Jean-Luc Mélenchon announced on Sunday on TF1 that he would be running in the 2027 French presidential election, marking the fourth bid for the leader of the hard-left party La France Insoumise (LFI).

Today is World Press Freedom Day—but there is little to celebrate. The latest index from Reporters Without Borders (RSF) shows this is the worst year in its 25-year history, with the global average score at a record low. For the first time, more than half of all countries are classified as having “difficult” or “very serious” press freedom conditions, and just one percent of the world’s population lives in countries rated “good.” At the bottom, Eritrea remains the most dangerous place for journalists, while Gaza Strip is among the deadliest places to report. To discuss, France 24’s Gavin Lee is joined by Christina Lamb, Chief Foreign Correspondent at The Sunday Times, who is calling for an independent body to investigate crimes against journalists.

Tehran said Sunday the United States would have to choose between an “impossible” military operation or a “bad deal” in the Middle East conflict, after US President Donald Trump warned that he might reject a new proposal from Iran to restart peace talks. Negotiations between the two countries have been at a standstill since a ceasefire took effect on April 8.

Two members of the US Armed Forces participating in the African Lion joint military exercises have been reported missing near the city of Tan Tan in southern Morocco, the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) said on Sunday. A US defence official said the soldiers went missing while on a hike after the day's exercises had concluded.

Marco Rubio will travel to Rome this week for a visit reportedly aimed at easing strained relations with the Italyn government and the Holy See. Both Giorgia Meloni and Pope Leo XIV have faced criticism from Donald Trump, who has publicly attacked the pontiff’s anti-war remarks. Marco Rubio is due to be in the Italian capital during the first anniversary of Pope Leo XIV’s papacy, the first US-born leader of the Catholic Church. France 24 correspondent Seema Gupta reports the latest from Rome.

Israel has carried out fresh air strikes in southern Lebanon. Officials there said at least one person was killed and four others were wounded. The strikes came after the Israel Defense Forces issued new evacuation warnings on Sunday for residents in more than ten villages and towns, including the city of Nabatieh. Residents were ordered to leave their homes and move at least 1,000 metres away to open areas. The hostilities are continuing despite a ceasefire signed last month between Israel and Lebanon, which was intended to halt the fighting with Iran-backed Hezbollah. Israel has accused Hezbollah of repeated violations of the truce. France 24 International affairs editor Shirli Sitbon shares further insights.

French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez vowed on Sunday to crack down on illegal raves as he visited the area in central France where a massive free party was held on a military base despite authorities' warnings about the risk of unexploded mortars. Organisers said they chose Nunez's hometown of Bourges to protest against a proposed bill increasing penalties for unregistered raves.

Ukraine and Russia exchanged cross-border drone strikes as the war continued. Across Ukraine, at least three people were killed in overnight Russian attacks. Drones struck residential buildings and port infrastructure in the southern city of Odesa, causing significant damage. Strikes were also reported in the frontline region of Kherson Oblast. The Ukrainian air force said Russia launched 268 drones and one ballistic missile overnight. Meanwhile, Ukrainian drones targeted the Leningrad Oblast, hitting oil export terminals. Separate strikes also hit two of Russia’s so-called shadow fleet tankers at the Port of Novorossiysk on the Black Sea. Caroline Baum reports.

Ukrainian drones struck Russia's Primorsk port and a number of vessels in the Baltic Sea on Sunday as part of a wave of attacks targeting Russian energy infrastructure. While Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said the strikes limit "Russia's war potential", Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that global oil prices may rise further if ​Ukraine continues to hit Russian oil infrastructure.

Shakira gave a free concert on Saturday night at Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, drawing an estimated two million people, according to the city’s mayor, to one of the world’s most iconic waterfronts. Camille Corcoran reports.

US carriers are stepping in after Spirit Airlines announced on Saturday that it had cancelled all flights and was winding down operations. The budget airline said soaring fuel costs were a major factor, after a last-minute White House rescue package failed to materialise. American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and JetBlue have all said they will offer special fares to stranded Spirit passengers whose flights were cancelled. Several of the airlines also said they would consider hiring former Spirit Airlines staff who have now lost their jobs. Faculty Lecturer, Aviation Management programme coordinator at McGill University, John Gradek shares further insights.

Workers across the world marched against the rising cost of living, King Charles III became the first reigning British king to visit the territory of Bermuda and Mali mourned the killing of defence minister Sadio Camara as a joint jihadist-separatist offensive shook the state: FRANCE 24 looks back at some of the week's most striking images.