Author: France 24

As Venezuela’s opposition contests the re-election of President Nicolas Maduro, we take a closer look at the South American country’s economic challenges. Hyperinflation, which reached a peak in 2019, may have subsided but it has underlined issues with wealth inequality and dependence on the oil sector. In addition, Caracas is carrying a massive foreign debt load of around $150 billion.

The writer Edna O’Brien, whose more than 60-year career included the 1960 novel “The Country Girls” that scandalised society in her native Ireland, died on Saturday aged 93, her agent said. O’Brien was named a commander of France’s Order of Arts and Letters in 2021 for her contributions to literature.

France’s Léon Marchand won a gold medal and set an Olympic record in the men’s 400-metre individual medley at the Paris Games on Sunday, pulling away from his rivals as thousands of fans at La Defense Arena chanted his name.

Shorouq spoke to FRANCE 24 in November about the challenges facing pregnant women in Gaza, which is experiencing severe shortages of both food and medical care. Eight months later, we asked her how she and her family are coping; not only do they face a constant threat from air strikes and shelling, but Shorouq’s daughter is suffering from stomach parasites due to dirty water. 

With its breathtaking location on the Mediterranean, Marseille is one of the French cities hosting the 2024 Olympics. The Games are a perfect opportunity to promote its cultural wealth to the world. Join Eve Jackson for a special show about the French city going for gold when it comes to music, food and the arts. We meet 3-star Michelin chef and former professional basketball player Alexandre Mazzia, who’s an Olympic torchbearer and one of the chefs chosen to cook for the athletes. We also visit the photo exhibition where sportswomen are in the spotlight and speak to dancer and social worker Marina Gomes…

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu Wednesday told the US Congress that Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza is also America’s war. “Our fight is your fight … Our enemies are your enemies,” Netanyahu said to thunderous applause. Despite the overwhelming show of support in the chamber, dozens of congressional Democrats boycotted the speech while thousands of protesters demonstrated outside the Capitol. Watch the full speech here.

South Korean archer Lim Si-hyeon breaks the world record as her country looks set to continue its domination of the sport at the Paris Olympics. Also, France’s Rugby Sevens team suffer a setback, losing to Fiji in their final pool game. Australian swimming coach Michael Palfrey is condemned by his team for comments backing another country’s swimmer. Meanwhile, Léon Marchand is dealing with the pressure of being France’s top swimming hope. Finally, our series focusing on Colombian racewalker Eider Arévalo concludes.

As FRANCE 24 takes a look at the artistic and cultural iterations of the Olympic Games, fashion designer Stéphane Ashpool invites us into his Paris workshop to get a sneak preview of his creations for the French athletes competing this summer. With a modern take on French heritage, Ashpool blends his love for sports and his eye for detail in these hi-tech garments.

The Israeli Defence Forces announced on Thursday that they had found the bodies of five hostages killed during the October 7 attacks who have been held in Gaza ever since. Corpses of a kindergarten teacher and four soldiers were found during a military operation in Khan Younis, the main city in the southern Gaza Strip, where the IDF have launched new attacks this week. Those found are among the 120 hostages listed as still being held in Gaza.

While team sports will take centre stage Thursday on the eve of the Opening Ceremony of the Paris Olympics, the first individual event of the 2024 Games – archery – will be drawing all eyes to the Invalides on the banks of the River Seine. French rugby star Antoine Dupont’s Les Bleus enter their second day of play as the French women’s football team led by Hervé Renard take to the field to fight for their first major title. And the Olympic Torch continues its journey around Paris with a stopover in the city’s northeast suburb of Seine-Saint-Denis.