Author: France 24

In a boiling Parc des Princes and with a one-goal lead, PSG managed to qualify for the 2nd Champions League final in their history. The culmination of a new project for Luis Enrique. Paris will now take on Milan to clinch their first Champions League title. 

As widely expected, the US Federal Reserve has kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged despite pressure from President Donald Trump.  Fed chair Jerome Powell warned the risks of higher inflation and higher unemployment had risen. Plus, Disney announced a plan to build its first theme park in the Middle East, on Abu Dhabi’s Yas island. But first, we take a look at how a 14-year civil war devastated Syria’s economy, as interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa visited Paris. 

The European Union renewed an urgent call on Wednesday for Israel to immediately lift the blockade on Gaza, allowing humanitarian aid to reach those in need, and warned against Israel’s planned new aid delivery mechanism. For in-depth analysis and a deeper perspective on the harrowing plight of humanitarian aid workers and displaced civilians in war-torn Gaza, FRANCE 24’s Delano D’Souza welcomes Olga Cherevko, Spokesperson for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

Film critic Ben Croll speaks to Eve Jackson about the latest film releases, including Cillian Murphy in his first starring role since winning the Oscar for “Oppenheimer”. They also discuss Canada’s master of the macabre, David Cronenberg’s deeply personal work “The Shrouds”, and the dark comedy “Rumours”, which imagines a G7 summit run amok starring Cate Blanchett. The show concludes with Claude Lelouch’s “Un homme et une femme”. The 1966 film’s return to theatres right before the Cannes Film Festival gives it a very particular honour, making it the official poster for the event which starts next week.

Inter Milan edged Barcelona 4-3 after extra time in a pulsating Champions League semifinal on Tuesday, advancing 7-6 on aggregate to reach their second final in three years. Substitute Davide Frattesi struck the 99th-minute winner, sealing a dramatic tie featuring two Barcelona fightbacks and 13 mesmerising goals.

Trump has said the US should recognise only two sexes and has moved to restrict gender-affirming care for minors and bar transgender people from the military. Yet Europe offers no safe haven either, as right-wing populism rises across the old continent. There is a lack of uniform EU standards for transgender individuals and almost half of EU member states don’t follow World Health Organisation guidelines for recognition of trans identities. For deeper insight, FRANCE 24’s Eve Irvine welcomes Flora Bolter, Co-Director of the LGBTI+ Observatory at the Jean Jaurès Foundation and long-time advocate for equality through political and grassroots activism.

Britain and India have finalised a free trade agreement after more than three years of negotiations.  The landmark deal will lower tariffs on each others’ goods, and aims to increase bilateral trade by a further 30 billion euros by 2040. Plus, the European Commission has published a ‘roadmap’ for its plans to cut its energy ties with Russia, including a ban on Russian gas by the end of 2027.

Some global airlines have again halted their flights to and from Tel Aviv after a missile fired by Yemen’s Houthi rebels towards Israel on Sunday landed near the country’s main international airport. Story by Eliza Herbert.

In this edition of arts24, we’re focusing on the video game of the year and it’s proudly, unmistakably French. “Clair Obscur: Expedition 33”, created by a small studio in Montpellier, is taking the world by storm. With its Belle Époque-inspired world, haunting story and hybrid gameplay, it sold more than a million copies in just three days and even earned praise from President Emmanuel Macron. One of the minds behind the phenomenon, the co-director and co-founder of Sandfall Interactive, François Meurisse joins Eve Jackson to talk about the game’s success. Also on the show: the best looks from Monday night’s…

Inter Milan host Barcelona on Tuesday in the second leg of the Champions League semi-finals after a thrilling 3-3 draw in Catalonia last week.