Author: France 24

It’s a deal that’s been decades in the works, but might not make it across the finishing line. The free trade agreement between the European Union and the South American Mercosur trading bloc is driving a wedge between those who are eager to diversify and strengthen their international trade, like Germany, and those who are concerned about protecting their agricultural sector, like France. FRANCE 24’s Charles Pellegrin speaks to Maxime Combes, a French economist who fundamentally opposes the Mercosur trade deal – but not for the same reasons the French government does. 

Like it or not, AI is here to stay. Time magazine named the “architects of AI” as 2025’s person of the year. In this edition, we focus on artificial intelligence and entertainment. A UK AI-focused studio recently released “Non Player Combat”, which it calls the world’s first AI-generated reality TV show. Dheepthika Laurent talks to Tom Paton, CEO of the studio and in a first, we interview Clara, the AI host of the show!

The WHO and its partners have evacuated more than 10,600 patients from Gaza with severe health conditions, including more than 5,600 children, since the start of the war, the head of the UN health agency said Friday, adding that 1,092 patients are known to have died while awaiting medical evacuation over the past 18 months.

In Morocco, at least 37 people have been killed after flash floods swept through the city of Safi. Officials say it’s the country’s deadliest flooding disaster in more than a decade. Online, viral videos have since claimed that torrential rain also severely damaged two major stadiums in Rabat – days before AFCON 2025 is set to kick off. In this edition of Truth or Fake, we trace the origin of these AI-generated videos, and confirm that Morocco is indeed ready to host the competition.

After a three-and-a-half-month trial, anaesthetist Frédéric Péchier was sentenced Thursday in Besançon to life in prison for all the charges against him, a verdict he plans to appeal. Péchier is accused of poisoning 30 patients, 12 of whom died, between 2008 and 2017.

London-based energy giant BP announced on Wednesday it was appointing Meg O’Neill as CEO starting on April 1. The executive, who has been at the head of Australian group Woodside Energy for the past four years, is expected to focus her efforts on the company’s core oil and gas activities in a bid to catch up with rivals. Also in this edition: YouTube gains the rights to broadcast the Oscars ceremony starting in 2029, underlining streaming’s increasing power in Hollywood. 

From 2029, the Oscars will no longer air on US network television but will stream worldwide on YouTube, ending ABC’s decades-long broadcast. The Academy says the move reflects its global audience, as falling TV ratings and the rise of streaming continue to reshape Hollywood and the wider entertainment industry.

A trial opened December 18 in Aleppo for suspects accused of post-Assad violence, including attacks on transitional government forces. About 500 people are under investigation, in what is seen as a landmark case as it is the first time government-linked security forces are being held accountable, with Syrians closely watching for a fair trial. FRANCE 24’s Dana Alboz has more from Damascus.

Champions League title holders Paris Saint-Germain defeated Copa Libertadores winners Flamengo in a penalty shoot-out on Wednesday to clinch their first FIFA Intercontinental Cup title and wrap up the calendar year with a record six trophies.

Warner Brothers Discovery has rejected Paramount Skydance’s hostile takeover bid, saying it carries many risks and is inferior to Netflix’s offer.  The company’s board said the Ellison family that controls Paramount “consistently misled” them about guarantees and urged shareholders not to sell them their stocks. Plus, as oil prices rose following Donald Trump’s order to blockade oil tankers in and out of Venezuela, we take a look at just how central oil is to the country’s economy.