Spelling Bee: Why English is so hard to spell

Since August, a new British ambassador to France has been in post. Menna Rawlings has taken up the job at a time when the two countries have butted heads over various issues, from migration to Northern Ireland to fishing, while still bound together on other international issues – including the COP26 climate summit and as permanent members of the UN Security Council. Speaking to FRANCE 24 in a week when around 1,000 undocumented migrants crossed from France to England in small boats in a single day, she defended British border policy and spoke out about the ongoing disputes over the Northern Ireland Protocol.

The response to the tragic drownings on the English Channel has spiraled into a political spat between France and the UK, delaying proactive solutions to prevent future tragedies.

At least 27 people died as they were attempting to cross from France to England in a rubber dinghy. This tragedy is the result of a collective failure, says Barbara Wesel.

Bilingual schools across France are struggling to find people who can teach in German as English becomes more popular. A group of parents have set up a recruiting agency to help the government.

A German "Public Viewing" is great fun. An English public viewing? Not so much. Rachel Stewart takes a look at some English words that have taken on a whole new meaning in Germany.

In mid-January, French presidential candidate Eric Zemmour said that English should no longer be used in EU institutions post-Brexit. However, English remains an official language of both Ireland and Malta. FRANCE 24's Georgina Robertson takes a closer look at what languages are spoken in Brussels.

Switzerland, Sweden and Finland are just some of the European states that currently maintain a neutral status. But Russia's attack on Ukraine has forced them to reconsider their stance.

Decoding English from spoken to spelled is a tradition that’s almost 100 years old at the Scripps National Spelling Bee. But how did the language get so convoluted in the first place? Lucy Ha has more.

Rwanda is gearing up host the 26th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting from June 20-25 in the capital Kigali. The East African country, which has dropped French in favour of English in schools, wants to use the summit to promote its tourism and hospitality sector. But NGOs that are highly critical of Rwanda's human rights record hope to put this aspect in the spotlight during the event. Our correspondents report.

The British Defense Ministry has said nearly 1,300 people were detected crossing from France in small boats in a day. Nearly 23,000 people have made the crossing this year alone.

Skyrocketing prices for electricity, gas and grain are putting an existential burden on Germany's many bakeries. Only large chains and successful artisan bakeries are likely to survive, said one baker in Bonn.

With political conflict escalating and inflation rising, Tunisians are pessimistic and strapped for cash. Many are considering leaving the country. Others are preparing to protest — again.