Author: France 24

Concern that the Iran war could plunge the world into stagflation is rising as hostilities in the Middle East continue with no end in sight. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)’s chief economist Beata Javorcik tells France 24’s Yuka Royer that while the world is not yet seeing high stagflation risks, everything depends on how long the conflict will last as high energy prices will lead to higher inflation which will in turn hurt growth. 

Musicians from the world of jazz have been speaking out about the sexism and sexual violence that has long cast a shadow over their corner of the music industry. FRANCE 24’s reporters went to meet the women who are now working to change that culture and are demanding justice and accountability.

US President Donald Trump in a cabinet meeting said that Iran was “begging to make a deal”, not Washington. Trump also added that he was “disappointed in NATO because they have done nothing”. As the US-Israeli war on Iran creeps towards the one-month mark, both sides continue to harden their positions while a diplomatic push for a ceasefire stalls. Follow our liveblog for the latest updates. 

In their final warm-up match before the start of the FIFA World Cup (June 11- July 19) in the United States, Mexico and Canada, France face Brazil in a friendly. Weakened by absences, the Brazilians will have their work cut out against the French, the World Cup runners-up, who comfortably topped their qualifying group. This international break could also be Kylian Mbappé’s chance to become the French national team’s all-time leading goalscorer.

The French population is overexposed to cadmium through food sources, according to a comprehensive report published Wednesday by the national environmental health agency. Cadmium is a toxic metal that is ubiquitous in the environment and can contaminate soil, water and air.

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The only person who managed to coax Daniel Day-Lewis out of his eight-year retirement was a certain Ronan Day-Lewis, whose début feature “Anemone” stars his father. Film critic Emma Jones tells us why a mesmerising Day-Lewis senior steals the show with the intensity of his performance.

Nadia Massih is pleased to welcome Natasha Lindstaedt, Author, Professor of Government at the University of Essex. The unfolding conflict reveals a profound shift in Gulf strategic thinking, Professor Lindstaedt argues, driven less by ideological ambition than by accumulated insecurity. What began as a strong preference for de-escalation has gradually given way to a more hard-edged assessment of regional realities. The persistence of attacks, particularly on critical infrastructure, has reinforced the perception that coexistence with a hardline Iranian regime may no longer be viable. 

The French national team have arrived in Boston for their US tour. France will face Brazil on 26 March and Colombia on 29 March.

The EU and Australia have signed a sweeping free trade agreement that will eliminate tariffs on nearly all trade between them as global economies seek to hedge against chaotic US tariff policies. Also in this edition: crude oil prices rise again as traders remain sceptical of signals that Washington is trying to de-escalate its war with Iran.