Author: France 24

French Open title holder Iga Swiatek saved a match point as she eked out a narrow win on Wednesday over fellow four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka, who was making her French Open comeback just months after returning from a lengthy maternity break. Source link

The number of executions recorded worldwide last year jumped to the highest level since 2015, with a sharp rise in Iran and across the Middle East, Amnesty International said in a report released Wednesday. Source link

Yolande Zauberman’s documentaries venture into the lesser-seen corners of life in Israel; her latest film is inspired by the journey of a transsexual woman who apparently travelled from Gaza to Tel Aviv on foot, in search of a new life. Film critic Lisa Nesselson applauds this insightful endeavour, and tells us why questions surrounding gender are less entertaining in “Marcello Mio”, French director Christophe Honoré’s latest feature starring Chiara Mastroianni and Catherine Deneuve. We also check out a new version of the fascinating 1982 film “Chien Blanc” and discuss the apocalyptic high jinks in “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga”, fresh…

Defying an order from the International Court of Justice, Israeli forces have kept up their offensive in Rafah, where they aim to root out the last major intact formations of Hamas fighters and rescue hostages. “Never before has Israel come under such sustained legal and diplomatic pressure from the international community,” said Andrew Hilliar, FRANCE24 Senior Journalist. Click on the video for more.   Source link

As South Africans vote in the country’s general election this Wednesday, we focus on the state of the economy after three decades under the rule of the African National Congress. In this edition, we see how the country’s crumbling energy infrastructure has hampered economic activity and explore the reasons behind South Africa’s high unemployment rate. Also, we look at the different types of economic policies that could emerge depending on the results of the election. Source link

Defending champion Novak Djokovic shrugged off his recent troubles to sweep to his 93rd career win at the French Open on Tuesday, extending his run of first round Roland Garros victories to a perfect 20. Source link

Algeria is circulating a proposed UN Security Council resolution that would demand an immediate cease-fire in Gaza and order Israel to halt its military offensive in the southern city of Rafah immediately. This comes hours after an Israeli strike killed at least 21 people at a displacement camp west of the southern city of Rafah. Follow our liveblog for the latest developments in the war in Gaza. Source link

When the ANC, founded by Nelson Mandela, swept to power in 1994, it promised “a better life for all”.  But now, South Africa is worse off than it was 30 years ago and the governing party could lose its parliamentary majority in Wednesday’s election, with voters frustrated with soaring unemployment – above 30% – and stark inequality.  France 24 spoke with Dr. Azar Jammine, chief economist at the think tank Econometrix, about the state of the South African economy.    Source link

Jamaica’s beaches, gentle Rastas and uplifting reggae music make up the postcard version of an idyllic island nation – an image Safiya Sinclair says she wanted to flesh out in her compelling memoir “How to Say Babylon”. The author recounts a childhood spent observing tropical fauna and flora and reading poetry, far from tourist hotels and the bustling street life of the Jamaican capital. She joins us to discuss the double standard for Rastafari boys and girls, the symbolic meaning of cutting off her dreadlocks and the hidden literary talents of a mother who inspired her personal and professional journey. Source link

Cameroon football was plunged deeper into crisis on Tuesday when a meeting between football federation president Samuel Eto’o and the country’s new Belgian coach Marc Brys turned into an angry showdown. Source link