey sticks and cement, said the White House in a fact sheet.

Trump tapped a little-known legal provision for the new duties – Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930 – which allows officials to take action against countries said to engage in discriminatory trade practices.

Cover image: © France 24
01:46

The latest duties will not apply to energy, potash and goods already impacted by sector-specific tariffs, the White House said.

Crucially, however, they will hit products covered under the US-Mexico-Canada free trade agreement (USMCA).

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said in response that Ottawa stands ready to "intensify" talks with the United States, and has made proposals to resolve disputes and modernise the USMCA.

"This is the latest in a series of unilateral US trade actions that began with the US imposing a series of tariffs in direct violation of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement," he added.

"Canada, as is its right, has merely matched those measures," Carney said.

While Trump has slapped sweeping duties on US trading partners since returning to the presidency last year, these have generally come with broad exemptions for goods entering his country under the North American free trade pact.

His latest actions threaten to further strain ties between Washington and Ottawa, and come just days after he threatened Canada with increased tariffs over smoke from raging wildfires that drifted into the United States.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)

Greeted with boos, Trump lingers on stage to lap up World Cup spotlight

US President Donald Trump brushed off FIFA president Gianni Infantino's efforts to gently guide him off stage after Spain beat Argentina in the World Cup final Sunday, lingering alongside the celebrating team and treating the players to his trademark "Trump dance".

Issued on: 20/07/2026
By: FRANCE 24

Cover image: Spain's midfielder #16 Rodri receives the trophy from US President Donald Trump after winning the 2026 World Cup football tournament final match between Spain and Argentina at the New York/New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford on July 19, 2026. © Franck Fife, AFP
00:30

US President Donald Trump grabbed a share of the spotlight at the World Cup final on Sunday, staying on stage with winners Spain as they lifted the trophy after beating Argentina.

Despite being met by resounding boos as he walked on to the pitch with FIFA president Gianni Infantino, Trump basked in the attention at the end of a tournament he has called "the most successful sporting event maybe in the history of the world".

Trump briefly lingered on stage as Infantino tried to lead him away while the Spanish team held the trophy aloft in celebration.

The 80-year-old US leader even did a quick version of his trademark "Trump dance" in front of the Spanish players.

Spain's midfielder #16 Rodri lifts the trophy with his teammates, flanked by US President Donald Trump (2R) and FIFA President Gianni Infantino (R), after winning the 2026 World Cup football tournament final match between Spain and Argentina at the New York/New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford on July 19, 2026. © Odd Andersen, AFP

Trump had arrived on his Marine One helicopter at the New York-New Jersey stadium to watch Spain and Argentina battle it out for the trophy.

During the game, he sat next to Infantino and First Lady Melania Trump, and stood and saluted for the US national anthem.

Trump said before kick-off that he thought superstar Lionel Messi would give Argentina the edge and talked about his own close ties with Argentina's right-wing President Javier Milei.

But he told reporters afterward that he "wasn't sad" Argentina had lost.

"I would say Spain played better, really," Trump said.

The game also provided a chance for some diplomacy.

Trump said he had spoken to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney – whose country co-hosted the tournament with the United States and Mexico – about wildfires that have sent smoke over the US northeast.

The US leader said he had a "good relationship" with Carney "but maybe they should pay us some damages or something, or we should do some tariffs". The smoke had at one point threatened to disrupt the final.

During the final match, US President Donald Trump could be seen having brief exchanges with the leaders of the World Cup tournament's co-hosts, Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney © Odd ANDERSEN / AFP

Trump said he also spoke to Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, insisting there was "no tension" despite recently lashing out at Madrid for failing to help with the Iran war and falling short on NATO spending.

'It's been amazing'

Trump co-presented the trophy to Spain alongside Infantino.

The match is the first World Cup fixture that Trump has attended, in an unusual move for a leader who relishes public events.

Two US Marine Corps aircraft, with one of the helicopters believed to be carrying U.S. President Trump, fly above the stadium ahead of the 2026 World Cup football tournament final match between Spain and Argentina at the New York/New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford on July 19, 2026. © Paul ELLIS / AFP

But it is far from his first intervention in the tournament.

Less than two weeks ago, Trump infamously phoned Infantino to ask FIFA to suspend a red card against USA striker Folarin Balogun so he could play in a last-16 match against Belgium.

Despite the ensuing controversy over fairness and influence, Trump has hailed the 2026 tournament as the best ever.

"This has been the most successful sporting event maybe in the history of the world. It's been amazing," Trump told a FIFA reception with Infantino at Trump Tower in New York on Friday.

Trump said the 104 games had also helped further popularise a sport in the United States.

"It turned out we were a soccer country, and I think it's going to remain," added Trump, who said his son Barron, 20, was a huge fan of the game.

Trump has hitched his political brand to the World Cup since returning in January 2025 to the Oval Office, where he has hosted Infantino on multiple occasions.

But the run-up to the tournament also hit hiccups from Trump's immigration policies, which saw some fans face visa issues.

At the FIFA Club World Cup championship at the same New Jersey stadium last year, winners Chelsea were left confused when Trump stayed on the podium while they danced after he handed them the trophy.

Trump later claimed he had been allowed to keep the trophy itself in the Oval Office – but FIFA said the version on display was actually a replica.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)

Will football ever be the same? The legacy of a star-spangled World Cup

Argentina Fans

REUTERS - Sahiba Chawdhary

Issued on: 16/07/2026 -
Play (43:31 min)From the show

After a stunning performance in Argentina’s come-from-behind win against England, 39-year-old Lionel Messi secured the defending World Cup champions their second final in a row – much to the delight of organizers. Taking note of Messi’s star power, the US bent the rules to include him on the Inter Miami side in the Club World Cup last year. In this edition we ask: what legacy will there be for the biggest World Cup ever, with its three countries, 64 teams and record-smashing ticket pricing?

What will the world remember from World Cup 2026? Will it be the on-field drama or the American-style packaging of the spectacle: commercial breaks disguised as water breaks, TV cutaways to celebrities during the action and red cards overturned to please the host country's leader? What will the final bring? Will US President Donald Trump be flanked by his Argentinian counterpart and far-right ally Javier Milei? Will they pose with Pedro Sanchez, the prime minister of a left-led Spain Trump has threatened to cut ties with?

Produced by François Picard, Rebecca Gnignati, Juliette Laffont, Ilayda Habip, Riham Mahir, Andrew Hilliar.

OUR GUESTS

Kethevane GORJESTANIFRANCE 24 International Affairs Editor; Former Washington correspondent

Ruben SLAGTERJournalist & Co-author, 'Football Investigation'

Ronan EVAINExecutive Director at Football Supporters Europe

David WEBBERSenior Lecturer in Sports Business and Politics, UCFB

BY:

François PICARD

Rebecca GNIGNATI

Juliette Laffont

Ilayda HABIP

Riham Mahir

Andrew HILLIAR

Trump administration's border barrier project sparks environmental concerns in Texas national park

The Trump administration’s waiver of environmental laws to speed up border barrier construction in Texas’s Big Bend National Park has sparked an outcry from local residents and authorities.

Issued on: 17/07/2026
By: The FRANCE 24 Observers/
Lise KIENNEMANN

Shown at left is the Rio Grande river as it flows through Big Bend National Park. At right, a protest against the construction of a border wall in the park on April 4, 2026.

© Instagram / laiken.jordahl

With sheer cliffs towering hundreds of metres above the waters of the Rio Grande, vast desert landscapes, and rugged mountain ranges, Big Bend National Park in southern Texas is considered one of the most remote parks in the United States.

But this park on the Mexican border has also become a battleground, with strong public opposition to a border infrastructure construction project looming over the area for months, and the waiver of a series of laws to expedite its implementation.

The project is part of US President Donald Trump's massive "One Big Beautiful" tax-and-spending bill passed in May 2025, which allocated $46.5 billion to build a wall along the US-Mexico border. However, this border corridor spans several protected areas, including Big Bend Ranch State Park and Big Bend National Park.

A post from February 23, 2026, opposing the construction of a border wall in the Big Bend Sector. Source: Instagram / @tylerpriest

Shifting plans

Repeated changes regarding the specific types of infrastructure planned for the national park have, in particular, fuelled concern among the project's opponents.

A map published in February 2026 by the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) appeared to show a steel bollard wall construction project along part of the river. The news sparked an outcry from local residents and officials. Opponents warned of the project's environmental and economic toll and pointed to low and declining crossing rates in the Big Bend area.

This video, posted on February 28, 2026, shows residents in Terlingua, near Big Bend National Park, protesting against the construction of a border wall. Source: Facebook/Basecamp Terlingua

The CBP discreetly updated the map in March to indicate it planned to deploy only “detection technologies” within the national park, without making any public announcement about the change.

Information currently available on the CBP website indicates plans to construct new “patrol roads” equipped with “technology” and “vehicle barrier systems” across four separate sections.

This is a screenshot of the CBP website as of July 16, 2026, showing the “smart wall” project within Big Bend National Park. © CBP

In early July, however, Bloomberg reported that a "30-foot (9-metre) border wall” was set to be built in part of the nearby Big Bend Ranch State Park.

When contacted by our team, CBP said it was “not planning to construct a 30-foot-high barrier” in Big Bend National Park or Big Bend Ranch State Park, but rather to deploy “cameras, sensors, roads, and limited low-profile post-on-rail barriers [...] to restrict unlawful vehicle access while utilising existing natural barriers”.

It also said it “conducts environmental and cultural reviews” prior to barrier construction activities, carried out “outreach in the Big Bend Sector”, and is seeking input for the vehicle barrier system project.

Opponents of the project, meanwhile, have been pointing to the CBP’s lack of transparency and the risk that its plans could change again.

“There's a different statement from CBP every day, it seems,” said Laiken Jordahl, a national public lands advocate with the Centre for Biological Diversity, a US non-profit conservation organisation.

This video shows a protest against the construction of border infrastructure, organised on April 4, 2026, in the Santa Elena Canyon, a popular site in Big Bend National Park. Source: Instagram / tylerpriest

‘They're free to inflict as much damage as they want’

These concerns were further amplified on June 9, when the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) waived 28 environmental and historical preservation laws “in order to ensure the expeditious construction of barriers and roads” in a zone that includes Big Bend National Park. Among the waived laws are the Endangered Species Act, the Clean Water Act and the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act.

Jordahl argues that this waiver gives the CBP enormous leeway:

“Just by publishing this notice in the Federal Register, they have eviscerated decades of environmental protections. Environmental law would normally require the opportunity for public comment, input, transparency and require them to consult with experts, whether those are biologists or archaeologists. But empowered by this waiver, they're free to inflict as much damage as they want with no consequences. Nothing like this has ever occurred in a national park.

This waiver explicitly clears the way for the construction of 30-foot-high physical border walls. If they are not moving forward to build a wall, they have stripped the protections, issued the contracts and given themselves all the tools to be able to decide as soon as they get their machines on the ground that they do want to build a wall. And there's nothing that the public could do to stop them. Right now, we're basically relying on the goodwill of the agency. And CBP has never demonstrated any goodwill to the borderlands. It's a really scary time.”

The Centre for Biological Diversity updated an existing lawsuit in mid-June to challenge the DHS waiver, arguing it was unconstitutional.

In two separate letters addressed to the DHS Secretary, several former superintendents of Big Bend National Park and 18 Democratic members of Congress have also expressed their opposition to the waiver, which DHS had justified by declaring the zone a "high illegal entry area".

“There is no border security emergency here that warrants giving CBP unfettered authority to unnecessarily destroy some of the wildest parts of Big Bend or to disregard the overwhelmingly bipartisan will of the people, the actual data showing minimal numbers of border crossings inside the park,” the latter read.

Members of Congress also noted that “the rough terrain of Big Bend itself and Mexican lands to the south form a natural wall deterring illegal activity”.

According to data obtained by former Big Bend National Park superintendent Bob Krumenaker and published by Public Domain, CPB conducted between 100 and 125 arrests annually within the national park in 2023 and 2024.

Images posted on June 12, 2026, show the words “No wall” projected on the Mexican-US border in Big Bend National Park. This is a project by visual artist Joanie Lemercier. Source: Instagram/@joanielemercier

‘Almost nobody is crossing through the park’

Jordahl highlighted the impact a physical wall would have on local ecosystems, notably on bighorn sheep and black bear populations living in the park.

“Wildlife would be unable to access the Rio Grande, which is their main – and oftentimes only – source of drinking water. We've seen that it had devastating impacts elsewhere in Arizona and other places where border walls have gone up.”

However, he said that even the infrastructure currently slated for the national park would not be harmless. Current plans involve building “patrol roads” up to 7 metres wide and vehicle barriers featuring “steel posts supported by continuous steel rails”, with rail heights of 1.2 to 1.8 metres.

“The areas that they want to build these new roads and barriers are extremely rugged. I think the most damaging part of this project is just the amount of dynamite and blasting, bulldozing and scraping of mountain tops.

There is zero justification for any of this. Almost nobody is crossing through the park. And by building these new roads into the most remote stretch of the park, CBP is going to be opening up new smuggling routes.”

These images have been published by CBP. They show examples of a vehicle barrier in Arizona (left) and a patrol and maintenance road in New Mexico (right). © CBP

Congress members also argued in their letter that the “construction of new technology and roads will disrupt the flow of the Rio Grande River, increasing flash flood risk”.
‘In Big Bend, everybody is opposed to this project’

While Jordahl expressed concern about the project, he emphasised that it had generated opposition he “had never seen before”:

“There has been non-stop public outcry from local residents, local businesses, local law enforcement, and even the Republican sheriffs have gone on record opposing this project. In the past, border walls have been kind of a partisan issue: the left was opposed, and the right was in favour. But here in Big Bend, everybody is opposed to this project.”

An installation erected in Terlingua in February 2026 to oppose the construction of a wall in the Big Bend sector. “We support border security but not like this,” one of the signs read. © Facebook / Basecamp Terlingua

Russia-Ukraine war: First half of 2026 sees sharp rise in civilian casualties

The first six months of 2026 saw a steep rise in the number of civilians killed or wounded in the war between Russia and Ukraine, the UN said Tuesday. Both Moscow and Kyiv have increased the number of air strikes targeting vital infrastructure as the Russian invasion grinds into its fifth year.

Issued on: 21/07/2026
By: FRANCE 24

In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Emergency Service, firefighters put out a fire of residential building following a Russian air attack in Sumy, Ukraine, Tuesday, July 21, 2026. © Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP

The United Nations said Tuesday that civilian casualties in the war raging between Russia and Ukraine rose 37 percent in the first half of this year.

"We documented 1,396 civilians killed (and) 7,978 injured ... that amounts to a 37 percent increase from the same period in the previous year," Danielle Bell, head of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, told reporters in Geneva.

Russia and Ukraine – which deny targeting civilians – have stepped up daily strikes on each other in recent months, as US-led talks on ending the nearly four-and-a-half year conflict remain stalled.

The UN rights office decried multiple attacks in recent days causing civilian casualties across Ukraine and in Russia.

"Civilians and civilian infrastructure are strictly protected under international humanitarian law, and any such deliberate attack is a war crime," spokesman Thameen Al-Kheetan told reporters.

How rivalry with a top general brought down Ukraine’s popular defence minister Fedorov

Russia has pounded Ukraine's capital with a series of deadly missile strikes this summer, with June seeing the most civilian casualties in Ukraine since 2022.

Ukraine has also stepped up its long-range strikes on Russian infrastructure in an attempt to undermine Moscow's war effort, including oil depots and refineries.

A Ukrainian drone attack on two key warehouses of Russia's biggest online retailer Wildberries killed eight night-shift workers Saturday. Kyiv accused the facilities of supplying the Russian military with Western-sanctioned drone components, which Moscow has denied.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)

Ukraine plunges into political crisis as anger over defence minister's dismissal grow

Issued on: 21/07/2026 - FRANCE24

Street protests were held for a fifth day on July 19 in Ukraine, over the firing of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. Fedorov was dismissed following frequent clashes with top Army general Oleksandr Syrsky, sparking indignation particularly among young Ukrainians, who credit the tech-savvy 35-year old Fedorov with innovative drone tactics that have given Ukraine new battlefield momentum against the Russian invasion. Fedorov has publicly blamed the 60-year-old Syrsky for his ouster. President Volodymyr Zelensky is now seeking to defuse the mounting political crisis and restore unity to the country's military.

Video by: Bryan QUINN

UN says 144 migrants and refugees reported dead or missing off the coast of Mauritania

The UN refugee agency said Tuesday that 144 people were reported dead or missing following "tragic maritime incidents" off the coast of Mauritania last week. Two children who were brought safely ashore from one of the sinking boats had lost all of their families during the journey from Gambia.

Issued on: 21/07/2026
FRANCE 24

A file photo showing migrants and refugees arriving on board a 'cayuco' boat at La Restinga port on the Canary island of El Hierro on August 28, 2024. © Antonio Sempere, AFP

The United Nations said Tuesday that 144 refugees and migrants were reported dead or missing after "tragic maritime incidents" off the coast of Mauritania last week.

The UN refugee agency UNHCR said that overall, three rescue and disembarkation operations were conducted between July 14 and 18 in Nouadhibou, Mauritania, bringing 387 people of various nationalities safely ashore.

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But 143 people were reported dead or missing on one of the boats, which had departed from Bufalo in Gambia headed for Spain and was rescued on Saturday after nearly 25 days stranded at sea, the agency said.

Only 38 people were brought safely ashore from that vessel, it said, adding that two children who had lost all of their family members during the journey were among the survivors.

Another death was reported on a ship from which people disembarked on July 14, it said.

"The refugees and migrants were reported dead or missing after attempting the perilous sea journey from West Africa towards Europe, highlighting the continued human cost of these dangerous routes," UNHCR spokesman Matthew Saltmarsh told reporters in Geneva.

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Despite rescue efforts, "the Atlantic route from West Africa towards the Canary Islands remains one of the world's deadliest mixed movement corridors due to long distances, unpredictable ocean conditions, unseaworthy overcrowded boats and limited access to timely rescue".

So far in 2026, UNHCR said that 17 disembarkations had been recorded in Nouadhibou and Nouakchott, with a total of 2,147 individuals rescued.

The UN agency reported that the number of arrivals to the Spanish archipelago was down 61 percent from 2025, with 4,400 arrivals as of July 15.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)

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