Author: France 24

As the conflict in the Middle East engulfs Lebanon, with air strikes and evacuation orders once again shaking the foundations of society, we hear from Wissam Charaf and Zeid Hamdan, two Lebanese artists grappling with this moment of crisis. Filmmaker Wissam Charaf joins us by video link from Beirut to reflect on the past seven years and how they have driven many artists to flee the country.

Iran’s council of 88 clerics appointed Mojtaba Khamenei, son of late Ayatallah Ali Khamenei, as new supreme leader of the country. This as US-Israeli strikes keep pounding the country, targeting oil, civilian and military infrastructure. Now, US President Donald Trump is ‘gauging’ whether the new ayatollah is ‘a leader he can work with’, Nega Angha, Visiting Fellow at King’s College London, tells FRANCE 24.

Scotland scored seven tries to France’s six in a thrilling 50-40 win at Murrayfield on Saturday, ending the defending champions’ Grand Slam charge and ensuring the Six Nations title race goes to the final day.

While Germany faces a persistent shortage of skilled workers, one factor remains largely ignored: the impact of perimenopause. At this pivotal stage of their careers, many experienced women reduce their hours or leave the workforce because their needs are rarely recognised or supported. According to a survey, one in 10 women has left – or plans to leave – work due to menopause symptoms, while one in four reduces her working hours.

A struggle to control artificial intelligence is playing out, just as United States puts the technology to task in conflicts from Venezuela to Iran.

The woman who first theorised the idea of the male gaze has spoken to FRANCE 24 about her delight that her theories still resonate so much today. British feminist film theorist Laura Mulvey first wrote her essay back in 1975. But she says the phrase captured the popular imagination and has found its place in other areas of the arts. She spoke to us in Perspective about the positive and negative changes her theories have brought about.

The body responsible for selecting Iran’s next Supreme Leader said it had reached a decision, though the name has not yet been announced. Meanwhile, Israel warned it would “pursue every successor” to former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in joint US-Israeli airstrikes last weekend. Overnight, US and Israeli strikes targeted five oil facilities near Tehran, an Iranian official said. The sites were “damaged,” but the resulting fires were quickly brought under control. Also, Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported that the death toll from Israeli airstrikes over the past week has risen to 394, including many women and children.…

Italy ⁠pulled off ​their first-ever win over England at the 33rd ​attempt with a 23-18 victory at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday as the visitors slumped to a third ​successive ‌Six Nations defeat after Leonardo Marin’s ⁠try eight minutes from time.

As war escalates in the Middle East and Iran’s security forces order ships not to cross the Strait of Hormuz, oil prices have surged this Monday, putting pressure on global markets. In this edition, we speak to Jorge León of Rystad Energy to better understand the forces that are bringing benchmark energy prices higher. 

Director Paul Thomas Anderson’s politically charged thriller “One Battle After Another” took six prizes, including best picture and best director, at the British Academy Film Awards on Sunday. Blues-steeped vampire epic “Sinners” and gothic horror story “Frankenstein” won three awards each, while Shakespearean family tragedy “Hamnet” was named best British film.