Author: France 24

Patients staying in a psychiatric hospital near Paris have been singing the praises of a novel treatment: spending time with therapy donkeys. Experts and patients say caring for the animals, which are known for their calm and social nature, helps improve emotional regulation, communication, social interaction and self-esteem.

Aryna Sabalenka strengthened her French Open title bid on Monday by defeating Naomi Osaka to reach the quarter-finals, while Matteo Berrettini continued his comeback from injury with a place in his first Grand Slam quarter-final since 2022. The world number one is now the only major champion left in the singles draws at Roland Garros.

French President Emmanuel Macron gave the country’s plans to move away from fossil fuels another boost on Tuesday, announcing big private investments, including a €1 billion EV project from Stellantis. Some 200 companies signed onto a national pact to join the government’s efforts to double the share of electricity in the country’s energy mix to 60 percent by 2030. Plus, BP has fired its chairman Albert Manifold over “serious concerns” about governance standards and conduct. 

In this edition of our arts24 music show, Jennifer Ben Brahim chats with sibling duo The Lemon Twigs. The Long Island natives could easily be mistaken for a British Invasion band, thanks to their unmistakable harmonies and retro blend of pop, folk and psychedelic rock. 

Nadia Massih is pleased to welcome Dr Filippo Dionigi, Senior Lecturer of International Relations specialized in Middle Eastern politics at the University of Bristol. As Israeli forces push deeper into southern Lebanon than at any point since the end of their occupation in 2000, the seizure of Beaufort Castle has powerful symbolic resonance within the history of the conflict. And while the military campaign is directed at Hezbollah, Israel seeks to exert pressure through widespread civilian suffering and forced displacement of more than a million Lebanese “as a weapon” of war.

A patient in the DRC has been confirmed to have recovered – a first since the outbreak was detected in mid-May. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus visited the country on Friday, where authorities are still struggling to contain the spread of the disease. Story by Jennie Shin.

Paris Saint-Germain brought the Champions League trophy back to France, taking it from the Champ-de-Mars to the Parc des Princes.

They first made headlines by bolting facial recognition onto Meta’s Ray-Bans to show how easily the technology could identify strangers in the street. Now Anhphu Nguyen and Caine Ardayfio have a product of their own: Mira, a $650 pair of AI glasses, with no camera this time, that quietly transcribes and summarises everything, so you can turn your life into a searchable database.

The woman whose song was at the heart of the Arab Spring has told FRANCE 24 that even 15 years later she looks back on her role, and the role of the protesters with admiration. Tunisian-American artist Emel Mathlouthi’s song Kelmti Horra, or “My Word is Free”, became something of an anthem at the time as uprisings against the authorities sprang up in one county after another. This weekend she’s in concert here in Paris, and she joined us beforehand in Perspective.

The Israeli army has taken control of Beaufort castle in Southern Lebanon, crossing over the Litani river, which they had been using as a de facto boundary. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the operation a “dramatic shift” in the Israeli offensive in Lebanon. The Israeli army now has declared all land between the Litani and Zaharani River a conflict zone. Details by Caroline Baum.