Author: France 24

The World Bank was created in 1944 with a simple mission: to finance reconstruction post-World War II, a mandate that later evolved into reducing global poverty and fostering development. Over the decades, the mission has broadly stayed the same, but the methods have evolved – often through trial and error. Charles Pellegrin speaks to Axel van Trotsenburg, the outgoing senior managing director of the World Bank, who has been part of the institution for nearly 40 years.

This month brings the end of an era as “Stranger Things” returns for its fifth and final season. Meanwhile, Ryan Murphy’s “All’s Fair”, starring Kim Kardashian, in her first leading role has united critics in calling it a catastrophe, with The Guardian dubbing it “fascinatingly, existentially terrible”. Plus, a provocative new French series “Seduction” reimagines the classic tale of “Dangerous Liaisons”. TV critic Dheepthika Laurent guides us through the must-watch (and must-avoid) shows of the month.

Over 130 Gazan students who have been offered places at Canadian universities remain stranded in Gaza, some waiting over 18 months for visas. Two students have already lost their lives, while others continue to face extreme risks. Canada attributes the delays to security checks and evacuation challenges, but critics highlight that other countries, including the UK, Italy, Ireland, and France, have successfully evacuated students. FRANCE 24’s Jessica Le Masurier reports.

The Golden Triangle takes part of its name from its location on the border of three countries: Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos. Gold refers to “black gold” – or opium – which has contributed to the wealth of the region since it was first produced there in the 19th century. The CIA popularised the name Golden Triangle in the 1970s, when drug trafficking reached its peak. Nearly 700 tonnes of opium were produced every year in the region and exported worldwide. It was often sold as heroin. But the region has seen a rise in new illicit synthetic drugs such as methamphetamine and…

Cristiano Ronaldo and his future-wife Georgia were at the White House on November 18 as President Donald Trump hosted a glitzy dinner to honor Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

It’s the third Thursday of November, meaning this year’s Beaujolais Nouveau is out on sale.  Massively popular in the 1980s, the wine has seen its sales decline significantly. The French wine sector as a whole has been in difficulty, amid climate change, trade tensions and falling demand. 

Currently touring Europe, jazz musician and trumpet player Takuya Kuroda sits down with FRANCE 24 to speak about his beginnings in the industry and his recording process. Originally from Kobe in Japan, Kuroda says the country’s jazz scene, particularly vibrant in Tokyo, encouraged him to go to New York. The Big Apple, he says, is still an influential “melting pot” of cultures and styles. When it comes to “contemporary crossovers” in his own music, Kuroda credits jazz vocalist José James, whom he met during his studies, with showing him how to blend jazz with other genres like funk and hip-hop.

The Lebanese army on Thursday arrested infamous drug kingpin Nouh Zaiter during an operation in the country’s east, according to a military source. Zaiter, who is under European and US sanctions, is accused of running a vast cross-border narcotics empire.

In this episode of Arts 24, we look at “Fall of Freedom” – a nationwide wave of performances, readings and public art events as artists across the United States mobilise against mounting censorship and political pressure on cultural institutions. Hundreds of theatres, museums, and libraries are taking part on November 21 and 22 in what organisers call an urgent stand for artistic freedom. Joining us from New York are two of the movement’s leading voices: Pulitzer Prize–winning playwright Lynn Nottage and visual artist Dread Scott. They discuss why they believe democracy is at risk, how cultural institutions are being pressured…

Achraf Hakimi on Wednesday became the first defender in over half a century to win African Footballer of the Year at the 2025 CAF Awards in Rabat, topping Mohamed Salah and Victor Osimhen after a trophy-filled season with PSG.