Author: France 24

A fragile ceasefire has brought calm to Syria’s Sweida province after a week of deadly sectarian fighting that left over 1,000 dead and displaced more than 128,000. Druze fighters, Bedouin groups and government forces were drawn into the conflict, with Israeli strikes and Islamist factions escalating the violence.

In this episode of arts24 with Eve Jackson, we explore the 56th Rencontres d’Arles festival in France, where women and Indigenous artists like Caroline Monnet take centre stage, challenging colonial narratives and celebrating resilience through photography and art. Plus, get previews of London’s new burlesque musical “Diamonds and Dust” starring Dita Von Teese, Oasis’s triumphant return to Manchester and the global Netflix sensation “KPop Demon Hunters”.

France were left lamenting another European exit at the hands of Germany on Saturday in a stunning 6-5 penalty shootout loss in the Euro 2025 quarter-finals, despite an early red card handing them numerical advantage for most of the game. The crushing defeat leaves Les Bleues still searching for their first major tournament title.

This week, we focus on the unprecedented immigration crackdown currently taking place in the United States under President Donald Trump. We head to Los Angeles, where our team meets local business owners whose shops are on the brink of bankruptcy, as workers and customers are staying home to avoid ICE raids. Plus, Charles Pellegrin talks to Tara Watson, director of the Center for Economic Security and Opportunity at the Brookings Institution.

The Syrian presidency on Saturday announced an immediate ceasefire after days of sectarian violence in the predominantly Druze province of Sweida that left more than 900 people dead, according to a war monitor. The US envoy to Syria earlier said that Israel and Syria had agreed to a ceasefire following Israel’s intervention this week in support of Druze armed groups that clashed with Bedouin clans and government forces. France24 International Affairs Editor Kethevane Gorjestani explains.

Whether it involves making space for the trans community, raising awareness about conflicts in Ukraine and Palestine, expressing their distrust of conventional conservative attitudes or funding scientific research that has nothing to do with the fashion industry, Jeanne Friot, Rick Owens, Issey Miyake, Walter van Beirendonck and Agnès b. are all deeply committed to their causes. FRANCE 24 takes a closer look.

Tadej Pogacar claimed a commanding victory in Stage 13 of the Tour de France on Friday, winning the 10.9km time trial and extending his overall lead to four minutes and seven seconds. The defending champion’s second straight stage win leaves Jonas Vingegaard and Remco Evenepoel trailing in the overall standings.

The European Union on Friday reached an agreement on an 18th sanctions package against Russia over its war in Ukraine, with a raft of measures aimed at dealing further blows to Russia’s oil and energy industry. France’s top diplomat described the measures as “unprecedented”.

South of the Syrian capital Damascus, Yarmouk refugee camp was the scene of violent clashes between Bashar al-Assad’s regime and rebel militias, and later the Islamic State group, during the almost 14-year-long Syrian war. Ahmed and Jihane Tameem were among those who fled the bombs at the end of 2012. Three years later, they left Syria and found refuge in Sweden with their two children. Now, after the fall of Assad, they have returned home to reunite with their loved ones. FRANCE 24’s Claire Billet and Olivier Jobard report.

Our TV critic Dheepthika Laurent joins Eve Jackson to unpack the highlights of July and August’s biggest series and films – from “Jaws at 50” featuring exclusive interviews, to the light-hearted drama of “Acapulco”, the Emmy buzz surrounding this year’s nominations and the exciting new “Black Panther” spinoff “Eyes of Wakanda” on Disney+. Don’t miss our full rundown and exclusive insights into what to watch this summer!