Author: France 24

This week, we dive into the world of classical music. We meet one of the most inspiring voices of her generation, mezzo-soprano Léa Desandre. She welcomes us into one of the French capital’s temples of classical music, the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées.

Iranians of all religions and all walks of life are marking the ancient Persian festival of Yalda. Historically marking the victory of Good over Evil, Yalda sees families and get together, eating nuts, sweets and fruits. Yet, rampant inflation and international sanctions may dampen this year’s spirits. Story by Rachael Griffiths.

Brahim Diaz and Ayoub El Kaabi scored second-half goals as Morocco beat Comoros 2-0 in the Africa Cup of Nations opener in Rabat. Diaz broke the deadlock 10 minutes after the break, and substitute El Kaabi sealed the win with a stunning overhead kick.

Crude benchmarks were rising on Wednesday after US President Donald Trump said the US would put a stop to any traffic of sanctioned oil tankers in and out of Venezuela. The country’s oil revenue is a lifeline for the Maduro government, which now mainly sells its barrels to China. Also in this edition: Warner Bros. Discovery is reportedly telling its shareholders to reject a takeover bid from Paramount Skydance. Plus: FIFA offers $60 tickets for the 2026 World Cup amid criticism over high prices.

A hero bystander wrests a gun from one of two assailants at a mass shooting on Sydney’s Bondi Beach, at least 16 Jeffrey Epstein-related files disappear from the Justice Department’s public website within a day of their release and deadly Thailand-Cambodia border clashes displace hundreds of thousands. FRANCE 24 looks back at the week’s most striking images.

France ​will ⁠build a new aircraft carrier to boost ​its ‍capacities ​as a maritime ​power, President Emmanuel Macron told French troops gathered at a military ‍base in ​Abu Dhabi. Macron arrived in the United Arab Emirates on Sunday to celebrate Christmas with troops and to discuss bilateral ties with the Gulf state. France24 International Affairs Editor Shirli Sitbon explains.

Why should Formula 1 be a male preserve? While no regulations bar women from competing, they remain notably absent from the grid. This question is at the heart of the stories of Skye Parker, a young Welsh woman, alongside Eliza Herbert and Elise Gallé-Tessonneau.

Warner Bros Discovery’s board has urged shareholders to reject a $108.4 billion hostile takeover bid from Paramount Skydance, saying it failed to provide adequate financing assurances. The board argued that the terms of a rival merger deal with Netflix represent “superior, more certain value for our shareholders”.

With less than a week to go until Christmas, hosts everywhere are finalising plans for their festive meal, whether it’s dinner or lunch depending on where they celebrate. Amid the abundance of advice, we’re turning to the best, as food guide and restaurant critic Andy Hayler joins us live from London to walk us through the key dos and don’ts for Christmas.

Improved aid access means there is no longer famine in Gaza, but the war-ravaged territory still faces emergency conditions, a UN-backed global hunger monitor said on Friday. Israel denied that there is a food shortage in Gaza, where around 1.6 million people are expected to face “crisis” levels of food insecurity in the coming months.