Author: France 24

Iran has declared the Strait of Hormuz closed and threatened to fire at any ship passing through it.  The narrow waterway is a vital chokepoint for global oil and gas, but also for other commodities such as fertiliser. France 24’s Yuka Royer speaks with Noam Raydan, a maritime risk expert at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy about the potential impact of the Strait’s closure and how Iran could further escalate the situation. 

Julien Bardakoff is a French translator and adapter who shaped some of the most iconic names in video game history. We’re pleased to speak to Julien as Pokemon celebrates its 30th anniversary. He tells us how Pokemon became a global phenomenon and why the little creatures are still as popular as ever. 

Rewatch as US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth addresses journalists regarding US and Israeli strikes in Iran, and analysis from FRANCE 24’s Fraser Jackson straight from Washington.

Olympique de Marseille defeated Olympique Lyonnais (3-2) at home. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored twice.

Four years to the day after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, we take a look at the state of the country’s economy. The World Bank estimates it will take $588 billion over the next 10 years to make up for damage and destruction incurred during the conflict. The housing, transport and energy sectors have seen the biggest losses. Also in this edition: Panama takes control of two key ports on the Panama Canal.

After four decades away from French stages, the Dance Theatre of Harlem is back in Paris – and making history once again. On arts24, Eve Jackson sits down with dancers Alexandra Hutchinson and Lindsey Donnell as they bring the company’s groundbreaking legacy to the Palais des Congrès de Paris. Born in 1969 in the wake of Martin Luther King Jr’s assassination, the company was founded on a belief: ballet belongs to everyone.

Reza Sayah FRANCE 24 correspondant in Tehran has more.

Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) were handed a blockbuster tie against Chelsea in Friday’s Champions League Round of 16 draw. The draw offers PSG a measure of revenge, months after the Parisians fell to the London side in the 2025 Club World Cup final. Elsewhere, a heavyweight showdown awaits as Real Madrid take on Manchester City.

Some 2 million people worldwide are poisoned by snakebites every year, resulting in the deaths of around 130,000 of them. Yet these deaths are avoidable through preventive measures, first aid and public policies to make antivenom available. The World Health Organization has labelled snakebite a neglected tropical disease and believes the subject should be given more attention. Our correspondent reports from Kenya, where war has been declared on snakebites. 

Despite headwinds from US tariffs and Chinese competition, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development’s latest report shows stronger-than-expected GDP growth, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa as decelerating inflation boosts consumer spending power. In Business, we spoke to the report’s lead author, EBRD chief economist Beata Javorcik.