Author: France 24

Ask just about any EU leader who they want to win the US election on November 5, and you will hear a politically correct answer along the lines of “We will work with any US president to develop transatlantic ties”. However there is little doubt that many of them will be privately relieved if Vice-President Kamala Harris wins. She has drawn a clear line from her opponent, former president Donald Trump, on US engagement with the world and particularly on support for Ukraine. But it is not as if the current Biden-Harris administration has always been smooth for Europe: for example,…

It’s an environmental tragedy with ongoing consequences in Ivory Coast. Back in 2006, the company Trafigura wanted to get rid of 500 cubic metres of toxic waste from the refining of petroleum products stored on its cargo ship Probo Koala. After three countries refused the ship, it finally unloaded its cargo in Ivory Coast after four months at sea. With the approval of the authorities, a local company took charge of dumping the toxic waste around Abidjan, impacting least 100,000 residents and causing several deaths. Eighteen years on, many are still fighting for justice. FRANCE 24’s Julia Guggenheim, Damien Koffi,…

The Kenya Ice Lions are Kenya’s ice hockey team. Aside from South Africa, Kenya is the only sub-Saharan African country with an ice rink. Recently, the team achieved a significant milestone: they are now members of the International Ice Hockey Federation, and they are dreaming of competing on the international stage. FRANCE 24’s Bastien Renouil and Olivia Bizot joined them at one of their practice sessions.

A lawsuit has been filed against McDonald’s over an E.coli outbreak linked to its quarter pounders. Tesla’s stock soared 21% after Elon Musk surprised investors with a strong sales forecast. Boeing’s crisis just got worse after factory workers voted to extend a crippling strike. Plus, a polish radio station has replaced journalists with AI presenters.

When the cult French film “La Haine” came out 30 years ago, it sent shockwaves through the world of French cinema. The movie has now been adapted for a musical; our reporters went to La Seine Musicale theatre to check it out. Meanwhile, Lyon is currently hosting its contemporary art biennale, with hundreds of pieces popping up in the streets and in venues around the city. This year’s theme is “Crossing the Water” and includes artwork from all over the world. Plus, we take a look at a celebration of pop art at the Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris entitled…

At least 12 civilians were killed in Turkish air strikes in northeastern Syria on Thursday, according to the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces. The attack comes a day after Turkey launched air strikes on Kurdish militants in Iraq and Syria, blaming them for an attack that killed five people at a defence firm near Ankara.

Sickle cell anemia is an inherited blood disorder that can leave sufferers struggling with serious, sometimes excruciatingly painful health complications. Most of the eight million people worldwide who have the disease are of African descent. With the right care, those with sickle cell can live full and active lives, but everything from limited awareness to long delays in detecting SCD can negatively affect survival rates. For more information, Georja Calvin-Smith interviews Christian Birmuala Kiese, spokesperson for AB Drepa in Nairobi, Kenya.

A superb goal by Pierre Lees-Melou helped newcomers Brest to a 1-1 draw against Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday as both teams maintained their unbeaten run in the Champions League.

Tokyo Metro, the main operator of the Japanese capital’s sprawling underground rail network, made a stellar market debut on Wednesday in the country’s biggest IPO in six years. Its shares rose 45 percent on its first day. Plus, FRANCE 24’s correspondents visit Las Vegas to report on the state of the economy in the key swing state of Nevada. 

He was an icon of la chanson française. Charles Aznavour’s lyrical talent illuminated the 20th century and shone until his death in 2018. The singer-songwriter’s life has now been brought to the screen by Mehdi Idir and slam poet Grand Corps Malade. Film critic Perrine Quennesson tells us why actor Tahar Rahim’s performance as “Monsieur Aznavour” is an excellent reason to see the film. We also discuss another biopic, “Niki”, which revisits the trials and triumphs of Franco-American artist Niki de Saint Phalle. Plus we check out François Ozon’s latest family drama “When Fall is Coming” and an animated feature, “Savages”,…