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What lessons can we learn from the Epstein files?

Not a day goes past without headlines revealing the far-reaching global impact of Jeffrey Epstein's crimes. In a special edition, we examine what lessons can be learned from the Epstein files and other similar scenarios; what they reveal about power, accountability and the systems which allowed the late paedophile's crimes to continue for so long.

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World Cup 2026: Fans in Houston deterred by soaring ticket prices

The fan zones are open, the stadiums are ready and the biggest World Cup in history is officially underway in the US, Mexico and Canada. Seven matchs are planned in Houston, Texas. The host city expects to attract around half a million visitors and an economic windfall of $1.5 billion. Yet some hotels remain half empty and many fans complain that soaring ticket prices have made the tournament unaffordable. FRANCE 24's Pierrick Leurent and Wassim Cornet report. 

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DR Congo's World Cup team cleared for US entry after Ebola quarantine

DR Congo coach Sebastien Desabre said Thursday he hopes his side can deliver a strong World Cup showing after arriving in the US following an imposed quarantine period linked to the Ebola outbreak. The team, making their first appearance at the tournament since 1974, have relocated preparations abroad but aim to bring some emotional relief to supporters back home.

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Bill Gates calls Epstein meetings ‘grave error’ while defending actions in House testimony

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates on Wednesday said he made a “grave error in judgment” by meeting Jeffrey Epstein but denied any wrongdoing, as he faced hours of questioning before the US House Oversight Committee about his ties to the disgraced financier. Gates said he should never have met Epstein and had no indication of ongoing criminal conduct. 

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Striking teachers bring Mexico City to a standstill ahead of World Cup

Thousands of demonstrators blocked a major avenue leading to Mexico City's Azteca Stadium on Tuesday, days before the 2026 World Cup opens at the venue, as teacher-led protests disrupted the capital. The demonstration, organised by a dissident faction of the CNTE teachers' union, followed a week of unrest that President Claudia Sheinbaum described as a "provocation".

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US to complete Trump's long-promised Mexico border wall by late 2027

The United States expects to complete construction of President Donald Trump's long-promised southern border wall by late 2027, Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott said on Tuesday. Speaking at an event in Washington, Scott said the reinforced barrier would extend along most of the US-Mexico border, with limited exceptions where officials deemed it unnecessary.

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Trump immigration stance 'clashes against reality of what is needed to stage a truly global event'

Award-winning Somali referee Omar Artan has been dropped from officiating at the World Cup after being barred from entering the United States. Speaking with FRANCE 24's Mark Owen, Alexander Cooley, Claire Tow Professor of Political Science at Barnard College, explains that "we're seeing the Trump's administration adherence to hard-line immigration laws clash against the reality of what you need to stage a truly global event".

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2026 World Cup participation conditional to US travel restrictions

Traditionally, international sports competitions are seen as a way of overlooking division and differences, and disregarding geopolitics tension - which is the reason why North Korea competes in the Olympics for example. But this year's World Cup is proving an exception. Residents of countries placed on a US travel restriction list are finding their attendance at the World Cup is not garanteed. FRANCE 24's Kethevane Gorjestani explains.

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World Cup overshadowed by US travel restrictions and the war in Iran

A Somali referee has been prevented from officiating at the World Cup after he was refused entry into the US. This comes as many fans having bought tickets for the competitions have also seen their visa demands refused, and Iran's football federation claims its ticket allocation was withdrawn days before kickoff. FRANCE 24's Angela Diffley looks at the impact of the US's travel restrictions and war in Iran on the competition.

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Bolivia moves closer to state of emergency among large-scale protests

Turning to Bolivia now, where conservative President Rodrigo Paz has moved closer to enacting a state of emergency that would allow the military to intervene in demonstrations. For weeks, protesters have constructed roadblocks and taken to the streets demanding the government to tackle Bolivia's worst economic crisis in decades. Some are urging Paz to step down. The unrest has driven up food and fuel prices, and resulted in a lack of basic goods.

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