Author: France 24

Global crude oil prices fell about 10% and Wall Street stocks rallied after Donald Trump said he was holding off military strikes on Iran’s power plants following “constructive talks” with Tehran, despite Iran denying it was negotiating a deal. Meanwhile, France is looking at the possibility of increasing the country’s refining capacity to cushion the impact of higher petrol prices on consumers, but is stopping short of cutting fuel taxes. 

In this edition of our arts24 music show, Jennifer Ben Brahim chats with Mariana Da Cruz from the band Da Cruz and rising star Morenike. Da Cruz make contemporary world music with a message, often about the political and social situation in Brazil. Their latest album “Son Sistema” is an exploration of Mariana’s African and Brazilian roots through sound, and also looks at the future of Black club music. The genres range from South African amapiano to Brazilian baile funk and Caribbean shatta.

President Donald Trump extended his deadline for Iran to reopen the crucial Strait of Hormuz to international shipping. He had previously given a 48-deadline to Tehran, which would lead to strikes on Iranian power plants were the Strait not to reopen. The backtracking could have been encouraged by Gulf States, who have been targeted by vigorous strikes by Iran; FRANCE 24’s Philip Turle tells us more.

LOSC beat Marseille (2-1) at the Stade Vélodrome on matchday 27 of Ligue 1 and are closing in on a top-three finish.

The long-awaited return to the stage of K-pop sensation BTS is set to boost South Korea’s tourism and consumer economy. Our regional correspondents report. But first: the war in Iran upends the spring travel season for airlines and passengers alike, and investors await the latest rate call from the US Federal Reserve.

The death of Chuck Norris has triggered an outpouring of memorials from fellow Hollywood tough guys and fans. The martial arts grandmaster and action star of “Walker, Texas Ranger” died Thursday, in what his family described as a “sudden passing.”

In the southern Lebanese city of Nabatia, paramedics and residents are living under near-constant air strikes, as Israel targets areas it says are linked to Hezbollah. With much of the population displaced, those who remain face daily danger, limited supplies, and relentless uncertainty as emergency teams race to respond to each new strike. Claire Paccalin and Ahmad Chihedeh report. 

Lens delivered a statement performance on Friday, thrashing Angers 5-1 at home to provisionally move back to the top of Ligue 1. The Sang et Or are closing in on a Champions League place, and piling the pressure on PSG.

Strikes on the natural gas production facilities of Iran and Qatar have sent energy prices soaring, with central bankers around the world struggling to set monetary policy amid a highly uncertain inflationary outlook. We take a closer look. Also in this edition: the French shipbuilding industry welcomes the start of construction of the country’s next nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.

South Korean megastars BTS reunite Saturday for their first show in nearly four years, with an expected 260,000 fans taking over central Seoul for a K-pop extravaganza livestreamed to millions more worldwide.