Author: France 24

Argentina’s President Javier Milei is defending himself against accusations that he promoted a cryptocurrency that crashed, leaving investors with losses worth billions of dollars. The libertarian firebrand had initially posted a message on social media showcasing the launch of a new token on Friday night, saying it would stimulate economic growth. Also in this edition: our reporters in Germany meet the business owners angry at the ruling coalition for the decline in the country’s competitiveness.

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The hit musical comedy “Company” is coming to France. The show by Stephen Sondheim premiered on Broadway in 1970 and is a series of vignettes centered around Bobby, a 35-year-old single New Yorker who’s trying to find his place among his group of married friends. We spoke to “Company” director James Bonas about the show and its Parisian premiere.

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After the US and China, India has the third-highest percentage of obese citizens in the world, with over 135 million Indians classed as overweight or obese. In light of this alarming trend, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched a nationwide anti-obesity campaign. Rising obesity rates are meanwhile adding to diabetes cases, with India counting 212 million diagnosed adults in 2022. Some Indians dealing with obesity are turning to bariatric surgeries that help reduce food consumption by removing a part of the stomach, while others prefer traditional methods such as acupuncture. FRANCE 24’s Khansa Juned and Lisa Gamonet report.

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At the opening of the National People’s Congress in Beijing, Chinese Premier Li Qiang presented the country’s parliament with his government’s work report for 2025. Li stressed the importance of revitalising domestic consumption as a driver for economic growth, especially in a context of increased global trade tensions. For the first time in decades, deficit spending will reach 4 percent of GDP. Also in this edition: Europeans consider using Russian frozen assets to finance increased defense spending.

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This week, the US tightened the screws on Ukraine, pausing military aid until Kyiv shows more willingness to negotiate—starting with handing over half its rare earth resources to America. Moscow welcomed the shift, calling it “aligned with the Kremlin’s vision,” while Ukraine scrambled to smooth things over with a letter to Trump.  Trump also kicked off the biggest protectionist move since 1930, slapping heavy tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China. Markets tanked, and The Wall Street Journal called it “the dumbest tariff war in history.” By week’s end, signs of a rollback emerged, and Justin Trudeau hit back with his…

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Wax print fabrics or Ankara fabrics are known for their graphic patterns, bold colours and catchy slogans. The iconic cloth is now being celebrated in an exhibition at the Musée de l’Homme in Paris, where curators have been exploring its anthropological, social and political role on the African continent and beyond. Kenyan artist Thandiwe Muriu joins us to talk about the fabric’s function in her striking portraits, and how she uses textiles to explore identity, aesthetics and her own place in society. Thandiwe tells us how clothes and the messages they send can empower and emancipate women, and we discuss…

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