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AI on the ballot? Voters in US midterms revolt against data centres

20 October 2026 at 23:45
Two weeks out from the Midterm elections, there’s bipartisan pushback against data centers that suck the water and power out of communities. Just two years ago, ChatGPT was still a brand new thing, and AI was admired with awe by most voters. Like in 2024, the hot button issue in swing constituencies remains inflation or ‘the price of eggs’. But anxiety over the end of the month is now coupled with anxiety over the end of the world. In 2026, bots and large language models write papers and churn out campaign ads. We'll ask about calls for regulation despite fierce resistance from tech billionaires and whether the latest wobbles from the stock market signal that the race to corner the market and scale up at warp speed may be running out of road.

Lula's campaign seeks to disqualify Bolsonoro from Brazil presidential vote over Meta 'interference'

20 October 2026 at 21:59
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s campaign is preparing to request the annulment of right-wing rival Flavio Bolsonaro's candidacy over alleged social media interference from US tech giant Meta as Brazil’s presidential race intensifies ahead of Sunday’s runoff. The petition that will be submitted to the country's top electoral court claims "algorithmic manipulation" by Meta to suppress Lula's campaign content and boost Bolsonaro.  

Trump campaigning in Republican strongholds amid slide in polls

20 October 2026 at 21:13
With the midterm elections fast approaching, US President Donald Trump is stumping for candidates in states that he won by double digits in 2024. Despite what he says, it’s a sign of what Trump and the Republican party are fearing: with polls showing GOP support slip drastically even in some deep red states. FRANCE 24's Monte Francis has more.

US midterm elections: Trump approval rating falls to new low

20 October 2026 at 16:22
With US President Donald Trump’s approval rating falling to a record low of 31%, Republicans are facing mounting concerns ahead of November’s midterm elections. Republicans are at risk of losing control of the House of Representatives, but how big could the Democrats’ gains be? FRANCE 24’s International Affairs Editor Kethevane Gorjestani explains.

Alberta votes to remain part of Canada in victory for PM Carney

19 October 2026 at 15:45
Voters in oil-rich Alberta overwhelmingly backed remaining in Canada in the province's first-ever referendum on separation, with early results on Tuesday delivering a boost to Prime Minister Mark Carney’s push for national unity amid US President Donald Trump’s trade war and annexation threats.

Received — 19 October 2026 ⏭ France 24 - Americas

Brazil court orders Meta to prove it gives Lula, Bolsonaro campaign content equal treatment

19 October 2026 at 15:16
Brazil’s top electoral court has given Meta 24 hours to prove it is treating campaign content from incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Senator Flavio Bolsonaro equally on its online platforms, threatening a daily fine for noncompliance. The ruling follows allegations from Lula's campaign that the social media giant is suppressing Lula’s campaign content ahead of Sunday’s closely contested presidential runoff.

Brazil's Lula, Bolsonaro clash in bitter debate ahead of election run-off

19 October 2026 at 04:42
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and right-wing senator Flavio Bolsonaro traded personal attacks in a heated presidential debate on Sunday, a week before a closely contested run-off. The rivals accused each other of lying and corruption while clashing over the economy, security and healthcare ahead of the October 25 vote.

Canadian military base fire kills at least four, injures dozens

18 October 2026 at 23:16
Four Canadian service members were killed and 39 people hospitalised after a fire broke out during military training at a base in Alberta on Saturday, officials said. Premier Danielle Smith said Sunday that at least 19 patients were in critical condition, with some suffering severe burns requiring prolonged intensive treatment.

Received — 18 October 2026 ⏭ France 24 - Americas

Atlanta’s iconic tavern marks Georgia’s past with an eye on future as midterms approach

18 October 2026 at 12:15
Since it was established in 1956, Manuel’s Tavern in Atlanta has hosted legendary Democratic leaders while its founder played a key role in the city’s move from a Republican to Democratic stronghold. With the state’s Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff leading the polls in the midterms amid rumours of a future presidential run, the tavern is once more at the heart of the political action.   

Rubio says Trump to 'analyze' global impact of Russia sanctions during pause

18 October 2026 at 03:39
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Saturday that US President Donald Trump’s decision to waive sanctions and tariffs on Russia would last 60 days, as the move drew bipartisan criticism and raised fears in Ukraine that Washington could ease further restrictions on Moscow.

‘Standing up for democracy’: Atlanta ‘No Kings’ rally draws Trump critics ahead of midterms

18 October 2026 at 02:50
“No Kings, Vote Now” was the theme of a rally in Atlanta, one of many organised across the US on Saturday. While many demonstrators denounced US President Donald Trump’s policies, organisers said the rally was aimed at getting out the vote in the November 3 midterm elections and protecting democracy in America.

Received — 17 October 2026 ⏭ France 24 - Americas

Trump waives fresh sanctions against Russia in new low for Ukraine ties

15 October 2026 at 12:47
US President Donald Trump on Friday put a sweeping package of sanctions and tariffs targeting Russian energy revenues on hold, saying the waiver was in the country's national interest. The relationship between Washington and Kyiv has been fraying since Trump struck a deal with Moscow to ease sanctions in exchange for Russia flooding the global market with diesel to bring down fuel costs.

Received — 16 October 2026 ⏭ France 24 - Americas

Embattled new White House Press Secretary Zacharia 'let go' from her role

16 October 2026 at 16:57
A White House Press official said Friday that Secretary ​Katie Zacharia was "let go" from her role after US President Donald Trump signaled she was on her way out, a week after he picked her for the post. Zacharia's credentials as an attorney had come under scrutiny and she admitted to not having passed the bar in an interview with Fox News on Thursday.

'Thanks a lot, Trump': Wyoming conservatives divided ahead of US midterms

16 October 2026 at 13:48
Famous for its cowboy culture, Wyoming is the least populated, the most rural and the most conservative of all the US states. With two weeks to go until the midterm elections, our reporters James André and Sylvain Rousseau travelled across this Republican stronghold and found that the party of US President Donald Trump is deeply divided in the Cowboy State. 

No, this oil tanker didn’t carry Russian diesel to the United States

16 October 2026 at 09:36
Following US President Donald Trump's October 9 announcement of an agreement signed with Russian President Vladimir Putin to import Russian diesel into the United States, a number of pro-Russian social media accounts began claiming that a Russian oil tanker was already carrying thousands of barrels of diesel to the United States. The ship was actually carrying fertiliser. 

Received — 15 October 2026 ⏭ France 24 - Americas

Fake AI images of protester go viral after woman punched at Trump's Ohio rally

15 October 2026 at 20:47
A protester who heckled US President Donald Trump at his midterm rally in Youngstown, Ohio, was physically assaulted and removed from the event, but fake AI-generated photos recreating the incident are going viral online. The images carry digital watermarks identifying them as AI-generated. While footage confirms the woman was punched, there is no evidence to support Trump's claim that the protester was "paid" to disrupt his speech, as he mocked her weight. Vedika Bahl explains in Truth or Fake.

Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro and wife Cilia Flores deny US torture charges as 'false accusations'

15 October 2026 at 19:11
Ousted Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores pleaded not guilty on Thursday to new torture charges brought against them by US authorities, calling them “false allegations". The couple has been held in a New York jail since their capture in early January and is facing a new indictment accusing them of conspiring to torture political opponents and US citizens.

'We're done': Ukraine resumes strikes on Russian oil refineries as 'only leverage' for peace talks

15 October 2026 at 17:14
Delano D'Souza is pleased to welcome Peter Zalmayev, Founder and Director of the Eurasia Democracy Initiative, LIVE from Kyiv. As Zelensky declares Ukraine "done" with Trump's self-declared energy ceasefire and resumes strikes on Russian oil refineries, Zalmayev warns: "When you talk about the energy ceasefire, it presupposes two to be able to tango and to dance this dance." He challenges the legitimacy of Trump's unilateral announcement, made without agreement between Moscow and Kyiv, as Russia continues attacking Ukraine's energy infrastructure. Yet he cautions that Zelensky may need tactical restraint to preserve vital US support. Zalmayev also examines Western sanctions, frozen Russian assets, and Washington's pursuit of economic normalization with Moscow without meaningful Russian concessions.

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