Author: France 24

Sébastien “Lazarus” Lecornu miraculously shakes off the shortest term of a prime minister in modern French history, only to survive not one but two death-defying political feats: weathering consecutive votes of no-confidence. As the newly rejuvenated prime minister lives to see another day in France’s ongoing political telenovela, Genie Godula is pleased to welcome Dr. Joseph Downing, Senior Lecturer in International Relations and Politics at Aston University. Dr. Downing masterfully unpacks the seismic return of Lecornu as he rolls back Macron’s campaign centrepiece, his signature pension reform. For now, France’s retirement age and generous pension system, the envy of the…

Since the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas started, both sides are carrying out Donald Trump’s 20-point plan for Gaza. Israel is releasing the bodies of Palestinians killed during the conflict in exchange for the Israeli hostages being handed back. Israel however remains cautious, threatening to resume the war if Hamas does not comply with the terms of the American proposed peace plan. Story by France 2 and Liza Kaminov.

Paris Saint-Germain retained top spot in Ligue 1 after coming back from 3-1 down to clinch a point against Strasbourg in Friday evening’s Matchday 8 opener. Marseille could leapfrog both teams into first place with a win over Le Havre on Saturday.

A New York jury on Friday found BNP Paribas liable for more than $20 million in damages to three Sudanese refugees, now US citizens, who argued that the French bank helped prop former strongman Omar al-Bashir’s regime during its brutal campaigns, conducted by Sudanese soldiers and the Janjaweed militia, against unarmed civilians. 

This special report zooms in on the smaller fashion houses that sparkled during Paris Fashion Week. Vincent Pressiat, like Victor Weinsanto, looked to the past, when the king’s favourites ruled the roost. Alain Paul recalled his first auditions as a young dancer. Ukrainian Lilia Litkovska is still designing, despite the war. Last but not least, Afro-Caribbean designers were celebrated at the Paris edition of Togo’s International Fashion Festival.

Israel returned the bodies of 15 Palestinians to Gaza on Saturday, bringing the total number handed over to 135, the Gaza health ministry said. Meanwhile, Israel said it had identified the remains of another hostage that Hamas handed over as Eliyahu Margalit, the tenth returned hostage body since the Gaza ceasefire went into effect over a week ago.

Angela Diffley is joined by fellow journalist Antonia Kerrigan and Damien Lecomte, Political Scientist and Lecturer at the University of Paris I: Panthéon-Sorbonne, to offer in-depth analysis and perspective to the highwire act of Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu’s minority government. Mr. Lecomte underscores a significant shift in strategy: unlike his predecessors, Lecornu has broken from Macron-era rigidity by courting Socialist party support through meaningful concessions on pension reform and wealth taxation. Yet this turn toward compromise comes at a cost: He must still solicit support from the fractured and embittered Republicans. Meanwhile, the National Rally is openly calling for Lecornu’s…

After two years held in captivity by Hamas in Gaza, Israel’s last living hostages were freed on Monday and reunited with their families. Frail but finally home, they are now beginning the difficult process of healing their deep physical and mental wounds, as medical teams develop new ways to help them rebuild their lives. 

Five more countries have qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. England is the first European country to do so and will be playing alongside the Ivory Coast, Senegal, Saudi Arabia and Qatar in the high-profile football competition next year. It is to be played across three countries: US, Canada and Mexico.

This week, we take a look at the renewable energy sector, specifically in China at a time when solar and wind power have surpassed coal in global electricity generation, according to a report by climate think tank Ember. Charles Pellegrin speaks to Malgorzata Wiatros-Motyka, the report’s author and senior electricity analyst.