Author: France 24

French director Xavier Giannoli’s latest film sees Jean Dujardin embody the moral slide from pacifism to collaboration, as the Academy Award-winning actor helms the historical drama “Les Rayons et les Ombres”. Film critic Manon Kerjean tells us why the complexity of its characters gives the film a powerful sense of nuance and why – at over three hours long – it’s still a compelling watch.

At the Joussieh border crossing near the Syrian city of Homs, thousands of Syrian refugees are fleeing the devastating war in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah. Driven out by Israeli air strikes after years of exile in Lebanon, families and children wait for hours before returning to a country where 90 percent of the population is surviving in post-Assad poverty. FRANCE 24’s Dana Alboz and Hussam Hammoud report.

Morocco was stunningly awarded the Africa Cup of Nations title. Morocco had lodged a protest and see case upheld more than two months after lost final.

Britain has been hit by an “unprecedented” meningitis outbreak, the country’s health minister warned Tuesday after two students died from catching a rare bacterial strain of the disease. So far, 15 cases have been reported. The outbreak has been linked to a Canterbury nightclub.

Two Indian-flagged tankers together carrying over 92,000 metric tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas have arrived at ports in Gujarat state after safely passing through the Strait of Hormuz.  New Delhi has been negotiating with Iran, but the government denies discussing the possible release of Iranian tankers it seized in February as part of the bargain. Meanwhile, global crude prices jumped again amid new Iranian attacks on the UAE. 

Dancer, choreographer and singer Ralph Beaubrun has built a global following with his joyful dance classes and infectious energy online. Now the Franco-Haitian artist is stepping further into music with his new EP “ID.2”, blending Afro-Caribbean rhythms, shatta and pop while singing in Creole, French and English.

As yet another war rages in the Middle East, we take a closer look at the United States’ military presence across the region. It’s a presence that stretches back decades, but took on heightened visibility during the Iran-Iraq war of the 1980s, when both those nations began targeting oil tankers and merchant shipping vessels in the Arabian Gulf. Some 40,000 to 50,000 US troops are stationed across the region full-time. FRANCE 24’s Luke Shrago and David Gilberg explain where they are stationed.

Paris Saint-Germain travel to Chelsea for the second leg of the Champions League round of 16. Having won the first leg at home 5-2, Paris Saint-Germain are the clear favourites to advance.

Global oil prices fell sharply on Monday after a Pakistan-bound oil tanker passed through the Strait of Hormuz with its transponder on. The decline came even as countries have so far rebuffed Donald Trump’s request to send warships to escort vessels through the waterway. Meanwhile, the International Energy Agency said its members could unlock more oil from their strategic reserves after agreeing to jointly release a record 400 million barrels from their emergency stockpiles. 

From vampires and car chases to K-pop and Shakespeare, this year’s Oscars showcased the range and creativity of contemporary cinema. The clear winner of the night was “One Battle After Another” from director Paul Thomas Anderson. The satirical epic took home six Academy Awards, including Best Picture, confirming its status as one of the year’s most acclaimed films. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, the film blends action, comedy and political satire, exploring themes such as authoritarianism, immigration tensions and the rise of extremism.