Author: France 24

For Spotlight, François Picard is pleased to welcome Ellis Cashmore Sociologist, cultural critic, Honorary Professor at Aston University and Author of “Celebrity Culture”. It was a historic first as Bad Bunny won album of the year at the 2026 Grammy Awards for his critically-acclaimed “Debí Tirar Más Fotos. Immigration was a central theme of the night. Bad Bunny was among a wide array of artists on stage to forcefully speak out against ICE: “Before I say thanks to God, I’m going to say ICE out,” he said to huge applause. Highlighting the humanity of all people, he added, “we’re not…

The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt has partially reopened, allowing limited pedestrian crossings after months of closure, offering a rare lifeline for Palestinians. Thousands of patients, students, and displaced families hope to cross for medical treatment, education, and aid, with Gaza’s health ministry saying 20,000 people are waiting to leave for care. However, Israel still controls the Palestinian side of the crossing, and humanitarian aid flows remain extremely restricted.

Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz dismissed a slow start to blast past Serbia’s Novak Djokovic in Melbourne on Sunday, becoming the youngest man to win all four majors. It’s Djokovic’s first defeat in a Melbourne final, having won the last 10, meaning he will have to continue the search for his landmark 25th major. 

When the Mongolian language started to disappear from classrooms in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in China’s north, many turned to the internet to keep their language and culture alive. A new investigation shows those remaining online spaces are being targeted by the Chinese government.

The 68th annual Grammy Awards take place this Sunday night in Los Angeles. Rapper Kendrick Lamar leads the nominees, along with Lady Gaga, pop princess Sabrina Carpenter, R+B singer Leon Thomas, and Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny, who could make history with the first win for an “album of the year” sung entirely in Spanish. Details and analysis by Christina L. Myers, an Assistant Professor of Journalism at Michigan State University.

Ambulances from the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing have been seen heading into Gaza. The reopening of the enclave’s southern crossing marks a major step in the US-backed peace plans’ second phase. But for the moment, the Rafah gate is only being used on a trial basis – and key details are still unclear. Many Palestinians have been waiting for this moment, as they head to Egypt for medical treatment. Analysis by Dr. James Smith, deputy director of UCL’s humanitarian policy and practice program.

Novak Djokovic came back from behind to qualify for his 11th Australian Open final on Friday, taking down reigning champion Jannik Sinner in a five-set epic.

German police searched Deutsche Bank’s Frankfurt headquarters and its Berlin office on Wednesday as part of a money-laundering investigation. Local media said the probe was connected to suspected offences in the bank’s dealings with companies linked to Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich.

Nigeria’s Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti will be posthumously honored this weekend with a Grammys Lifetime Achievement Award, becoming the first African artist to receive the prestigious distinction.

New Israeli air strikes slammed targets across Gaza on Saturday, including a Gaza City residential building and a tent camp Khan Younis, killing at least 30 people, hospital officials said. The strikes come just a day before the announced reopening of the enclave’s Rafah crossing with Egypt and mark a continually rising death toll as Israel and Hamas trade accusations of violating the ceasefire.