Author: France 24

Humanoid robots danced hip-hop, performed martial arts and played keyboard, guitar and drums at the opening ceremony of the first World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing on Thursday evening. The competition begins Friday with more than 500 humanoid robots in 280 teams from 16 countries, including the U.S., Germany and Japan, competing in sports including soccer, running and boxing. The event comes as China has stepped up efforts to develop humanoid robots powered by artificial intelligence. France24 correspondent in Beijing, Yena Lee, reports.

Palestinian officials have condemned far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s taunting visit to the jail cell of long-imprisoned Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti. Footage of the visit shared on social media on Thursday showed the minister making threatening remarks to the 66-year-old. France24 Noga Tarnopolsky reports the latest.

Fresh from a historic Champions League and Super Cup double, Paris Saint-Germain will kickstart their Ligue 1 season after a gruelling summer this weekend, eyeing another European crown. Paul Pogba returns to the pitch with Monaco, Lyon is set to fight to recover from their crisis and Paris FC have joined the top flight – reviving a long-dormant capital derby.

Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir released a video on Friday showing him taunting Israel’s most prominent Palestinian detainee, Marwan Barghouti, a senior Fatah figure, in his jail cell. The Palestinian Authority’s foreign ministry denounced the confrontation as “an unprecedented provocation”. Charlotte Lam tells us more.

Paris Saint-Germain returned to last season’s historic form on Wednesday to claim the UEFA Super Cup title after capitalising on a stunning late comeback to overcome Tottenham Hotspur on penalties.

Israel’s far-right finance minister on Thursday announced plans to revive a contentious settlement plan in the occupied West Bank, which Palestinians and rights groups fear will scuttle plans for a future Palestinian state. The so-called E1 scheme linking Jerusalem and the Maale Adumim settlement has been frozen for decades amid international opposition, including from the US.

Paris Saint-Germain won European Super Cup by beating Tottenham (2-2, 4-3 on penalties). This is PSG’s fifth trophy this year.

Israeli armed forces chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir has “approved the main framework” for a new offensive in the Gaza Strip, a statement released by the army said. Prime Benjamin Minister Netanyahu has not provided a timetable for when Israeli troops will enter Gaza City, where thousands of Gazans have taken refuge after fleeing Israel’s previous offensives. Yuka Royer tells us more.

Champions League-winning goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma has confirmed he is leaving Paris Saint-Germain after he was dropped from the squad for Wednesday’s UEFA Super Cup final against Tottenham. PSG’s coach Luis Enrique has defended his decision to freeze out the Italian, insisting he needs a goalkeeper with a “different” profile.

Israeli strikes on Gaza City killed at least 11 people overnight, medics said Monday, as Hamas leader Khalil Al-Hayya heads to Cairo for talks to revive a stalled US-backed ceasefire plan. The latest push comes amid mounting civilian death tolls and deep divisions over terms for ending the war.