Author: France 24

As Ukraine and the US reportedly reach an agreement on a joint exploitation of Ukraine’s critical minerals, FRANCE 24 takes a closer look at exactly which minerals can be found in Ukraine and why they are so crucial to the US economy. However, a number of obstacles will make it difficult for the US to fully profit from the country’s deposits, as we explain in this edition. 

With the first phase of the ceasefire that paused 15 months of war between Israel and Hamas set to end on March 1, FRANCE 24 spoke to Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar. The second phase entails in theory the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza but what comes next remains unclear. “We don’t intend to stay there (in Gaza),” Sa’ar said. However, he added: “We have clear objectives. And the objectives are the release of all our hostages, and that [the] Gaza Strip will not threat[en] anymore Israel’s security and Israel’s citizens.”

Join us on arts24 for an in-depth interview with acclaimed Irish author Mike McCormack, as he delves into his latest novel, “This Plague of Souls”, now available in French. Known for his unconventional storytelling, McCormack explores themes of confinement and global unrest through the journey of Nealon, a painter returning home from prison to face a mysterious presence.

Pope Francis showed “slight improvement” on Monday, as his battle with pneumonia in both of his lungs entered its eleventh day, though he remains in critical condition and at risk of sepsis. The 88-year-old, who had one of his lungs removed as a young man, was reportedly “not in pain” and “in a good mood”.

A single goal from Fabian Ruiz secured a narrow Paris Saint-Germain victory against Toulouse in Ligue 1 on Saturday while Marseilles resoundingly beat rivals Saint-Etienne and Monaco thrashed Nantes with a 7-1 sweep.

The World Bank estimates it will take over $500 billion to rebuild Ukraine after three years of war. Bitcoin hit its lowest level in over three months. And a thousand musicians including Kate Bush, Cat Stevens and Annie Lennox are protesting the UK government’s planned changes to copyright law.

The main session of Syria’s national dialogue conference takes place in Damascus on Tuesday, gathering representatives from across society to discuss how to restructure the country’s laws and institutions in the wake of the lightening rebel offensive that overthrew the decades-long dictatorship of Bashar al-Assad. 

Vatican thriller “Conclave” won top prize at an unpredictable Screen Actors Guild Awards gala Sunday, throwing a potential late curveball into the Oscars race just a week before the Academy Awards. Story by Florent Marchais.

Pope Francis is still critically ill as he battles double pneumonia and the onset of slight kidney failure, but he remains alert, the Vatican said. Story by Florent Marchais.

Lille midfielder Nabil Bentaleb staged a star comeback on Sunday, scoring the opening goal in a match won by his team that marked his return to the pitch following a heart attack last year.