Author: France 24

On International Workers’ Day, as demonstrators fill the streets of Paris under the banner of “bread, peace, and freedom,” William Hilderbrandt is pleased to welcome Rémi Bourgeot, Economist and Researcher at IRIS, and Author of Epistelem.org. What begins as a discussion about the sanctity of May 1st in France quickly descends into something more fundamental: an interrogation of the French and European economic model itself. Bourgeois challenges the idea that isolated reforms, such as labor market liberalization, can address what he describes as a systemic unraveling shaped by deindustrialization, bureaucratic inertia, and technological decline: “there’s really an overall problem with…

French residents are three to four times more likely to register unsafe levels of cadmium in their bodies than their European counterparts, ingesting dangerous amounts of the carcinogenic metal through the food they eat. Experts blame government inaction, farming practices and a historic reliance on North African phosphate-based fertilisers that is rooted in the colonial era. 

Strasbourg lost 1-0 away to Rayo Vallecano in the first leg of their Conference League semi-final. Below their usual standard, the French side limited the damage to a single-goal deficit, keeping their hopes alive ahead of the return leg at the Stade de la Meinau next Thursday.

A spate of high-profile stadium tours by stars like Céline Dion, Taylor Swift and Oasis have put a spotlight on the practice of dynamic ticket pricing, with many fans saying they’re unable to secure or afford tickets. We take a closer look in this edition of People & Profit.

The international jury of the Venice Biennale resigned Thursday, just days before the world’s oldest and most important contemporary art fair opens. No reason was given, but the move came as Italy’s government opposed Russia’s participation. FRANCE 24’s Seema Gupta reports from Rome.

A Beirut-based filmmaker whose debut feature film has been described as an ode to the collective courage of the Lebanese people has spoken to FRANCE 24 about the film and her love for the city. Lana Daher has spent years working in Beirut and the last six years delving through thousands of hours of footage from Lebanon. That work comes together in her film “Do You Love Me”. She spoke to us in Perspective.

François Picard is pleased to welcome Merijn Tinga, a biologist, artist and activist affectionately known as the Plastic Soup Surfer. He joins us, not only as a scientist or activist, but as someone who spends hours a day on the water, experiencing directly the forces we so often abstract away. From the surfboard, everything becomes clear: “You become one with the wind, with the waves… you have one focus.” And yet back on land, “you’re immersed by this throwaway culture”.

After a tight match, the Gunners and the Colchoneros parted on good terms with the score at 1–1, and will battle it out for a place in the final in London next Tuesday. Both goals in the match were scored from the penalty spot.

The energy shock and economic headwinds caused by the Iran war have increased uncertainty in Latin America – but the region remains resilient. That’s according to Ilan Goldfajn, President of the Inter-American Development Bank. He tells France 24 there are requests for “targeted support” like energy diversification and fertilizer needs. Also in the show – Jerome Powell gives his last press conference as Federal Reserve Chair, as his successor Kevin Warsh takes a step closer to confirmation. 

We discuss the harrowing incident at the centre of Marta Bergman’s poignant new film, as critic Manon Kerjean tells us why “The Silent Run” is a powerful, haunting take on the terrifying scenarios that many refugees face. We also review Alain Gomis’s atmospheric journey through family rites and rituals in Guinea-Bissau in “Dao”. Plus Laure Calamy and Vincent Macaigne negotiate belly laughs and bittersweet moments in “What is Love?” as a separated couple re-visiting their past on a trip to Rome.