Author: France 24

The international jury of the Venice Biennale resigned Thursday, just days before the world’s oldest and most important contemporary art fair opens. No reason was given, but the move came as Italy’s government opposed Russia’s participation. FRANCE 24’s Seema Gupta reports from Rome.

A Beirut-based filmmaker whose debut feature film has been described as an ode to the collective courage of the Lebanese people has spoken to FRANCE 24 about the film and her love for the city. Lana Daher has spent years working in Beirut and the last six years delving through thousands of hours of footage from Lebanon. That work comes together in her film “Do You Love Me”. She spoke to us in Perspective.

François Picard is pleased to welcome Merijn Tinga, a biologist, artist and activist affectionately known as the Plastic Soup Surfer. He joins us, not only as a scientist or activist, but as someone who spends hours a day on the water, experiencing directly the forces we so often abstract away. From the surfboard, everything becomes clear: “You become one with the wind, with the waves… you have one focus.” And yet back on land, “you’re immersed by this throwaway culture”.

After a tight match, the Gunners and the Colchoneros parted on good terms with the score at 1–1, and will battle it out for a place in the final in London next Tuesday. Both goals in the match were scored from the penalty spot.

The energy shock and economic headwinds caused by the Iran war have increased uncertainty in Latin America – but the region remains resilient. That’s according to Ilan Goldfajn, President of the Inter-American Development Bank. He tells France 24 there are requests for “targeted support” like energy diversification and fertilizer needs. Also in the show – Jerome Powell gives his last press conference as Federal Reserve Chair, as his successor Kevin Warsh takes a step closer to confirmation. 

We discuss the harrowing incident at the centre of Marta Bergman’s poignant new film, as critic Manon Kerjean tells us why “The Silent Run” is a powerful, haunting take on the terrifying scenarios that many refugees face. We also review Alain Gomis’s atmospheric journey through family rites and rituals in Guinea-Bissau in “Dao”. Plus Laure Calamy and Vincent Macaigne negotiate belly laughs and bittersweet moments in “What is Love?” as a separated couple re-visiting their past on a trip to Rome.

One of the world’s leading historians on the Palestinian people has told FRANCE 24 about how there is a future basis for peace in the region. Rashid Khalidi has spent years writing a series of books on the region and its conflicts, often through the eyes of his own family. He says that millions of people are not going to leave their land, so there’s a basis for the two peoples to figure something out. Khalidi is in Paris for several appearances, including at the Arab World Institute. He spoke to us in Perspective.

A French mayor’s attempt to bar a popular fast-food outlet from selling “junk food” has kicked off a bitter feud in the Paris suburb of Saint-Ouen, giving France’s fractious left yet another subject to wrangle over. 

FIFA announced on Tuesday that players who cover their mouths during confrontations with opponents could be sent off at this year’s World Cup under new anti-racism measures while walking off the pitch in protest at refereeing decisions may also result in red cards.

The United Arab Emirates has announced it will leave OPEC and OPEC+ on May 1, in a significant blow to the oil cartels.  In a statement, the Gulf country said it was doing so to focus on its national interest.  The country had often expressed frustration at production quotas set by the group, and its relationship with Saudi Arabia, OPEC’s de facto leader, had become increasingly tense.