Author: France 24

FRANCE 24 spoke to Elliott Abrams, a senior fellow for Middle Eastern Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington. Abrams, who served as Special Representative for Iran from 2020 to 2021 in the first Trump administration, discussed the ongoing talks between US and Iranian officials about Iran’s nuclear programme – the first of their kind in years. The meetings “should be no surprise”, he said: US President Donald Trump “certainly doesn’t want to go to war” [with Iran]. 

Sweden is looking to clinch another Eurovision win this year with the song “Bara Bada Bastu” (Just Have a Sauna) by the KAJ comedy act, paying homage to sauna culture and exhorting audiences to “steam up and let go of the stress”. 

On Wednesday, members of the World Health Organization have reached a landmark agreement aimed at learning from the COVID-19 pandemic—which claimed millions of lives between 2020 and 2022—and strengthening global preparedness for future health crises. Key challenges in the negotiations included ensuring fair distribution of vaccines and treatments between richer and poorer nations. Solange Mougin has more in this report.

Arsenal overcame Real Madrid 2-1 on Wednesday, sealing a 5-1 aggregate win to reach the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since 2009. The Gunners, aided by last week’s 3-0 first-leg victory, held off Madrid’s fightback and will next face Paris Saint-Germain.

Wall Street traders returned to selling Wednesday, pushing stocks lower as Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s cautious remarks that tariffs are likely to fuel a rise in inflation. The Nasdaq finished down more than three percent.

Gaza has become one of the world’s most dangerous places for journalists, with over 170 media workers killed since the war began. Foreign reporters are banned, making it increasingly difficult for Palestinians to gather information. In France, journalist unions and media outlets have condemned the killings and media blackout, with a rally planned in Paris in support of Gaza’s journalists. Antonia Karrigan reports.

To mark the France-Brazil 2025 season, which takes place in France from April to September, and the 200th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, FRANCE 24’s cultural magazine arts24 brings you a three-part series exploring how Brazil’s creative forces are shaping national identity and driving social change through music, film and fashion. Presented by Eve Jackson, the series begins in vibrant Rio de Janeiro, where viewers are transported to the heart of Brazil’s legendary Carnival. “The sound of a nation” delves into the rich tapestry of Brazilian music – from traditional samba to contemporary funk – revealing how these…

Countries united under the World Health Organization on Wednesday agreed to a milestone accord on how to respond to future pandemics and avoid repeating the mistakes made during the Covid-19 response. The agreement comes despite US foreign aid cuts and possible tariffs on pharmaceuticals casting uncertainty over the talks.

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.