Author: France 24

It’s been a year since US President Donald Trump unveiled sweeping new tariffs, which would change the global trade landscape. But after a year of upheaval and uncertainty, what remains of the ‘Liberation Day’ duties? Also in the show – soaring oil prices lead to a jump in car-pooling services in France. 

Nabil Nahas has been painting for seven decades. From his childhood in Lebanon to his career in New York, he is now presenting his latest monumental work in Venice as his country’s representative at the 2026 Contemporary Art Biennale. The artist speaks to us about his connection to the ancient civilisations of his homeland, and why he believes politicising international platforms is the wrong approach.

Heavily armed and dressed in camouflage, members of Iran’s Basij paramilitary force have been circulating photos of themselves patrolling the streets of Tehran with portraits of the new supreme leader since early March. The aim: to dissuade Iranians from restarting protests against the regime.

Eve Irvine is pleased to welcome Dr. Jagannath Biswakarma, Honorary Senior Research Associate at the University of Bristol. As an environmental scientist, his work focuses on understanding how human activity reshapes the natural systems we depend on, often in ways that remain invisible until their consequences surface in our bodies. He examines the growing global exposure to toxic heavy metals such as cadmium, arsenic, lead, and mercury, substances that, while naturally present in the Earth, are increasingly concentrated through industrial and agricultural processes. 

Italy lost on penalties to Bosnia and Herzegovina and will miss out on their third consecutive World Cup.

The average price of regular gasoline in the United States has topped $4 a gallon for the first time since 2022, as the war in Iran continues to disrupt global energy supplies. Meanwhile, inflation in the eurozone rose to 2.5% in March, surpassing the European Central Bank’s target amid rising energy costs. And in Egypt, shops and restaurants are being forced to close early under government-imposed energy-saving measures introduced in response to surging fuel prices.

The weight of tradition bears heavily on Marianne, the protagonist of the new film “Mrs”, played by Mélanie Thierry as a seemingly perfect wife and mother. Film critic Manon Kerjean explains how director David Roux’s minimalist approach draws on the legacy of bourgeois drama master Claude Chabrol – and why Thierry’s performance carries the film.

Speaking to FRANCE 24, Palestinian Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian condemned Israel’s new death penalty bill as “an extension of the genocidal measures of the State of Israel”. She accused settlers and the Israeli army of being “one and the same”, and insisted that the two-state solution remains the “only solution”.

Genie Godula is pleased to welcome Dr. Julie Escurignan, Associate Professor of Management & Communication at the Université Catholique de l’Ouest. Dr. Escurignan explores the cultural, economic, and deeply personal dynamics surrounding Celine Dion’s highly anticipated return to the global stage. This comeback is not merely a concert series, she explains, rather a carefully orchestrated cultural event espousing the intimate narrative of resilience: The Paris residency represents an innovative campaign set in an iconic urban setting and the enduring power of a unique artistic legacy.

The Eurovision Song Contest Asia 2026 has confirmed artists from at least 10 countries across Asia competing: Thailand, South Korea, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan. More are expected to join before the finale in November. FRANCE 24’s Monte Francis reports.