Author: France 24

Volkswagen’s management went head to head with some 25,000 employees as leaders defended planned cost cuts that include possible plant closures in Germany and the end to a longrunning job protection scheme. Unions say the threat is tantamount to a “declaration of bankturptcy”.  But first, China rolled out the red carpet to dozens of African leaders as it kicked off the ninth edition of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. 

Are the gloves off in Israel? After the October 7th attack by Hamas, the nation put aside bitter differences. But after the killing of six Israeli hostages, cue the biggest protests since last year’s attempted judicial overhaul by Binyamin Netanyahu’s hard right government. Demonstrators accuse the prime minister of piling on demands to extend a war that has become his ticket to staying in power. 

Showcasing upcoming movies starring Daniel Craig, Tilda Swinton, Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt and George Clooney, there’s a generous dose of Hollywood glamour at this year’s Venice Film festival. Film critic Emma Jones brings us the latest from La Serenissima, and flags up some of the major new releases which could be in the running for the top prize: the Golden Lion.

More than 20 years ago, a study significantly changed the perception of hormonal treatment for menopause, pointing to increased risks of breast cancer or cardiovascular diseases. But today, new data has transformed the dominant view on how to treat the many symptoms of menopause. FRANCE 24’s Julia Sieger tells us more.

Lebanon’s former central bank governor, Riad Salameh, has been arrested in Beirut. Once lauded for reviving the country’s economy after the civil war, Salameh’s later years in office were marred by allegations of financial crimes including embezzlement and money laundering.  Plus, the trial against Martin Winterkorn, the former CEO of Volkswagen, has begun nine years after the “Dieselgate” emissions cheating scandal sent shockwaves through the global auto industry. 

Lebanon’s former central bank governor, Riad Salameh, was arrested on Tuesday following a judicial hearing in the capital Beirut. Salameh has been charged in Lebanon with financial crimes including money-laundering, embezzlement and illicit enrichment. He has denied all wrongdoing. 

On today’s arts24 music show, Jennifer Ben Brahim chats with Thibaut de Longeville, director of the award-winning documentary series “DJ Mehdi: Made in France”. The French-Tunisian producer was one of the rare musicians to unite the worlds of hip-hop and electro as well as being synonymous with the Ed Banger label – the pioneers of the “French Touch” movement. DJ Mehdi passed away in September 2011 after a tragic accident; he was only 34 years old. The six-part documentary series weaves together archival footage, first-hand accounts from loved ones and musicians to form a rich tapestry that was the life…

Japan won its first-ever gold medal in wheelchair rugby at Paris’s Champs-de-Mars Arena Monday night, surging ahead of the US team at half-time. It was an infuriating night for the US, which has failed to win gold in the fast-paced sport – once known as “murderball” for its full-contact play-style – since 2008.

A panel of five Supreme Court justices in Brazil has unanimously upheld the decision of one of its judges to block Elon Musk’s social media platform X in the country. The platform has already been suspended since Saturday for violating local rules. According to Brazil’s telecom regulator, only Starlink, the satellite operator controlled by Musk, says it will not comply with the order. Plus, German employers are worried after the anti-immigration AfD made a strong showing in state elections. 

Suspected attacks by Houthi militants targeted two ships in the Red Sea on Monday in an area where crews hoped to tow a Greek oil tanker damaged in an earlier strike by Houthi forces. The Houthis have targeted more than 80 vessels with missiles and drones since the war in Gaza started in October.