Journalist with @aljazeera formerly @France24 @euronews and broadcasting from Beijing. 20th century Trekkie.
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Articles by Alexander Aucott
Cape Verde recovers from deadly floods caused by Storm Erin
To display this content from YouTube, you must enable advertisement tracking and audience measurement. One of your browser extensions seems to be blocking the video player from loading. To watch this content, you may need to disable it on this site. In South Africa, a study has found traces of anti-retroviral drugs used to treat HIV in the country's rivers and tap water. This is a sign of the local authorities' inability to keep water sources clean.
A record 81 presidential candidates in Cameroon
To display this content from YouTube, you must enable advertisement tracking and audience measurement. One of your browser extensions seems to be blocking the video player from loading. To watch this content, you may need to disable it on this site. Also, despite the region witnessing a recent surge in jihadist attacks, the town of Monguno in Nigeria's northeastern Borno state has remained largely secure thanks to a reinforced military presence.
DRC and M23 rebels sign ceasefire deal
To display this content from YouTube, you must enable advertisement tracking and audience measurement. One of your browser extensions seems to be blocking the video player from loading. To watch this content, you may need to disable it on this site. The Democratic Republic of Congo and M23 rebels have signed a ceasefire deal in Qatar to end fighting between the warring sides.
Sidelining AfD in German parliament a sign of 'weakness' of traditional parties, analyst says
To display this content from YouTube, you must enable advertisement tracking and audience measurement. One of your browser extensions seems to be blocking the video player from loading. To watch this content, you may need to disable it on this site. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which almost doubled its number of MPs in elections a month ago, suffered its first setback on Tuesday when it failed to win any top positions in the new parliament.
The World This Week - Battle for Bakhmut: Russia closing off last access routes to city
French President Emmanuel Macron is on a charm offensive in Africa visiting four nations in the continent as he tries to reset relations with former colonies that have become strained. He began in Gabon moving on to Angola, Congo Brazzaville, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The French military has been heavily involved in anti-Jihadist operations in the Sahel region of West Africa for the best part of a decade but Mali and Burkina Faso have asked those troops to leave.
Anti-immigrant Sweden Democrats leader eyes right-wing election victory
"Right now it looks like there will be a change of power," Jimmie Akesson said in a speech to party members. Sweden's right bloc inched into the narrowest of leads with around three-quarters of votes counted after Sunday's general election, with results pointing to a new government after eight years of Social Democrat rule. The figures show the Moderates, Sweden Democrats, Christian Democrats and Liberals winning 175 seats in the 349-seat parliament against 174 for the centre-left.
Swedes head to polls in tight election race marked by crime
Swedes vote Sunday in legislative elections that will either pave the way for an unprecedented right-wing government supported by the far-right or a third straight mandate for the ruling Social Democrats.
Ukrainians pay heavy toll as Russia targets strategic city of Mykolayiv
/ Europe On the Ground Issued on: 09/03/2022 - 09:16 01:46 A nurse tends a Ukrainian soldier in Mykolayiv hospital, Ukraine, on March 8, 2022. © FRANCE 24 screengrab. | 1 min Mykolayiv, a strategic city close to the southern port of Odessa, has been under intense fire by Russian forces. Some 160 Ukrainian soldiers have been admitted to a local hospital, but most of those wounded and killed are civilians.
US Supreme Court blocks Biden’s vaccine-or-test mandate for big businesses
The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday blocked President Joe Biden’s COVID-19 vaccination-or-testing mandate for large businesses – a policy the conservative justices deemed an improper imposition on the lives and health of many Americans – while endorsing a separate federal vaccine requirement for healthcare facilities.
Eye on Africa - Sudan's former ruling party rejects law dissolving it
/ Shows / Eye on Africa Issued on: 29/11/2019 - 23:04Modified: 29/11/2019 - 23:04 Ashraf Shawly, AFP | Sudanese demonstrators hold portraits of President Omar al-Beshir during a protest in Khartoum on March 4, 2009, against the International Criminal Court warrant calling for Bashir's arrest. By: Pierre Delrieu | Alexander AUCOTT In Sudan, the party of deposed president Omar al-Bashir condemns a new law by the transitional authorities.
Dorsaf Ganouati, the first woman to referee a top division match in Tunisia
Exclusive Dorsaf Ganouati made history on Saturday when she became the first female to referee a top-level football match in Tunisia, overseeing a Tunisian league match in the city of Rades. FRANCE 24 reporters caught up with Ganouati just hours before her debut match kicked off. The 33-year-old Tunisian began her football career as a goalkeeper. She started refereeing in 2011 and has been on FIFAs list of international referees since 2015.
Video: Australian, New Zealand troops join France’s Bastille Day parade
The 85 New Zealanders, some wearing traditional Maori dress, and 140 Australian soldiers have been invited to the parade on the Champs Elysées avenue "as part of the centenary commemorations of the Battle of the Somme", General Bruno Le Ray, the military governor of Paris, told a briefing. “This is a great opportunity and I’m very proud to be here today,” Dan Booth of the Australian Royal Navy told FRANCE 24. “My grandfather served on the western front in 1917.
Masked anti-migrant mob goes on rampage in Stockholm
The incident highlighted the growing tensions over immigration in Sweden, a country of 10 million which received 163,000 asylum seekers last year, and came days after a 22-year-old female worker was stabbed to death in a centre for unaccompanied asylum-seeking minors in southwestern Sweden. It was followed on Saturday by a protest in the Swedish capital, in which some 200 people demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Stefan Lofven, and were booed by dozens of anti-fascist activists.
US: Iran nuclear deal leaves military option open
The US Defence Secretary Ash Carter arriving in Israel. has arrived in Israel on the first stop in a Middle East trip aimed at reassuring allies in the region about the Iran Nuclear deal. He is also due to visit Saudi Arabia and Jordan. Carter says he does not expect to he will persuade Israeli leaders to drop their opposition to the accord, but intended to explain some of its benefits. “This is a good deal.
Chadian despot Hissene Habre’s trial to begin in Senegal
The historical trial of the former dictator of Chad, Hissene Habre, begins Monday in Senegal. It is the first time a former despot from one African nation will be put on trial in another. The 72-year-old has been held in custody in Senegal since his arrest two years ago. Rights groups say around 40,000 people were killed during his eight years in power and its been a long road to justice. Habre, who held power between 1982 and 1990, is charged with crimes against humanity, war crimes and torture.
Angela Merkel rules out Greek debt write-off
Angela Merkel has reiterated that the eurozone will not write-off part of Greece’s debt to international creditors. The German Chancellor says the idea of a Grexit is now off the table barring a “chaotic situation” in which finance ministers all agree that its best. Speaking on German television she said: “Greece has been granted relief. Private creditors were allowed a voluntary debt cut. “Then, we extended (credit) terms and lowered interest rates.
African free trade agreement to be signed in Egypt
The leaders of 26 African nations have been laying the groundwork for an African Free Trade Union in the resort of Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt. Behind closed doors ministers of the three African economic blocs: the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the South African Development Community (SADC), and the East African Community (EAC) have been discussing the deal that is expected to be signed on Wednesday (June 19).
Woman aged 102 becomes Germany’s oldest to receive PhD
A 102-year-old German woman is thought to be the world’s oldest to receive a doctorate. Ingeborg Syllm-Rapoport was not allowed to defend her doctoral thesis in 1938 under the Nazis because she was part-Jewish. The neonatologist, a specialist in caring for newborns, cleared the final hurdle last month by passing an oral exam. Her PhD thesis had been in the field of diphtheria.
Eleven men sentenced to death after fatal Egyptian football violence
An Egyptian court has sentenced 11 men to death for their part in the worst football violence the country has seen. Seventy-four fans were killed at the Port Said stadium in 2012 and more than a thousand injured. Many of those who died were crushed as they ran from a pitch invasion by supporters of the local side al-Masry who were playing their great rivals al-Ahly. Others were thrown from or fell from terraces. The court session was televised live.
Convicted killers use power tools to escape maximum security prison near Canada
In an audacious escape, that has been widely liked to the plot of a Hollywood movie, two detainees have broken out of a maximum security New York prison. State police and other law officials have begun an expansive search; setting up road blocks, monitoring from the air and searching door-to-door. The police have vowed to leave “no stone unturned” in looking for the escaped convicts who they described as dangerous.
World leaders set out agenda for G7
The leaders of the world’s top industrialised nations are gathered in Bavaria for the G7 summit where the Ukraine conflict has been high on the agenda. German Chancellor Angela Merkel welcomed the elected heads of the United States, Canada, France, Britain, Italy and Japan along with the European Council and European Commission.
Turkey votes in parliamentary election that could mean new powers for Erdogan
The Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erogan was among the 54 million voters going to the polls on Sunday in what is expected to be the closest parliamentary election for more than a decade. The ruling Justice and Development AK party, which he used to lead, is hoping to extend the majority it has enjoyed for the last 13 years.
Ukraine tops G7 agenda as leaders arrive
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has topped the agenda as the leaders of the world’s richest countries gathered for the annual G7 summit. The German chancellor welcomed world leaders to the meeting in the Bavarian alps. Russia has been excluded this year because of its annexation of Crimea and the US president put standing up to Russian agression in Ukraine among his key points up for discussion.
Kurdish HPD rally blast confirmed as bomb
Turkish security forces say a gas canister wrapped with ball bearings caused at least one of two deadly blasts at a Kurdish election rally on Friday. Officials say two people were killed and at least 100 injured. The crowd soon blamed Turkey’s President for the attack; chanting that he is a killer. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan described the blasts as a “provocation” designed to undermine peace.
Yangtze cruise ship death toll rises to 396
The death toll from a cruise ship that capsized on the Yangtze river has risen to 396 according to a Chinese government spokesman. Only 14 of the 456 people on board have been found alive, including the captain, after the Eastern Star overturned in what was described as a freak tornado on Monday night. It took until Friday to right the four-deck vessel and it has now been raised from the riverbed as searches continue.
Stricken Chinese cruise ship righted in Yangtze as dozens of bodies brought ashore
Chinese rescue teams have successfully righted a battered cruise ship which capsized Monday on the Yangtze river. The Eastern Star overturned in a freak tornado during the night its claimed. It had 456 people on board but only 14 have been rescued alive so far, including the captain. The operation to right the vessel was hampered due to the large numbers of bodies still in the water. Only around 100 have been brought ashore so far.
Early election warning if Greece’s creditors refuse to soften terms
Far-left factions within Greece’s government have said early elections may be called if international lenders do not soften their terms for a cash-for-reforms deal. The warning came from Deputy Social Security Minister Dimitris Stratoulis, a hardliner within the governing Syriza party, as Athens continues negotiations with its international lenders.
German rail strike ends as GDL and Deutsche Bahn agree to begin arbitration
German trains are set to start rolling again after the GDL union agreed to begin arbitration with rail operator Deutsche Bahn. The GDL-Union Chairman Claus Weselsky says one of the key sticking points has been solved and they will now be able to have their own separate agreement from the larger rail union the EVG. “GDL got what it had demanded all along,” said Weselsky.
Stranded Yemenis return home as UN peace talks are announced
With peace talks on the horizon a few of the thousands of Yemenis stranded abroad have made it back to the capital Sana’a. Two planes: one from Egypt and one from India, arrived on Thursday. Daily flights are now planned until the end of the month providing relief for those stranded after the Saudi-led coalition imposed an air and sea blockade.
ISIL controls more than half of Syria after seizing Palmyra
More than 100 Pro-Syrian government fighters have been reported killed as ISIL captured all of the historic city of Palmyra according to the British-based Syrian observatory for Human rights. The Islamic extremist group has control of the military airbase, prison and intelligence headquarters and have also entered the city’s historic sites, though there are no reports of destruction so far. The taking of Palmyra means that more than half of Syrian territory is now under ISIL control.
Portuguese authorities investigate alleged police brutality against Benfica fan
Portuguese authorities have launched an official investigation after a video of alleged police brutality went viral. Jose Magalhaes says he had been allowed to leave a football match early with his 66-year-old father and two sons, aged nine and 13, because they were being crushed by the celebrating Benfica fans. Their 0-0 draw in the away match meant they had won the title. The video has been played widely on Portuguese TV and social media and caused a national scandal.
German train drivers begin open-ended strike
German train drivers have announced their ninth strike in 10 months due to an ongoing dispute with rail operator Deutsche Bahn. Freight trains shut down at 3pm on Tuesday (May 19) with passenger trains stopping from 2pm Wednesday. The GDL union, representing 20,000 drivers, has not given a date for when the strike will end but says it will give 48 hours notice. In Germany 5.5 million people travel by train every day and 620,000 tonnes of freight is moved.
Residential building inferno kills 16 in Baku
At least 16 people have been killed and dozens wounded in a fire that ripped through a residential building in Azerbaijan’s capital, Baku. Emergency services used cherry pickers and helicopters to rescue residents from the 16 story building while trying to quash the flames with fire hoses. The victims were said to be mostly women and children with at least one jumping from a window to escape the flames. Bad quality plastic paneling that covered the exterior is being blamed for fueling the inferno.
Shi’ite militiamen readying for Ramadi recapture
The battle for Ramadi looms as thousands of Shi’ia militiamen reportedly massed to the East of the Iraq city. The fall of the capital of Anbar province to ISIL on Sunday was a devastating blow for the Iraqi government and has led many to question the military strategy of the US-led coalition. There had been fears that the use of the Iran backed militias in the mostly Sunni Muslim city might lead to sectarian violence but Washington and Baghdad seem to have run out of options.
ISIL video purports to show Mosul residents celebrating Ramadi capture
ISIL has released a video purporting to show Mosul residents celebrating the taking of Ramadi. The city was reportedly captured by the Islamist extremists on Monday while Mosul, in Northern Iraq, has been under their control since June last year. On the video one man was speaking to the camera says it is only a matter of time before they take the whole of Iraq: “As the Caliph said the day before yesterday, the conquest of Anbar is just the beginning of the conquest of Baghdad, Najaf and Karbala.
UNESCO calls for Palmyra protection as ISIL withdraws from city
UNESCO has said the historic city of Palymra in Syria must be protected. The call comes after intense fighting between forces loyal to President Assad and ISIL militants already caused some damage. The militants reportedly withdrew from the site on Sunday after seizing it a day earlier. Irina Bolkova is from the United Nations organisation which protects world heritage sites. She said: “Palmyra is an unbelievable monument in the middle of the desert. It is a place where we see different cultures.
Shi’ite forces to battle ISIL militants in Iraq’s Anbar province
Shi’ite paramilitaries are to deploy to Iraq’s western province of Anbar after ISIL militants reportedly overran the provincial capital Ramadi. If confirmed it is the biggest defeat for the government in Baghdad for almost a year. The apparent capture of Ramadi puts the militants just over a hundred kilometres from the Iraqi capital.
Iran calls for UN action as Saudi airstrikes resume against Houthis in Yemen
In Yemen air strikes by Saudi-led forces have resumed against Houthi rebel positions in the southern city of Aden after a five-day humanitarian truce expired. This comes as Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif called on the UN to take a more active role, including establishing a presence on the ground to ensure that humanitarian aid could be distributed. “The targets in most areas have been civilian areas and it is regrettable that that has continued,” he said.
Nine killed in Texas biker gang shootout
Nine people have been killed and 18 others injured in a shoot out at a restaurant in Texas. The gun battle between rival biker gangs reportedly began as an argument over parking spaces. Witnesses said the fight at the Twin Peaks Bar and Grill in Waco, started as a punch up and quickly turned into something resembling a war zone. “You could tell that there were numerous rounds exchanged,” said Sergeant Patrick Swanton of Waco Police Department.
Record turnout on the cards for UK election
People are reporting larger queues than they have ever seen before at some of the 50,000 polling stations now open across the UK. That is on top of record numbers who have registered to vote online hinting at a huge increase in participation. Voted as soon as I could this morning. There was even a queue at the polling station at 0700— kirsty richardson (@djkurtle) May 7, 2015 Massive queue for the polling station on campus.
Candidates go to vote in closest British election in a generation
The weeks of campaigning have ended and it’s now time to decide. Millions of UK voters go to ballot boxes today to decide who will lead the country. David Cameron went to mark his paper in his constituency of Witney in Oxfordshire. He will soon find out if he must move out of the Prime Minister’s residence in Downing Street. Hoping to take the keys to the famous black door is the Labour leader Ed Miliband.
Four sentenced to death in Afghanistan for Koran burning killing
A judge in Afghanistan has sentenced four men to death following a lethal attack on a woman in Kabul. The men were part of a mob which killed 27-year-old Farkhunda on a street in the capital on March 19. Judge Safiullah Mujadidi gave eight other men sentences of 16 years while 18 others were found not guilty due to lack of evidence. Farkhunda was accused of setting fire to a copy of Islam’s holy book the Koran. She was severely beaten and then set on fire.
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