Author: France 24

The annual Paris Book Festival is honouring Iceland this year, and Icelandic author Jón Kalman Stefánsson will be doing a book signing. He tells us about his latest novel, “Celestial Bodies at the Edge of the World”, which sheds light on a little-known dark chapter in Icelandic history. He also tells us why Icelandic literature is booming in France.

William Hilderbrandt is pleased to welcome Basil Germond, Professor of International Security in the School of Global Affairs and Co-Director of the University research institute Security Lancaster. He examines the emerging European-led initiative to secure the Strait of Hormuz in a post-war context, placing it within broader questions of maritime security, geopolitical negotiation, and transatlantic relations. From his perspective, this initiative reflects a strategic shift: European actors are attempting to shape the conditions of peace and stability themselves, beyond a US-led framework.

A two-goal deficit was overcome by Strasbourg, who, spurred on by their home crowd at the Meinau, thrashed Mainz to reach the semi-finals of the Europa Conference League. This is the first time the Alsatians have reached this stage of European competition. “We told ourselves that anything was possible,” said Abdoul Ouattara, the Ivorian RC Strasbourg midfielder who scored the equaliser.

France announced Tuesday that it will expand access to sustainable menstrual products by reimbursing reusable cups and underwear for eligible young women and low-income groups. The move, aimed at tackling period poverty, is expected to benefit millions once implemented through the country’s social security system from the upcoming academic year.

European airlines could run out of jet fuel in six weeks’ time. That’s the warning from the head of the International Energy Agency, Fatih Birol, who says passengers should expect fewer flights and higher prices. Carriers are already reducing their flight schedules ahead of the summer holiday season. Also in the show – European officials urge governments not to forget the Ukraine war, saying that Russia’s economy cannot be allowed to benefit from the energy shock. 

Exiles, migrants, refugees: there are as many ways to label “strangers” as there are to misunderstand them and reduce their identity to their outsider status. Ece Temelkuran explores this existential and very physical reality in her new book “Nation of Strangers”, as the Turkish author and journalist reflects upon what it means to lose one’s home morally, spiritually and politically.

Angela Diffley is pleased to welcome Bilal Y. Saab, Senior Managing Director of TRENDS US.Former Pentagon Official in the first Trump administration. According to Saab, Lebanon is at a crossroads: the government is committed to reform, is fundamentally “pro-Lebanese” and rejects interference from external actors. The central challenge remains Hezbollah, an entrenched, hybrid actor operating across political, military, and economic domains. Rather than advocating for abrupt or violent confrontation, he emphasises a peaceful gradualist strategy, paired with nation-building efforts and sustained international support.

Late goals from Luis Diaz and Michael Olise earned Bayern Munich a dramatic 4-3 win over Real Madrid on Wednesday, sealing a 6-4 aggregate victory and a Champions League semi-final against holders Paris Saint-Germain. Real Madrid had led three times in a high-tempo first half.

The climate-denialist Trump administration is pushing the World Bank and International Monetary Fund to stop focusing on clean energy development projects. We take a closer look. But first: Russia vows to make up for any shortfall in Chinese oil supplies due to the US-Israeli war on Iran, and crude prices fall on hopes of renewed peace talks.   

Film critic Manon Kerjean tells us why “Just an Illusion” is more than just a tender study of young teenagers’ first love, and how its retro décor and timely themes add weight to a family dynamic with Camille Cottin and Louis Garrel taking on parental roles.