Author: France 24

Ten years after the referendum that shook the United Kingdom, what impact has Brexit had on one of its greatest exports: music? From major festivals in the UK to the grassroots venues in Europe determined to host British bands, FRANCE 24’s Olivia Salazar-Winspear sets out to meet the people keeping the music scene alive.

Iran and Oman said Tuesday they would examine charges for maritime services in the Strait of Hormuz through a joint working group, pressing ahead with discussions over the strategic waterway despite US opposition to Tehran’s proposed fee system.

Algeria stormed back to beat Jordan 2-1 to advance to the 2026 World Cup knockout round in California late Monday thanks to second-half goals from substitute Nadhir Benbouali and Amine Gouiri. It marked the first time Algeria won a World Cup game since 2014.

China’s commerce ministry on Monday imposed sanctions on 10 US tech companies, blocking them from exporting “dual-use” items, which have military and non-military applications, to the US. The companies barred from doing business with the US include drone makers and some involved in rare earths. Beijing’s move comes weeks after the Pentagon slapped similar restrictions on Chinese companies.

In this edition of our arts24 music show, Jennifer Ben Brahim chats with British Afrobeats superstar Afro B. He is the brains behind the smash hit “Drogba (Joanna)”, one of first Afrobeats songs to break the US charts. He has collaborated over the years with the likes of French Montana and Chris Brown. He is back with a new single called “Mapouka”, a love letter to Ivory Coast. It’s the first taste of his upcoming album, “Afro Ivoire”.

US Vice President JD Vance has said that a first round of US-Iran talks in Switzerland had laid a good foundation for reaching a final deal on ending the Middle East war that the US and Israel began in February. Vance’s comments came after he met with Iran’s parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf on June 21 and 22. The mediation effort in Switzerland had rocky moments, but the talks also led to some agreements between the two sides.

VivaTech turned ten this year and Europe’s biggest tech showcase has never been louder, shinier, or more crowded. But walking the show floors, France 24 tech reporters Charlotte Lam and Peter O’Brien were drawn to one topic: not about productivity or performance, but about companionship and how the booming AI market is filling that void. Is it a cure or a curse?

Football fans around the globe tune into the World Cup, the Obama’s celebrate a presidential legacy in Chicago, Parisians find a new way to escape soaring temperatures and the Knicks celebrate their NBA championship victory in New York. FRANCE 24 looks back at some of the week’s most striking images.

Lebanon is at the centre of the ongoing US-Iran talks in Switzerland. Israel and Hezbollah continued to exchange fire in Lebanon despite the ceasefire concluded a few days ago. Iran answered by closing the Strait of Hormuz. On Sunday, fighting was reported to have stopped for almost 24 hours – a first since March 2 – before starting again. The latest from the ground by FRANCE 24 correpsondent in Lebanon, Renée Davis.

Tiny Curaçao, the smallest nation ever to qualify for a World Cup, clinched their maiden point on Saturday after battling to a 0-0 draw against Ecuador in Kansas City thanks to ​an outstanding performance from goalkeeper ⁠Eloy Room.