Author: France 24

Europe’s largest economy finally has a leader. Conservative Friedrich Merz was elected as German chancellor on Tuesday, but only after a second round of voting in the Bundestag. The unprecedented failure in the first round has raised doubts about the new government’s ability to revive a flagging economy through reforms. Germany’s industrial base, once the backbone of its economy, is eroding. What needs to be done for the country to bounce back? FRANCE 24’s Yuka Royer talks to Frederik Lange, senior manager for research of industrial and economic policy at the Federation of German Industries. 

In an interview with FRANCE 24, Palestinian National Initiative President Mustafa Barghouti sharply criticizes Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and his government, describing them as fascist and accusing them of attempting to resolve the issue of occupation by deepening it—actions he argues are in clear violation of international law. According to Barghouti, Israel is subjecting Palestinians to conditions akin to a concentration camp, forcing them to live under extreme hardship with the intent of driving them to leave. He accuses Israel of committing three grave war crimes simultaneously: genocide, collective punishment through starvation, and the ethnic cleansing of Gaza’s population.

Novelist Percival Everett won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction for “James”, a reimagining of Huckleberry Finn told from the perspective of an enslaved man, while playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins won the drama prize for “Purpose”, a play about a successful Black family in crisis. Other winners included Jason Roberts for biography, Marie Howe for poetry, and Susie Ibarra for music.

In a boiling Parc des Princes and with a one-goal lead, PSG managed to qualify for the 2nd Champions League final in their history. The culmination of a new project for Luis Enrique. Paris will now take on Milan to clinch their first Champions League title. 

As widely expected, the US Federal Reserve has kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged despite pressure from President Donald Trump.  Fed chair Jerome Powell warned the risks of higher inflation and higher unemployment had risen. Plus, Disney announced a plan to build its first theme park in the Middle East, on Abu Dhabi’s Yas island. But first, we take a look at how a 14-year civil war devastated Syria’s economy, as interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa visited Paris. 

The European Union renewed an urgent call on Wednesday for Israel to immediately lift the blockade on Gaza, allowing humanitarian aid to reach those in need, and warned against Israel’s planned new aid delivery mechanism. For in-depth analysis and a deeper perspective on the harrowing plight of humanitarian aid workers and displaced civilians in war-torn Gaza, FRANCE 24’s Delano D’Souza welcomes Olga Cherevko, Spokesperson for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

Film critic Ben Croll speaks to Eve Jackson about the latest film releases, including Cillian Murphy in his first starring role since winning the Oscar for “Oppenheimer”. They also discuss Canada’s master of the macabre, David Cronenberg’s deeply personal work “The Shrouds”, and the dark comedy “Rumours”, which imagines a G7 summit run amok starring Cate Blanchett. The show concludes with Claude Lelouch’s “Un homme et une femme”. The 1966 film’s return to theatres right before the Cannes Film Festival gives it a very particular honour, making it the official poster for the event which starts next week.

Inter Milan edged Barcelona 4-3 after extra time in a pulsating Champions League semifinal on Tuesday, advancing 7-6 on aggregate to reach their second final in three years. Substitute Davide Frattesi struck the 99th-minute winner, sealing a dramatic tie featuring two Barcelona fightbacks and 13 mesmerising goals.

Trump has said the US should recognise only two sexes and has moved to restrict gender-affirming care for minors and bar transgender people from the military. Yet Europe offers no safe haven either, as right-wing populism rises across the old continent. There is a lack of uniform EU standards for transgender individuals and almost half of EU member states don’t follow World Health Organisation guidelines for recognition of trans identities. For deeper insight, FRANCE 24’s Eve Irvine welcomes Flora Bolter, Co-Director of the LGBTI+ Observatory at the Jean Jaurès Foundation and long-time advocate for equality through political and grassroots activism.

Britain and India have finalised a free trade agreement after more than three years of negotiations.  The landmark deal will lower tariffs on each others’ goods, and aims to increase bilateral trade by a further 30 billion euros by 2040. Plus, the European Commission has published a ‘roadmap’ for its plans to cut its energy ties with Russia, including a ban on Russian gas by the end of 2027.