Author: France 24

In this edition of our Arts24 music show, Jennifer Ben Brahim takes us backstage at this year’s Rock en Seine music festival. More than 180,000 music lovers descended on the grounds just outside of Paris to see 80 live shows. Headliners this year included the likes of American hip-hop star Tyler, The Creator, Australian rockers Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds as well as Britrock legends The Cure, who closed out the weekend in style. 

Iran’s foreign minister has accused Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu of tricking the United States into war with the Islamic Republic. Over six months into the conflict, there appears to be no end in sight. This after the US struck sites in Iran, prompting Tehran to respond. An April ceasefire brought an end to intense fighting, but sporadic attacks have continued over the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran’s closure of the waterway during the conflict has pressured global oil markets, and in turn Donald Trump at home.

Tadej Pogacar, who was comfortably leading the overall standings at the Vuelta a España, was forced to abandon on Saturday after a heavy crash during Stage 8. The Slovenian suffered multiple fractures and could even see his season come to an early end, with the World Championships looming at the end of September.

Dolly Parton was one of the rare celebrities that transcended divides in the United States. The country music legend and actress died, aged 80, on August 25.

It was a rare condemnation from what is widely seen as the most religious and ultranationalist government in Israel’s history. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned recent attacks by Israeli settlers on Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, but described the violence as the actions of a “handful of rioters.” Tensions have surged across the territory, with activists accusing settlers of acting with impunity. Much of the recent violence has taken place in the town of Qusra. Peter O’Brien reports.

A dramatic start to Matchday 2 in Ligue 1. Just like last week at Rennes, Paris Saint-Germain found themselves 2-0 down, only to produce another miraculous comeback. Vitinha sparked the revival before Marquinhos rescued a point for the Parisians in Lille.

At Paris’s Rock en Seine, visually impaired festival-goers can enjoy concerts through live audio description. The festival is offering dedicated platforms, as well as headphones and receivers provided by the Valentin Haüy Association, a pioneer in audio description in France. Spectators can experience a concert with audio description each day of the music festival, from August 26 to August 30. 

After six months of war, Iran’s leadership has coalesced around a hard core of military generals and clerics long entrenched in the ruling theocracy. They are ready for a potentially long confrontation with the US and determined to prevent any unrest at home. It’s a far cry from US President Donald Trump’s initial hopes of toppling the Islamic Republic and his subsequent claims that “regime change” had brought more compromising officials to the fore. In an analysis, FRANCE 24’s Philip Turle said the war had so far cost around 1,100 US dollars for each US taxpayer.

Marseille and Lyon were both drawn against Bayer Leverkusen in the group stage of the Europa League on Friday, while fellow French club Rennes will take on Italian giants Juventus. The draw in Monaco also handed English duo Bournemouth and Sunderland a glamour tie against AC Milan.

Céline Dion blew kisses and made a love-heart shape with her hands as she swept into the French capital on Friday ahead of her first series of concerts since revealing her diagnosis with Stiff Person Syndrome, an incurable autoimmune disorder.