Author: France 24

US President Donald Trump ramped up economic pressure on the Iranian regime on Monday by announcing he was imposing import duties on the goods of any country that trades with Tehran. The move could further disrupt US trade relationships with global economies like China and India. Also in this edition, we look at the global ramifications of any perceived attacks on the independence of the US Federal Reserve, as the Trump administration launches a criminal probe into Fed chair Jerome Powell. 

Her intricately layered artwork uses metal, rubber, canvas and printmaking to create scenes of oppression, trauma and renewal. As she stages her first major exhibition in Paris, Kathia St Hilaire joins us to talk about weaving her Haitian ancestry into her pieces, how Vodun practices inspire her work and why the late Haitian poet Frankétienne is a kindred spirit when it comes to his cyclical vision of a chaotic world. 

The death toll from nationwide protests in Iran spiked January 12 to at least 2,000 people killed, activists say. With the Internet down in Iran, gauging the demonstrations from abroad has grown more difficult. The Associated Press has been unable to independently assess the toll. Iran’s government hasn’t offered overall casualty figures. FRANCE 24’s Ershad Alijani, journalist at the Observers’ desk, tells us more about their findings.

Former Paris Saint-Germain academy product Jonathan Ikoné struck a late winner against his old club as Paris FC shocked the holders 1-0 on Monday to book their place in the last 16 of the French Cup.

Criticism has been pouring in from Republican and Democratic lawmakers, former Fed chairs and top officials after the US Justice Department launched a criminal investigation against Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell.  After he described the move as retaliation against the Fed for not lowering interest rates as quickly as the President wanted, concern over the central bank’s independence pushed prices of safe-haven assets like gold higher.  

In this edition of our arts24 music show, Jennifer Ben Brahim chats with musical polymath Jowee BasH! Omicil. The Haitian-Canadian artist blends jazz with Creole traditions, gospel, hip-hop and voodoo rhythms. He’s worked with the likes of André 3000, Tony Allen and Ibrahim Maalouf. He’s just released his 11th album “sMiLes”, a manifesto celebrating personal expression and the courage to take risks. 

French historian Vincent Lemire, who specialises in the history of Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories, has been banned from travelling to Israel for criticising the country’s deadly campaign in Gaza, the academic said Monday. Lemire previously worked as the head of the French Research Centre in Jerusalem.

Despite Kylian Mbappé’s return, FC Barcelona retained their Spanish Super Cup title on Sunday in Saudi Arabia after a thrilling final against Real Madrid (3-2).

The funeral of French screen icon Brigitte Bardot was being held on Wednesday in her hometown of Saint-Tropez, with a low-key service reflecting her devotion to animal welfare and far-right views. After the church service, Bardot is to be buried “in the strictest privacy” at a cemetery overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

Iranians took to the streets in new rallies against the clerical authorities overnight despite an internet shutdown, as a Norway-based rights groups on Sunday said the death toll after two weeks of protests had risen to at least 192. Iran’s parliamentary speaker warned that the US military and Israel would be “legitimate targets” if America strikes the country, as threatened by President Donald Trump. Follow our liveblog for all the latest updates.