Author: France 24

The US and Israel’s war with Iran has sent shockwaves across the global economy, and created the largest energy crisis in decades. But China, the world’s second-largest economy, has by many measures appeared insulated from the worst of the fallout. 

In this edition of arts24, Hollywood nostalgia takes centre stage as Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway and Emily Blunt reunite for the long-awaited sequel to “The Devil Wears Prada”, bringing high fashion to the red carpet.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Operation Epic Fury has achieved a decisive result in just weeks, focused on preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons. He noted the mission is entering a new phase, giving Iran the chance to pursue a “good and wise” peace deal, while emphasising the strength of the US naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, soon to be reinforced by a second aircraft carrier. France24 journalist Shirli Sitbon shares further details on the press conference.

With a summer of travel chaos looming for many European holidaymakers, one ferry operator is promising smooth sailing. Christophe Mathieu, CEO of Brittany Ferries, tells France 24 the line has enough supplies of maritime fuels to last the season, and vows not to raise ticket prices despite the global energy crisis. Also in the show – Warner Bros. shareholders vote to approve a takeover by Paramount Skydance, a mega merger which could reshape the US media landscape. 

For 20 years, British photographer Johny Pitts has been travelling around Europe with a camera and a question: what does it actually mean to be Black and European? His answer fills a room at the Maison Européenne de la Photographie in Paris. “Black Bricolage” brings together photographs, notebooks and documents from cities across the continent – Paris, Berlin, Lisbon, Marseille and Brussels – capturing the ordinary lives that rarely make the front page. 

As Lebanon prepares to resume direct discussions with Israel, the ghost of the May 17 Agreement of 1983 – a deal that was signed but never implemented – is haunting the new round of negotiations. President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam are facing a smear campaign from Hezbollah, which has already rejected any compromise and issued thinly veiled threats against the country’s leadership.

Nice secured a 2–0 win away at Strasbourg in the French Cup semi-final and will face Lens in the final. Elye Wahi made the difference with a brace. Initially dominated by a Strasbourg side sitting 8th in Ligue 1, Nice, 15th, remained defensively solid and clinically efficient in attack. They will return to the Stade de France on 22 May, four years after losing their previous final to Nantes (1–0).

The European Union has unveiled plans to shield households and businesses from the energy crisis, triggered by the war with Iran. The bloc says it has spent an additional €24 billion on energy imports beacuse of higher prices since the war began, and it urged more investment in renewable energy. Also in the show – French President Emmanuel Macron inaugurates a lithium mine, to reduce reliance on imports of critical minerals. 

This week’s film show on arts24 spotlights a trio of strikingly different releases, led by Antoine Fuqua’s highly anticipated biopic “Michael”, which features a breakout performance from nephew Jaafar Jackson as the King of Pop, alongside Colman Domingo’s chilling turn as patriarch Joseph Jackson.

The United Nations is pushing its proposal for a humanitarian corridor to get fertiliser and other essential goods through the Strait of Hormuz, which has been effectively blocked since the start of the Iran war. This plan, which FRANCE 24 has seen, has yet to be approved by several countries.