Messi a free agent as contract talks continue

The Netherlands has always been known as a business-friendly country. But the country looks set to become a lot less hospitable following the result of November’s elections, in which the far right won the most votes. The four parties seeking to form a government have vowed to limit immigration, hitting both high-tech workers and students. Companies have started to voice their concern and some are even threatening to leave the country.

South Africa's coastal city of Durban, known for its popular beaches and warm climate, is facing a severe water crisis ahead of national elections, with residents suffering from prolonged dry taps and poor sanitation services.

Her powerful performances give voice to some uncomfortable truths. Lebanese playwright and director Chrystèle Khodr wades through the ruins of a society in her latest play "Ordalie", exploring the social, political and physical wreckage of her homeland and its history. She tells us more about the quest for justice in contemporary Lebanon, why 19th-century playwright Henrik Ibsen is a fitting contemporary inspiration and how making theatre in a crisis-ridden country is a constant endeavour of creativity and solidarity among artists.

Jan Egeland, secretary general of the Norwegian Refugee Council and a former top UN humanitarian official, told FRANCE 24 on Tuesday that Gaza is "among the worst places in humanitarian history". He described a trapped population enduring "relentless" bombardment since October 2023. With regards to the southern city of Rafah, where an Israeli offensive appears imminent, he said some 1.4 million people were "engulfed in fear and desperation beyond belief".

TikTok and its Chinese parent company ByteDance have filed a petition with a US court, seeking to block a law that forces them to sell the social media app to a non-Chinese buyer or face a ban. They argue the legislation is unconstitutional, setting the stage for a historic legal battle. But first, China's President Xi Jinping has arrived in Serbia on the second leg of his European tour. He expects to receive a much warmer welcome than he did in France.

A security guard who was stationed outside Drake's Toronto mansion was shot, resulting in serious injuries. The incident occurred around 2 am local time, with the assailant reportedly fleeing the scene in a vehicle. Inspector Paul Krawczyk, who is leading the investigation, said it is too soon to determine a motive for the shooting.