PRESS REVIEW – Thursday, April 30, 2026: First, the Golders Green attack features on all the British front pages. Next, King Charles's speech to the US Congress is hailed as a master class in subtle diplomacy. In Germany, papers discuss the latest feud between the US president and the German chancellor. Finally, a stranded whale gets a new home.

Several women were sexually assaulted during a traditional festival in Nigeria’s Delta state in March 2026. The Alue-do fertility festival is celebrated by members of the Oramudu community to help married women having trouble getting pregnant. At certain points, the ritual calls for single women to stay inside. Community leaders said the event was “hijacked by hoodlums” from outside who didn’t understand the tradition and began assaulting women in the streets.

Pete Hegseth faced sharp criticism in Congress over launching the Iran conflict without approval, as Democrats condemned the war’s justification and its estimated $25 billion cost. Meanwhile, Donald Trump rejected Iran’s proposal on the Strait of Hormuz, leaving negotiations at an impasse while Tehran seeks international support.

In this edition of French Connections, Genie Godula and Florence Villeminot continue their tour of Paris with a stop in a massive Parisian arrondissement – the 17th! We get a behind-the-scenes look at Napoléon's iconic Arc de Triomphe and discover the man who helped shape the 17th and most of Paris: Baron Haussmann. Whether it's Haussmannian apartment blocks or a giant glass tower dominating the landscape, the 17th also has some of the most diverse architecture in the French capital. Join us as we take you on a tour of this underrated district of Paris.

Brent crude has jumped to its highest level since the start of the Ukraine war after US President Donald Trump signalled that the American blockade on the Strait of Hormuz could last for months. Also in this edition: the US Federal Reserve prepares for a new chief as its board tries to maintain political independence, and French oil giant TotalEnergies faces calls for a windfall tax amid soaring profits.

The Supreme Court of the United States struck down a majority-Black congressional district in Louisiana, ruling it relied too heavily on race and weakening protections under Voting Rights Act of 1965. The 6–3 decision, driven by the court’s conservative majority, is expected to make it harder for minority communities to challenge discriminatory maps, with critics warning it could reduce representation and benefit Republicans in future elections. FRANCE 24's international affairs editor Kethevane Gorjestani has more as midterm elections are approaching.

Donald Trump says a US naval blockade on Iran could last for months, as the standoff between Washington and Tehran continues. The crisis has disrupted oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz, sending prices to multi-year highs. FRANCE 24's correspondent in Tehran, Reza Sayah, has more.

Israel has expanded its military zone in Gaza to cover nearly two-thirds of the territory since the October ceasefire. While the army says restrictions support aid efforts, Palestinians fear displacement and a long-term Israeli presence amid ongoing violence.

Tensions between Hezbollah and Israel are escalating after a reported breach of the “yellow line,” with Israel threatening further strikes. Talks between Iran and the US remain stalled, complicating efforts to contain the situation. Meanwhile, Israel faces a growing scandal over alleged grain imports from Russia linked to Ukraine.

As the Kenyan peace force is set to leave Haiti, Nadia Massih is pleased to welcome Dr. Rosa Freedman, Professor of Law Conflict and Global Development at the University of Reading. She argues that the crisis in Haiti reflects deep structural failures, not just “gang violence.” She calls the Kenyan mission “a profound failure from the outset” and says “anyone… who understands Haiti knew that this was doomed to failure.” Gangs, she notes, are “not a homogeneous group of criminals” but part of “layers of collusion and corruption.” Ultimately, she urges “Haitian solutions for Haitian problems,” warning that without addressing root causes, including "to remedy the sovereign debt that has left it in this dire financial situation," interventions will keep failing.

A French 18-year-old is facing mischief and public nuisance charges in Singapore after he posted a video to social media of him licking a straw from a vending machine and putting it back. The teen, who has not entered a plea, was charged after the company operating the juice machine filed a police report.