Pro-Trump lawyer Aberaldo de la Espriella pulled ahead as a leader in Colombia’s race for the presidency in the first round of elections over the weekend, capitalizing on a growing appetite for heavy-handed crackdowns on criminal groups across Latin America. Speaking with FRANCE 24's Mark Owen, Christopher Sabatini, Senior Research Fellow on the Americas at Chatham House, says that "this is really again a part of what's unfortunately called the 'Donroe' doctrine asserting itself in partisan politics in Latin America".

A powerful explosion at a fireworks factory in Malta injured two people on Monday, sending a massive plume of smoke and debris into the air, police reported. The first blast occurred at around 6:35 am and was followed by a second powerful explosion, according to witnesses. No workers were at the factory when the explosions occurred.

Oliver Farry is pleased to welcome Michelle MORGAN, Marilyn Monroe biographer. Author of The Seven Year Itch, and the Birth of an Unlikely Feminist. One hundred years after the birth of Marilyn Monroe, the actress remains one of the most recognisable cultural figures of the twentieth century. Yet, as biographer Michelle Morgan argues in this centenary interview, the enduring fascination with Monroe often obscures the complexity of the woman behind the image. Far from being merely the glamorous "dumb blonde" immortalised by popular culture, Monroe emerges as a determined, intellectually curious, and surprisingly modern figure who challenged the limitations imposed upon her by Hollywood and society alike.

Colombians are heading to the polls Sunday. With current president Gustavo Petro stepping down, the search for his successor is seen as a referendum on his leftist social policies and response to growing violence in the country. Left-wing candidate Ivan Cepeda, who says he will continue pursuing peace accords with armed groups, is leading in the polls. But he faces stark opposition from the more hawkish right. Trump-loving millionaire lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella and Paloma Valencia, who comes from one of Colombia's most important conservative dynasties, both favor harsher crackdowns on guerrilla groups. Details by Caroline Baum.

It's been two weeks since a Congolese man died in Dublin after being restrained by security guards and protestors are still taking to the street. They want to see an independent and transparent probe into the death of Yves Sakila - with many viewing the incident as racially charged. Details by Eliza Herbert.

In Peru, hundreds of demonstrators marched through Lima on Saturday to protest against Keiko Fujimori’s candidacy and her family's political dynasty. They fear that, if elected, she will continue her father’s authoritarian regime. Keiko Fujimori came out on top in the first round of the presidential election and will face left-wing candidate Roberto Sánchez in the second round on June 7. Details by Eliza Herbert.

Pentagon head Pete Hegseth - has said that Washington could restart the war with Iran at any time if it wanted. His remarks follow days of talks and a two-hour meeting in the White House situation room - that has yet to produce a deal between the US and Iran. Analysis by FRANCE 24 international affairs editor, Shirli Sitbon.

Colombia is going to the polls this Sunday. The presidential election is set to determine Gustavo Petro’s successor. Violence is at the heart of this campaign: armed groups are stepping up their attacks, and each candidate has their own proposals for how to prevent it. Violence is an endemic problem in the country that has been ravaged by conflict for decades. Story by Eliza Herbert and Antoine Fenaux.

Nearly a month of anti-government protests and a blockade of the capital in Bolivia have pushed the country to a "breaking point", said the President, as demonstrators call for his resignation. Details by Antonia Kerrigan.

The EU has unlocked €16.4 billion in funds for Hungary after new Prime Minister Peter Magyar enacted reforms to weed out corruption. It caps off weeks of negotiations between his government and the EU to release funding crucial to Hungary's slumping economy. Details by Camille Knight.

France has summoned the Russian ambassador following a drone crash on an apartment building in Romania. It hit an apartment building, wounding two and drawing condemnation from NATO. Russia says no evidence has been provided for claims about Russian drones in the EU. Story by Jennie Shin.

A judge has revoked the Kennedy Memorial Center board's decision to add Donald Trump's name to the institution, and close for 2 years of intense renovations. The President reacted in a lengthy tirade on his platform Truth Social, and angrily gave up his responsibility in the maintenance and management of the performing arts institution. Story by Antonia Kerrigan.

🌡️ #France and the #UK on Monday experienced their hottest day in the month of May on record, the countries' weather agencies said, warning that Tuesday may be even warmer. The French government said seven people have died due to causes linked "directly and indirectly" to the #heat.

It's a major milestone for the luxury automobile industry, as Ferrari unveils its first fully electric car. The company introduced the Luce - Italian for "light". While its all-electric powertrain will take it from zero to 100 even faster than Ferrari's petrol-powered offerings, the four-door Luce has room for a family of five. It's the culmination of five years of development at the iconic Italian sportscar giant - but a potentially risky bet, as other luxury and mass-market carmakers have had to temper their EV ambitions amid mounting headwinds.

Four people, including two children were killed in northern Belgium on May 26 when a train hit a school minibus. Camera footage from the level crossing shows that it was closed at the time of the accident, with the barriers down. The investigation into how the school vehicle got onto the tracks is underway. Condolences have poured in from across the European continent, including from European Commission President Ursula on der Leyen, who said "Europe grieved with Belgium."

Russia fired more than 100 drones and two ballistic missiles at Ukraine between May 25 and May 26 as the country’s foreign ministry noted that Moscow’s recent threat to hit Kyiv especially hard from the air brought nothing new. This comes after Russia urged foreign citizens, including diplomats, to leave Kyiv and told residents to steer clear of military and government facilities. FRANCE 24's Gulliver Cragg tells us more from Dnipro.

🎷 Sonny #Rollins, the fiercely inventive tenor saxophonist whose decades-spanning career helped define modern jazz and earned him the nickname "Saxophone Colossus," died Monday at his home in upstate #NewYork.

An unusual spring heatwave continues to scorch parts of Western Europe, driven by a "heat dome" which has pushed temperatures well above seasonal norms across the continent. France and the UK have broken temperature records for the month of May and the French government spokesperson said that seven people are believed to have died directly or indirectly because of the heat - including two people who'd been taking part in sporting activities.

Sonny Rollins one of jazz's greats has passed away at age 95. Often called the 'Saxophone Colossus' after his groundbreaking 1965 album, Rollins left a lasting mark on jazz. Born in 1930, and raised in Harlem, Rollins took up the saxophone at age 8. By his twenties he was playing with the greats, and was known for practising on a New York Bridge for hours.

In another bid to quell the protests that have effectively blockaded the Bolivian capital, President Rodrigo Paz announced that he and his ministers would reduce their salaries by half on May 25. The demonstrations which have seen protestors clash with police are over the high cost of living in the country and the austerity measures put in place by the Paz government that tipped Bolivia's economy into the worst crisis in 40 years.