Farmer protests spread across rural France; one dead in roadblock accident January 23, 2024 at 12:01AM

French farmers expand roadblocks, causing traffic jams; unions demand lower costs and regulation. Outrage spills over from neighbouring countries as EU elections approach. President Macron's new prime minister, Gabriel Attal, faces his first major challenge. Convoys of tractors block roads, including A7 motorway. Woman killed in car accident at roadblock. Farmers protest price pressure from retailers and environmental regulation.

Blinken to meet key West African presidents to rally support January 22, 2024 at 11:30PM

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is on a trip to Africa, meeting with the presidents of Nigeria and Ivory Coast. In Abidjan, he met with Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara, known for consolidating democracy. Blinken will also visit Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, elected on a platform of economic reforms. These West African powers have supported the US despite continental unease over Ukraine and US-Israel relations.