Author: France 24

Lyon have been eliminated from the Europa League following their 2-0 home loss to Celta Vigo in the second leg of the round of 16 (1-1 in the first leg). Lyon were hampered by Moussa Niakhaté’s red card in the 19th minute. Rueda opened the scoring just after the hour mark, before Jutglà sealed the Spanish side’s qualification in additional time. After seven consecutive matches without a win, Lyon now turn their focus to Ligue 1.

The spiralling conflict in Iran has highlighted the potential vulnerability of Gulf states when it comes to food and water security. Countries like Bahrain and Qatar depend heavily on desalinated water, and strikes on desalination plants have sparked concern about water supplies. Meanwhile, the usual flow of food imports through the Strait of Hormuz has been disrupted by the fighting.

He was the star, taciturn lawman of the show “Walker, Texas Ranger”: Chuck #Norris passed away aged 86 on March 19. The martials arts grandmaster turned actor had become the iconic, tough guy over the years.

Four women were killed in the occupied #WestBank following missile fire from #Iran – the first Palestinian victims of the Middle East #war since it started on February 28. For Palestinians, it is yet another conflict they find themselves caught up in, with little protection.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Thursday underlined the body’s commitment to making sure the World Cup goes ahead “as scheduled” with “all teams” taking part amid doubts about Iran’s presence at the tournament.

Natural gas prices soared, as attacks intensified on energy infrastracture in the Middle East. The Ras Laffan plant in Qatar has sustained ‘significant damage,’ according to its operators, which could take years to fully repair. That will have a significant impact on global supplies, because the facility produces around a fifth of the world’s LNG. Also in the show – the World Trade Organization warns a trade slowdown could lead to mounting food insecurity. 

You’ll hear its unmistakable sound in tiny islands of the South Pacific, bustling capitals in West Africa and chilly ports in the northeast of the Americas. The French language is spoken by more than 390 million people all over the world, and that linguistic community is celebrated by the International Organisation of Francophonie. French content is also increasingly popular on social media, with lifestyle, culture and education influencers sharing linguistic tips online.

Genie Godula is pleased to welcome Steven Everts, Director of European Union Institute for Security Studies (EUISS). According to Mr. Everts, the current conflict is an unnecessary war defined by cycles of retaliation that risk expanding beyond their original scope, with serious implications for regional stability and global energy markets. Europe is already feeling the economic fallout, but the deeper concern lies in the possibility of further destabilisation. He sees this war as strategically counterproductive, not only for Europe but for broader international stability.

PSG and Liverpool will face each other in the Champions League for the second consecutive year, this time in the quarter-finals. After being defeated 1-0 by Galatasaray in the first leg, the Reds completely turned the situation around in the return leg, winning 4-0. This gives them the chance to take revenge on the French side, who knocked them out on penalties last year in the round of 16.

The Trump administration is taking steps to curb rising energy costs, as it continues to wage war in the Middle East. The US is easing sanctions on Venezuela, and suspending a century-old shipping law, in an effort to get more oil supplies into the global market. Oil prices continues to rise, with crude topping $109 per barrel, as Gulf energy infrastructure was targeted by strikes. Also in the show – the UN’s maritime agency seeks safe passage for sailors trapped by the conflict.