Author: France 24

Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain reached the Champions League semi-final on Tuesday, beating Aston Villa 5-4 on aggregate in Birmingham after fending off a ferocious comeback by the hosts, and setting up a showdown against Arsenal or Real Madrid.

After Vietnam, China’s president Xi Jinping arrived in Malaysia.  Unlike Vietnam which trades more with the United States than with China, Malaysia has kept China as its top trading partner for 16 years. During the visit, Xi is also expected to discuss a free trade agreement between China and ASEAN, as Malaysia is currently chair of the regional bloc. Meanwhile, Beijing has reportedly ordered its largest airlines to halt further deliveries of Boeing jets as a trade war with the US escalates. 

Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Tuesday voiced satisfaction with recent talks with the United States, expressing confidence in the Islamic Republic’s position but casting doubt on US intentions. For in-depth analysis and a deeper peerspective, FRANCE 24’s Gavin Lee welcomes Mohammad Marandi, Professor of English Literature and Orientalism at the University of Tehran and Ali Vaez, International Crisis Group’s Iran Project Director and Senior Adviser to the President.

Animal Triste are a six-piece from Rouen who have just released their third studio album “Jéricho”, which blends dark themes, swirling guitars and emotive build-ups. Perhaps contributing to the Anglophone feel of this new record are collaborations with musicians Alain Johannes (PJ Harvey, Queens of the Stone Age, Arctic Monkeys) and Peter Hayes (Black Rebel Motorcycle Club). Yannick the singer popped by FRANCE 24 to discuss the album and its show-stopping cover with Marjorie Hache. They also look at new releases by Garbage, Julian Baker & Torres and Tunde Adebimpe.

Paris Saint-Germain will look to seal a semi-final berth when it plays Aston Villa in Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final second leg, but Villa coach Unai Emery said Monday that playing in front of fans at home could “transmit” his team the energy it needs to overcome its current 3-1 deficit.

Meta’s chief executive Mark Zuckerberg took the stand as a historic antitrust trial against the social media giant began in Washington DC. Over the next few weeks, the District Court will hear arguments over whether Meta broke the law in its acquisition of Instagram and WhatsApp. Plus, amid an escalating tariff war with the US, China has also been curbing its export of rare earth minerals critical for the US defence and tech industries. 

A world-renowned filmmaker whose films are linked and mirror the events of the Lebanese civil war that broke out exactly 50 years ago has spoken to FRANCE 24 about how the conflict is still having a huge effect on the country. Ziad Doueiri said that even though the war ended 35 years ago, it continues to impact Lebanon, with more recent events like the Beirut port explosion and the collapse of the country’s financial system. He also told us of his ongoing shock at the current conflict with Israel in Lebanon and Gaza, but how he tries to keep an…

From showcasing the Eiffel Tower to a Moon rock, World Expos have long been a stage for innovation and national pride. This year’s six-month Expo kicked off in the Japanese city of Osaka on Sunday.

An Israeli air strike early Sunday hit Al-Ahli Hospital in northern Gaza, forcing health officials to evacuate patients from the building. Israel said it struck a command centre at the hospital used by Hamas to plan and execute attacks.

New films from Wes Anderson, Jafar Panahi and Julia Ducourneau will compete for the Palme d’Or at the 78th Cannes Film Festival, with Scarlett Johansson set to star both on-screen and behind the camera