# International news from the Americas - France 24 FRANCE 24’s coverage of the political, social and economic issues in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil and across the Americas. Page: Feed: --- ## [Meta sued by US states for hooking and exploiting kids in pursuit of profit](https://www.france24.com/en/americas/20260819-meta-sued-by-us-states-for-hooking-and-exploiting-kids-in-pursuit-of-profit) _2026-08-19 · FRANCE 24_ Meta is on trial for intentionally seeking to addict children to its Facebook and Instagram platforms in pursuit of profit, a lawyer for California said on Tuesday, at the start of a trial that could rehsape some of the most popular apps in the world. ## [ICC says US sanctions on top court members 'undermine rule of law'](https://www.france24.com/en/americas/20260818-icc-says-us-sanctions-on-top-court-members-undermine-rule-of-law) _2026-08-18 · FRANCE 24_ The US on Tuesday imposed sanctions against two top members of the International Criminal Court (ICC) which the court said "undermine the rule of law". The move represents the Trump administration's latest salvo against the court based in The Hague, which was set up in 2002 by the international community to prosecute war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity. ## [Gang leader masterminded Tupac's killing, prosecutor tells jury](https://www.france24.com/en/video/20260818-gang-leader-masterminded-tupac-s-killing-prosecutor-tells-jury) _2026-08-18 · FRANCE24_ Rapper Tupac Shakur was shot dead in an act of gang revenge ordered by a mobster who later boasted of it, jurors heard Monday, as one of America's most anticipated trials got under way, 30 years after the murder. ## [Is Meta deliberately making children addicted to its social media platforms?](https://www.france24.com/en/is-meta-deliberately-making-children-addicted-to-its-social-media-platforms) _2026-08-18 · FRANCE24_ Social media giant Meta, is set to defend itself in a landmark trial. They are accused of knowingly and deliberately designing features which get children under the age of 13 addicted to its platforms. Story by Delano D'Souza. ## [30 years after fatal shooting, Tupac's murder trial underway in Nevada](https://www.france24.com/en/30-years-after-fatal-shooting-tupac-s-murder-trial-underway-in-nevada) _2026-08-18 · FRANCE24_ An unsolved tragedy that shook the music industry forever, enters a Nevada courtroom. The murder trial of former gang leader Duane Davis is now underway in Las Vegas, where prosecutors are laying out what they describe as a deadly act of revenge against rapper Tupac Shakur. Story by Caitlin Brown. ## [Trump pauses controversial border construction in Texas national park](https://www.france24.com/en/americas/20260818-trump-pauses-controversial-border-construction-in-texas-national-park) _2026-08-18 · FRANCE 24_ The Trump administration on Monday paused construction of a contentious border project in Texas' Big Bend National Park, as the head of Customs and Border Protection travelled to the area to assess the plans amid fierce bipartisan opposition over their potential impact on the remote landscape. ## [Tupac's accused murderer out for 'revenge', Las Vegas jury hears](https://www.france24.com/en/americas/20260817-tupac-s-accused-murderer-out-for-revenge-las-vegas-jury-hears) _2026-08-17 · FRANCE 24_ Tupac Shakur was shot dead in an act of "revenge", Las Vegas jury heard on Monday, as the legendary West Coast rapper's assassination trial got underway more than three decades after his death. ## [American actress Hayden Panettiere dies at 36](https://www.france24.com/en/americas/20260817-american-actress-hayden-panettiere-dies-at-36) _2026-08-17 · FRANCE 24_ Hayden Panettiere, the US actress and former child star known for her parts in TV shows such as "Heroes" and "Nashville", has died at the age of 36, her father said in a statement on Sunday. ## [Trump orders Pentagon to scale back military drills with South Korea hours before start](https://www.france24.com/en/americas/20260817-trump-orders-pentagon-to-scale-back-military-drills-with-south-korea-hours-before-start) _2026-08-17 · FRANCE 24_ US President Donald Trump on Sunday ordered the Pentagon to scale back "inappropriate and hostile" military drills with South Korea, claiming that the ally had failed to help with the war against Iran and citing his "good relationship" with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. ## [Brazil election: Lula and the new face of Bolsonaro's right](https://www.france24.com/en/brazil-election-lula-and-the-new-face-of-bolsonaro-s-right) _2026-08-16 · FRANCE24_ Brazil's October presidential election is shaping up as another battle between the Lula and Bolsonaro camps, with incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva seeking a fourth term and Flávio Bolsonaro stepping in for his imprisoned father. The two frontrunners are running close in the polls, as Lula focuses on Brazil's sovereignty amid tensions with Washington, while Flávio leans on his family's far-right… ## [From any door to your door (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/U27PVne8qeIl) _2026-08-16 · **Sponsored**_ Book rides, errands, deliveries, groceries and home help in one app ## [US : Hawaii narrowly avoids direct hit as Hurricane Lala brings strong weather](https://www.france24.com/en/us-hawaii-narrowly-avoids-direct-hit-as-hurricane-lala-brings-severe-weather) _2026-08-16 · FRANCE24_ Hawaii has narrowly avoided a historic direct hit from Hurricane Lala, but torrential rain and hurricane-force winds are still causing widespread flooding, mudslides and power outages across the islands. Authorities are urging residents to shelter in place as the storm moves west and dangerous conditions persist. ## [Colombia's new president asks Trump to suspend tariffs after deadly earthquake](https://www.france24.com/en/americas/20260816-colombia-s-new-president-asks-trump-to-suspend-tariffs-after-deadly-earthquake) _2026-08-16 · FRANCE 24_ Colombia's President Abelardo de la Espriella on Saturday called on US President Donald Trump to suspend tariffs on the South American nation as the country contiues to reel from a deadly earthquake. At least 300 people were killed in the quake that devastated the western Colombian cities of Cali and Pereira. ## [US : Luigi Mangione pleads guilty to killing UnitedHealthcare CEO](https://www.france24.com/en/us-luigi-mangione-pleads-guilty-to-killing-unitedhealthcare-ceo) _2026-08-15 · FRANCE24_ Luigi Mangione has pleaded guilty to federal stalking charges and admitted killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York in December 2024. His lawyers are seeking to have the state charges dropped under New York’s double jeopardy protections, while prosecutors plan to seek a life sentence at his December sentencing. ## ['The nightmare is over': Families reunite as Venezuela frees political prisoners](https://www.france24.com/en/americas/20260814-the-nightmare-is-over-families-reunite-as-venezuela-frees-political-prisoners) _2026-08-14 · FRANCE 24_ Venezuela's government freed 131 detained ​prisoners on Friday, as human rights groups hailed releases of some ​people ‌they say were being held ⁠unjustly or for political reasons. ## [Race to free trapped quake survivor offers hope in Colombia](https://www.france24.com/en/americas/20260814-race-to-free-trapped-survivor-offers-hope-in-colombia-earthquake-zone) _2026-08-14 · FRANCE 24_ Rescue workers rushed to free a survivor Friday in Colombia amid the rubble left by a powerful earthquake nearly four days earlier that killed at least 285 people and injured 4,000. Some 400 people were still missing and tens of thousands of homes were ​damaged, leaving many Colombians sleeping in shelters or outside. ## [Colombia: Hundreds still missing as earthquake resue effort continues](https://www.france24.com/en/colombia-hundreds-still-missing-as-earthquake-resue-effort-continues) _2026-08-14 · FRANCE24_ In Colombia hopes are fading of finding survivors after Monday’s powerful earthquake. Rescue teams are now turning their focus to recovering bodies, but families are still holding out hope of finding their loved ones alive beneath the rubble. Many have taken matters into their own hands, as our reporters found when they visited Cali, a city near the quake’s epicentre. A report by R. Sedano, M.… ## [Trump imposes tariffs of up to 100% on drone imports](https://www.france24.com/en/americas/20260814-donald-trump-imposes-tariffs-of-up-to-100-on-imported-drones) _2026-08-14 · FRANCE 24_ President Donald Trump on Thursday imposed tariffs of up to 100% on imported drones and their components, including from key US allies, citing national security concerns and a need to reduce US reliance on foreign suppliers. The measures are set to take effect in 21 days. ## [Cuba's ex-president Raul Castro makes rare public appearance after US indictment](https://www.france24.com/en/americas/20260813-raul-castro-makes-rare-public-appearance-at-fidel-centenary-event) _2026-08-13 · FRANCE 24_ Cuba's Raul Castro made a rare public appearance Thursday at a celebration marking the centenary of his brother Fidel's birth. The 95-year-old former president, who was indicted by the US in May over an incident during his tenure as defence minister, received a standing ovation at the secure event in Havana amid a deepening economic crisis and frequent energy blackouts. ## [Venezuela's interim govt, opposition wrap first round of post-Maduro talks](https://www.france24.com/en/americas/20260813-venezuela-talks-end-with-agreement-on-judicial-reform-and-frozen-funds) _2026-08-13 · FRANCE 24_ Venezuela's interim government and members of opposition parties ended their first round of talks Wednesday with agreements to reform the Supreme Tribunal of Justice and seek access to the country's frozen reserves in order to finance recovery from June's devastating earthquakes. ## [Colombia earthquake rescue efforts enter 'final phase' as death toll rises](https://www.france24.com/en/americas/20260813-colombia-earthquake-rescue-efforts-enter-final-phase-as-death-toll-rises) _2026-08-13 · FRANCE 24_ Rescuers in Colombia faced a race against time Wednesday as they searched collapsed buildings for survivors after the country's strongest earthquake this century. Monday's magnitude 7.4 quake killed at least 265 people and injured more than 3,500, with nearly 500 still missing. ## [Open coordination for humans & AI (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/UftUzJwCjaM7) _2026-08-13 · **Sponsored**_ Shared schemas and CLI tooling to validate, route, and audit human-agent workflows. ## [Trump's White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt to leave role](https://www.france24.com/en/americas/20260812-white-house-press-secretary-and-trump-adviser-karoline-leavitt-to-leave-role) _2026-08-12 · FRANCE 24_ White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt will leave her role at the end of the month, US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday, ending the tenure of one of his most prominent and trusted advisers as the administration heads towards November's midterm elections. ## [Voting ends in US midwest primaries](https://www.france24.com/en/voting-ends-in-us-midwest-primaries) _2026-08-12 · FRANCE24_ Voters in six US states went to the polls to choose their preferred candidates in primaries and special elections ahead of November’s midterms. In Wisconsin, moderate David Crowley narrowly defeated Democratic socialist Francesca Hong in the race for governor. On the Republican side, Darline Graham, sister of the late Senator Lindsey Graham, advanced to a runoff in the Senate primary. Yuka Royer… ## [Colombia: Bogota's search for survivors continues](https://www.france24.com/en/colombia-bogota-s-search-for-survivors-continues) _2026-08-12 · FRANCE24_ The search for survivors continues in Colombia, more than 48 hours after a 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck the country. More than 200 people have been confirmed dead, while more than 2,000 are reported missing. The new president, Abelardo de la Espriella, has declared a state of emergency, as many people remain without clean drinking water or electricity and several major highways are still… ## [Meta faces $1.4 trillion lawsuit](https://www.france24.com/en/meta-faces-1-4-trillion-lawsuit) _2026-08-12 · FRANCE24_ Mark Zuckerberg’s tech giant Meta is facing a $1.4 trillion lawsuit over allegations that it deliberately designed addictive features on its platforms to keep children hooked. Parents have long raised concerns about the impact of Facebook and Instagram on young people’s mental health, and jury selection begins this Wednesday. ## [Colombia: Woman rescued from under earthquake debris after 36 hours](https://www.france24.com/en/video/20260812-colombia-woman-rescued-from-under-earthquake-debris-after-36-hours) _2026-08-12 · FRANCE24_ 🇨🇴 A woman trapped under the debris of a collapsed hotel in Pereira, #Colombia, was rescued on Tuesday after spending 36 hours under the rubble. Search and rescue operations are still underway in the country's coffee-growing Chocó region which was at the epîcentre of a 7.4 magnitude #earthquake on Monday. ## [Colombia declares three days of mourning as search for quake survivors continues](https://www.france24.com/en/americas/20260812-colombia-declares-three-days-mourning-for-quake-victims) _2026-08-12 · FRANCE 24_ Colombia on Wednesday declared three days of mourning after a 7.4-magnitude earthquake killed more than 200 people in the west of the country. Monday's quake was the strongest to hit Colombia this century, and the search for survivors under the rubble is ongoing. ## [Meta group is accused of intentionally designing addictive platforms](https://www.france24.com/en/meta-group-is-accused-of-intentionally-designing-addictive-platforms) _2026-08-12 · FRANCE24_ $1.4 trillion in fines… That’s the astronomical sum four US states are seeking from Meta, the company founded by Mark Zuckerberg. California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey accuse the company of deliberately making Instagram and Facebook addictive for minors. Wassim Cornet reports from Los Angeles. ## [Meta faces new high-stakes trial](https://www.france24.com/en/meta-faces-new-high-stakes-trial) _2026-08-12 · FRANCE24_ It’s being described as social media’s “Big Tobacco moment”, with a major trial against Meta opening today. Mark Zuckerberg’s company is defending itself against allegations that it harmed children by designing addictive features for young users on Instagram and Facebook. France 24 journalist Delano D'Souza shares further insights. ## [Key US primary races take shape](https://www.france24.com/en/key-us-primary-races-take-shape) _2026-08-12 · FRANCE24_ Tuesday was primary election day in six US states, with both major parties holding runoffs in several races. In Minnesota, the progressive Lieutenant Governor defeated Representative Angie Craig in the Democratic Senate primary, while Wisconsin’s Republican gubernatorial primary remains too close to call. Also in Minnesota, eccentric Donald Trump-endorsed businessman Mike Lindell lost the… ## [Moderate Crowley beats democratic socialist Hong in Wisconsin governor's primary](https://www.france24.com/en/americas/20260812-david-crowley-beats-progressive-francesca-hong-wisconsin-democratic-primary) _2026-08-12 · FRANCE 24_ Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley on Wednesday eked out a stunningly narrow win against democratic socialist Francesca Hong in the Democratic party primary for the Wisconsin governor's race. Crowley's win by less than a percentage point comes as the party faces a divide between establishment candidates and an insurgent progressive movement ahead of the 2026 US midterm elections. ## [Screen Share With Real Control (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/KPSN6sysh4kc) _2026-08-12 · **Sponsored**_ Collaborative screen sharing with simultaneous remote control — open source, like Screenhero. ## [Donald Trump says he faced ‘greater risk’ on swapped plane](https://www.france24.com/en/donald-trump-says-he-faced-greater-risk-on-swapped-plane) _2026-08-12 · FRANCE24_ Donald Trump reportedly took a secret military flight out of Turkey last month in an undercover operation prompted by fears that Iran was planning an assassination attempt against the US president. The operation reportedly involved Trump being transferred between aircraft inside a catering truck. ## [Colombia quake death toll surpasses 240](https://www.france24.com/en/colombia-quake-death-toll-surpasses-240) _2026-08-12 · FRANCE24_ The death toll from Monday’s 7.4-magnitude earthquake in western Colombia has risen to more than 200, as rescuers race against time to find survivors trapped beneath collapsed buildings. On Tuesday, a 32-year-old woman was pulled alive from the rubble, but many others remain missing. The disaster is the first major challenge for President Abelardo de la Espriella, who was inaugurated last Friday.… ## ['Big Tobacco' moment?: Meta faces $1.4 trillion lawsuit over harm to children](https://www.france24.com/en/americas/20260812-meta-s-big-tobacco-moment-social-media-giant-faces-1-4-trillion-lawsuit-over-harm-to-children) _2026-08-12 · FRANCE 24_ Jury selection begins Wednesday in a lawsuit filed by the US states of California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey alleging that Meta uses technology to make Facebook and Instagram addictive for children. The states are demanding changes to Meta's apps in addition to financial penalties as high as $1.4 trillion in what some experts are calling social media's "big tobacco moment". Meta denies the… ## [Trump says he faced ‘greater risk’ on swapped plane amid flight change controversy](https://www.france24.com/en/americas/20260811-trump-s-secret-plane-swap-triggers-questions-and-confusion) _2026-08-11 · FRANCE 24_ President Donald Trump on Tuesday confirmed a US media report that he secretly switched planes while flying out of Turkey last month due to a security risk. While some journalists left on the original Air Force One flight expressed anger at having unwittingly served as decoys, Trump maintained the military plane he actually took faced a “greater risk”.