Author: France 24

As the legendary Nigerian artist Fela Kuti once declared, “Music is our weapon,” we again stand at the crossroads of artistry and politics, as war rages in the Middle East. For centuries, even millennia, resistance to oppression and injustice has found its voice in poetry, literature, and the arts. Our guest, veteran music industry executive Robert Singerman, has long championed the right of artists to express themselves fully, including politically. Yet, as he notes, such messages may resonate deeply in some communities while being rejected in others, particularly in this era of rising polarisation. Mr. Singerman warns that “the addiction to our phones…

French Prime Minister François Bayrou has warned that the nation was facing an “immediate danger” of over-indebtedness as he tried to rally support for his unpopular budget for 2026.  Labour unions have threatened to bring France to a standstill with a general strike called for September 9th. Plus, US President Donald Trump boasts his government has paid “zero” for a 10% stake in embattled chipmaker Intel. 

At least 20 people were killed, including five journalists, in Israeli air strikes Monday on Gaza’s Nasser Hospital, Palestinian health officials said. More than 240 Palestinian journalists have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza since the war began on October 7, 2023, according to the Palestinian Journalist Syndicate.

A double from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang helped Marseille get back on track with a 5-2 home win over promoted side Paris FC on Saturday. Head coach Roberto De Zerbi indicated after the match that Adrien Rabiot could return to the squad, a week on from the dressing-room altercation that led to the midfielder’s suspension.

Israeli forces killed four aid seekers traveling on Sunday through a military zone south of Gaza City — an area regularly used by Palestinians trying to reach a food distribution point, a hospital and witnesses said. Vedika Bahl tells us more.

France kicked off its Women’s Rugby World Cup campaign with a slow and steady win over Italy, with the game remaining scoreless for almost half an hour. Les Bleues’ relentless pressure on Italy’s defence in the second half saw earned them a 24-0 win.

Gaza City is now officially facing famine, a crisis that the UN-backed global hunger monitor warns could spread across the entire Palestinian enclave – the first such declaration in Middle Eastern history. Speaking to France24, Gaza City journalist Shrouq Al-Aila says, “One of the reasons for this famine is that the Israeli army is preventing humanitarian aid from reaching Gaza on a daily basis.”

England ran in 11 tries as they brushed aside the United States 69-7 in front of a record-breaking crowd on Friday to win the opening game of the Women’s Rugby World Cup and emphasise their status as pre-tournament favourites.

The UN declared this morning that famine in Gaza is now official. FRANCE 24’s correspondent in Jerusalem analyses Israel’s outright rejection of the report, noting that the government provides no alternative statistics and simply insists Hamas figures are false. Admitting famine would leave Israel exposed to accusations of war crimes.

‘HEGEMONY OF PSG’: As Qatar’s shining football jewel continues its dominance of both French and European football, France’s League 1 ‘is struggling with an identity problem”, explains Ed Dove, ESPN/North Star Network Journalist. And while PSGs wildly successful season and “star factor will make them a more appealing draw to international audiences, that might not translate into other teams in the division.” While there are some highly competitive teams in the League 1, “when you see the giants of the French game encountering financial struggles,” including Saint-Etienne and Olympique Lyonnais, “it makes the league less appealing to international audiences”.