Author: France 24

The US Federal Reserve has kept its benchmark interest rate at the current range of 4.25% – 4.50%, as it expects slower growth, higher inflation and slightly higher unemployment by the end of the year than it previously forecast. The move was widely expected, including by Donald Trump, who nonetheless insulted Fed Chairman Jerome Powell again. Plus, Nippon Steel has completed its takeover of US Steel after agreeing to let the US government have significant control in business decisions. 

In this Entre Nous segment we’re focusing on art – but more specifically, how to get children excited about it. We speak to Charlotte Wilkins, an art historian and author who tells us about the benefits of introducing art to children early on.

The UN has recently warned about the dangers of online misogyny, specifically in relation to the so-called ‘manosphere’ – a network of communities that claim to address men’s struggles, but often promote harmful advice and attitudes, as well as false narratives about gender equality. FRANCE 24’s Sharon Gaffney speaks to sex counsellor and therapist Claire Ferrero. She says that online mysogynist influencers prey on the insecurities of young men for profit.

Chelsea kicked off the Club World Cup with a 2-0 win over Los Angeles FC in front of 50,000 empty seats. In Group C, Benfica rescued a point against Boca Juniors after being down 2-0 with an 84th-minute equaliser.

For those suffering from mental health problems, the internet can be a door to getting help and finding a community, but it can also open a user to extremely damaging content that encourages self-harm. Adele Zeynep Walton is campaigning for a safer digital world after her sister Aimee took her own life in 2022, having spent time on a pro-suicide forum. Walton’s book “Logging Off: The Human Cost of Our Digital World” draws attention to a growing, insidious phenomenon.

If the US chooses to offer more direct support to Israel in its offensive against Iran, one possibility for Washington would be to supply the “bunker-buster” bombs thought necessary to severely damage the country’s Fordo nuclear fuel enrichment facility, which is deeply embedded within a mountain. 

As one of a handful of Western photographers working in Afghanistan, Oriane Zerah has a unique perspective on daily life in the country. Her work is on show at the Fragonard museum in Grasse, in the south of France, in an exhibition entitled “Unveiled Women, Men with Flowers: A new face of Afghanistan”, with images that upend stereotypes about masculinity and femininity under the Taliban. She tells us about the place of beauty in Afghan culture, about her own experience during the Taliban takeover of 2021 and why art is even being prescribed to young women in Afghanistan who are…

At least 34 Palestinians were killed Monday in new shootings on the roads leading to Israeli- and U.S.-supported food distribution centers in the Gaza Strip, the local Health Ministry said. Story by Antonia Kerrigan.

Paris Saint-Germain opened the Club World Cup on Sunday with a 4-0 victory over Atletico Madrid under the sizzling sun in Pasadena, California. Bayern Munich followed by showing no mercy to Auckland with a whopping 10-0 win. 

Luca de Meo is leaving Renault and the automobile industry after five years at the helm of the company.  He will take on the role of CEO at luxury group Kering that’s struggling to revive its flagship brand Gucci. Kering’s shares rose 12% while Renault’s sank more than 8% on the news.  But first, global oil prices have come down after soaring on Friday as investors continue to monitor the Israel – Iran war closely.