Author: France 24

You’ll hear its unmistakable sound in tiny islands of the South Pacific, bustling capitals in West Africa and chilly ports in the northeast of the Americas. The French language is spoken by more than 390 million people all over the world, and that linguistic community is celebrated by the International Organisation of Francophonie. French content is also increasingly popular on social media, with lifestyle, culture and education influencers sharing linguistic tips online.

Genie Godula is pleased to welcome Steven Everts, Director of European Union Institute for Security Studies (EUISS). According to Mr. Everts, the current conflict is an unnecessary war defined by cycles of retaliation that risk expanding beyond their original scope, with serious implications for regional stability and global energy markets. Europe is already feeling the economic fallout, but the deeper concern lies in the possibility of further destabilisation. He sees this war as strategically counterproductive, not only for Europe but for broader international stability.

PSG and Liverpool will face each other in the Champions League for the second consecutive year, this time in the quarter-finals. After being defeated 1-0 by Galatasaray in the first leg, the Reds completely turned the situation around in the return leg, winning 4-0. This gives them the chance to take revenge on the French side, who knocked them out on penalties last year in the round of 16.

The Trump administration is taking steps to curb rising energy costs, as it continues to wage war in the Middle East. The US is easing sanctions on Venezuela, and suspending a century-old shipping law, in an effort to get more oil supplies into the global market. Oil prices continues to rise, with crude topping $109 per barrel, as Gulf energy infrastructure was targeted by strikes. Also in the show – the UN’s maritime agency seeks safe passage for sailors trapped by the conflict. 

French director Xavier Giannoli’s latest film sees Jean Dujardin embody the moral slide from pacifism to collaboration, as the Academy Award-winning actor helms the historical drama “Les Rayons et les Ombres”. Film critic Manon Kerjean tells us why the complexity of its characters gives the film a powerful sense of nuance and why – at over three hours long – it’s still a compelling watch.

At the Joussieh border crossing near the Syrian city of Homs, thousands of Syrian refugees are fleeing the devastating war in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah. Driven out by Israeli air strikes after years of exile in Lebanon, families and children wait for hours before returning to a country where 90 percent of the population is surviving in post-Assad poverty. FRANCE 24’s Dana Alboz and Hussam Hammoud report.

Morocco was stunningly awarded the Africa Cup of Nations title. Morocco had lodged a protest and see case upheld more than two months after lost final.

Britain has been hit by an “unprecedented” meningitis outbreak, the country’s health minister warned Tuesday after two students died from catching a rare bacterial strain of the disease. So far, 15 cases have been reported. The outbreak has been linked to a Canterbury nightclub.

Two Indian-flagged tankers together carrying over 92,000 metric tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas have arrived at ports in Gujarat state after safely passing through the Strait of Hormuz.  New Delhi has been negotiating with Iran, but the government denies discussing the possible release of Iranian tankers it seized in February as part of the bargain. Meanwhile, global crude prices jumped again amid new Iranian attacks on the UAE. 

Dancer, choreographer and singer Ralph Beaubrun has built a global following with his joyful dance classes and infectious energy online. Now the Franco-Haitian artist is stepping further into music with his new EP “ID.2”, blending Afro-Caribbean rhythms, shatta and pop while singing in Creole, French and English.