Author: France 24

From the death of 1960s music star Marianne Faithfull, to Lady Gaga, Billie Eilish and Katie Perry performing at a huge benefit concert in Los Angeles and Prune Nourry’s Paris exhibition celebrating women’s bodies, Eve Jackson brings you the week’s culture news.

Hamas and Israel will carry out their fourth hostage-prisoner swap of the Gaza ceasefire on Saturday, with the militant group to free three Israeli captives in exchange for 90 inmates in Israeli jails. Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants have so far handed over 15 hostages to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

Five years ago, the U.K. officially left the bloc after almost five decades of membership that had brought free movement and free trade between Britain and 27 other European countries. For Brexit supporters, the U.K. was now a sovereign nation in charge of its own destiny. For opponents, it was an isolated and diminished country. For in-depth analysis and a deeper perspective on Brexit’s devastating sociopolitical and economic effects, FRANCE 24’s Oliver Farry welcomes Denis MacShane, Author, Former UK Minister for European Affairs & Contributing Editor at The Globalist. Mr. MacShane asserts that the Brexit referendum ‘was fought in 2016…

U.S.-funded aid programs around the world were firing staff and shutting down or preparing to stop operations, as the Trump administration’s unprecedented freeze on almost all foreign assistance brought their work to a sudden halt. FRANCE 24’s Charli James reports

Italy’s data protection agency has moved to block the Chinese AI chatbot DeepSeek after its developers failed to hand over information about how personal data is collected and whether it’s stored on Chinese servers. The French privacy watchdog also says it’s questioning DeepSeek. Plus, luxury cars, designer bags and gold bars were among some 300 items that went under the hammer in an auction of confiscated goods held by France’s anti-fraud agency. 

Paris is bursting with fashion energy and star power this January as celebrities and fashionistas descend upon the city of lights for Haute Couture Week. This is the twice-yearly celebration of an ultra-French institution – a dazzling mix of timeless tradition and cutting-edge innovation. Fashion journalist Samantha Tse speaks to Eve Jackson about the highlights, including shows from Schiaparelli, Dior and Valentino. We also visit the Paris Louvre for the museum’s first ever fashion exhibition and go through the best-dressed celebrities at the runway shows.

Madison Keys, once burdened by the weight of expectations, claimed her first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open on Saturday – defeating world number one Aryna Sabalenka. After nearly 16 years as a pro and 46 major appearances, Keys’s triumph came after years of mental struggles and therapy.

The European Commission has unveiled its long-awaited roadmap to revamp the sluggish economy.  The Competitiveness Compass builds on recommendations of last year’s report by former ECB President Mario Draghi. Plus, the UK government gives its backing to building a third runway at London’s Heathrow Airport. 

Taking on one of the 20th century’s most iconic singer-songwriters was always going to be a significant challenge, yet Timothée Chalamet manages to channel Bob Dylan’s singular energy and talent in this latest biopic. Film critic Emma Jones tells us why “A Compete Unknown” is a deserving Oscar contender. We also discuss Colman Domingo’s outstanding performance in “Sing Sing”, as the film shines a light on the real arts rehabilitation program that has brought hope and inspiration to so many inmates of the notorious prison. Meanwhile, hard-hitting Georgian film “April” marks the arrival of a talented filmmaker, as Dea Kulumbegashvili…

US President Donald Trump’s suggestion that Egypt and Jordan should absorb Palestinians from Gaza has gotten no takers in the Arab world, shocked US allies like France and Germany, and threatens to strengthen Hamas.