Spotlight

FRANCE 24 English
  • 0,0 (0)
  • Новости
  • Дважды в неделю

FRANCE 24's prime time interview of the day goes beyond the headlines: join us as news-making guests from around the globe go in depth on the stories that matter. Every day at 6:15pm Paris time.

  1. -9 ч

    Armenia’s defiant drag scene braves pushback

    Armenia sits at the crossroads of Europe, Asia and the Middle East. While in much of the European Union, the drag scene is mainstream, in Armenia it remains underground. Performers face threats of violence, stigma, police pressure and even rejection by their own families. Despite this, drag queens have built a vibrant, bustling community that has attracted both local Armenians and international crowds. They make up a passionate and determined microculture challenging ultraconservative norms. And this avant garde scene is, in turn, being influenced by Armenia’s evolving political landscape. As Yerevan strengthens ties with the EU and distances itself from Moscow, this conservative Christian country has become a refuge for tens of thousands of Russians fleeing the war in Ukraine - reshaping Armenian society in unexpected ways. Renée Bertini and Kal Berjikian from ENTR, alongside François Picard, take us inside this hidden microculture in an upcoming documentary, produced with support from the Pulitzer Center.

    11 мин.

  2. -9 ч

    Curtis Young on America's "diffcult moment in the mirror"

    This weekend, the United States marks 250 years since the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, one of the most influential political texts in modern history. Its assertion that governments derive their power from the consent of the governed, and that all people are endowed with the rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, has inspired democratic movements around the world. As every year, the Fourth of July is celebrated with parades, fireworks, family barbecues and community gatherings across the country. Hot dogs, corn on the cob and watermelon remain staples of the holiday, while military flyovers and patriotic ceremonies form part of the official commemorations. In Washington, festivities are taking place despite an intense heatwave affecting much of the eastern United States. This anniversary carries particular significance, coming at a time of deep political divisions and heightened debate over the country's identity and future. Fireworks lit up the skies over Mount Rushmore, illuminating the faces of Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt, as celebrations got underway. President Donald Trump officially launched the anniversary events, using his address to warn of what he described as ideological threats facing the United States, while reaffirming his vision of American exceptionalism. Elsewhere, another American whose voice carries global influence, Pope Leo, marked the anniversary from the Italian island of Lampedusa. In a message focused on migration, compassion and solidarity, he also reflected on the values the United States was founded upon 250 years ago. In New York, Mayor Zoran Mamdani, himself the son of immigrants, delivered his own address, offering a different perspective on the American story and the country's future. To discuss the legacy of the Declaration of Independence, the significance of this 250th anniversary, and what it says about America today, I'm joined in the studio by Curtis Young, American-born historian and Professor of Literature at ESSEC Business School.

    21 мин.

  3. -2 дн.

    'No Israeli security without Palestinian freedom; no Palestinian freedom without Israeli security'

    In this edition, FRANCE 24's François Picard talks with Dr. Gershon Baskin, Middle East Director of the International Communities Organisation and former hostage negotiator. One thousand days after the outbreak of the Gaza war, Gershon Baskin shares a stark assessment of Israel's political and strategic trajectory. Rather than framing the anniversary solely as a military milestone, he argues that it represents a profound failure of political leadership, strategic planning and institutional accountability. Baskin's analysis moves beyond battlefield developments to examine the deeper dynamics shaping the conflict: the absence of a national inquiry into October 7, the growing disconnect between military operations and political objectives, the psychological distance separating Israelis and Palestinians and the failure of Israeli politics to seriously confront the Palestinian question. He also advances an explicitly strategic – rather than purely moral – argument for peace:  Israel's long-term security and Palestinian freedom are mutually dependent. An emerging regional economic agenda, backed by Gulf states and potentially driven by an influential American administration, could create a rare opening for a negotiated two-state settlement, he adds. Whether one agrees with his conclusions or not, he offers a comprehensive critique of prevailing assumptions and a vision that reframes peace as a geopolitical necessity.

    11 мин.

  4. -3 дн.

    France's political landscape: 'Dynamics right now seem to favour extreme right or extreme left'

    François Picard is pleased to welcome Thibault Muzergues, political director for Shared Ground and author of "The Woke Right". France enters the final 300 days before its presidential election amid a politically combustible convergence of judicial investigations, institutional distrust and an increasingly fragmented party system. Muzergues argues that while allegations surrounding the far-right National Rally party raise legitimate legal questions, they also expose broader tensions between law, democracy and political legitimacy. Read moreFrance's National Rally targeted as part of Europe-wide raids over alleged far-right embezzlement Our guest rejects simplistic narratives of either persecution or impunity. Instead, he contends that the deeper story in France lies in the interaction between increasingly complex institutions, a transformed electoral landscape organised around three competing blocs (liberal, nationalist, new left) and a public mood that favours political outsiders over traditional liberal parties. Far from seeing judicial affairs as likely to reshape electoral outcomes, Muzergues suggests that campaign dynamics, leadership and voter enthusiasm will ultimately prove more decisive than courtroom verdicts.

    8 мин.

  5. -4 дн.

    South Africa anti-migrant wave: UN's Türk urges people 'not to dehumanise'

    François Picard is pleased to welcome Volker Türk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. In this wide-ranging interview, Türk presents a coherent vision of human rights as the essential framework through which to understand some of the defining global challenges of the 21st century. Rather than treating migration, climate change, nationality, international law and institutional governance as separate policy questions, Türk argues that they are deeply interconnected manifestations of a broader crisis of solidarity, legality and political responsibility. The UN human rights chief consistently shifts the discussion away from short-term political pressures and towards universal principles grounded in international law, empirical evidence and shared humanity. Whether discussing anti-immigrant sentiment, the treatment of asylum seekers, climate responsibility or the weakening of multilateral institutions, Türk returns to a recurring proposition: societies become more stable, not less, when they resist dehumanisation and uphold universal rights. At the same time, he warns that political polarisation, environmental degradation and the erosion of international institutions risk undermining the very legal and moral architecture designed to protect future generations.

    11 мин.

  6. -5 дн.

    Pragmatic diplomacy: 'Oman is committed to de-escalation & peace in the region', analyst says

    As French President Emmanuel Macron meets with Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman amid efforts to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East, François Picard speaks to Dawud Al Ansari, a geopolitics and energy analyst. Meanwhile, diplomacy in the Gulf is once again being tested by renewed military tensions. Al Ansari offers a nuanced assessment from an Omani perspective, arguing that the country is playing an increasingly valuable strategic role.  Rather than portraying the Sultanate as simply another Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) monarchy, Al Ansari contends that this small but influential nation has deliberately cultivated its influence through neutrality, mediation and pragmatic diplomacy. While regional security remains fragile despite recent agreements, he argues that Oman will continue to prioritise stability, free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and dialogue between regional adversaries. He also places France's recent engagement within a broader geopolitical context. The Elysée’s diplomatic and economic initiatives reflect a wider strategic interest in reducing regional instability that carries significant consequences for global energy markets and European economies. At the same time, Oman faces pressing domestic challenges. In particular, the country must diversify its economy and create opportunities for a predominantly young population, making international partnerships increasingly important. Al Ansari also notes that geopolitical leverage is never static. While Iran has demonstrated its ability to use the Strait of Hormuz as a strategic instrument, the analyst contends that the power of the lever is likely to diminish over time as neighbouring states invest in alternative trade routes and infrastructure. The discussion ultimately presents Gulf geopolitics not as a fixed balance of power, but as an evolving landscape shaped by diplomacy, economics and long-term strategic adaptation.

    10 мин.

  7. -5 дн.

    What happens when lightning strikes the Eiffel Tower?

    The heatwave that's seen much of northern Europe melting in the past week is moving eastwards, with Germany and Hungary reaching or exceeding 40°C in the past 24 hours. Here in France, residents finally saw a break from baking temperatures and the tropical nights with the cooler Atlantic air coming in from the west.  And a momentous moment: a barrage of lightning flashes and storms for more than an hour on Saturday night. Tables were sent flying from the terraces of restaurants, plates and food with it, crashing to the floor with people running inside to take cover and watch. In a viral moment, the Eiffel Tower was struck by lightning. The episode left some wondering why lightning doesn't damage the Eiffel Tower, if it is safe for people to be within the tower, on the observation deck, or even in the restaurants with the ongoing tempest. It turns out the Eiffel Tower is struck several times a year by lightning. Completed in 1889, as the centre piece of the World Fair in Paris, Gustave Eiffel designed the tower not only as a spectacle and to withstand lightning, but to act as a scientific data station. Michael Troubat is the President of France Paratonnerres, the company that handles lightning protection for the Eiffel Tower, and tells us more in this edition. We’re also joined by Marie Segura, the co-founder of My Private Paris, who does curated luxury tours of the capital.

    15 мин.

  8. 27 июн.

    Iran, US trade attacks in Strait of Hormuz: Navigating the 'Guardian Angel' route

    Shots have been fired in the Strait of Hormuz, creating a diplomatic and logistical conundrum about what to do next. Some 11,000 crew members remain stuck on ships in the middle of the two belligerents who are negotiating an end to the conflict and providing opposing directives on how to safely evacuate. For its part, Iran is telling them to leave, but to first cross via its Larak Island at the northern part of the Strait. FRANCE 24's Gavin Lee spoke to Nitya Labh, Academy Fellow, International Security Programme at Chatham House. Produced by Gavin Lee, Alessandro Xenos, Antonia Cimini and Guillaume Gougeon

    11 мин.
См. все (22)

Об этом подкасте

FRANCE 24's prime time interview of the day goes beyond the headlines: join us as news-making guests from around the globe go in depth on the stories that matter. Every day at 6:15pm Paris time.

Информация

  • Автор
    FRANCE 24 English
  • Годы выхода
    2 тыс.
  • Выпуски
    22
  • Ограничения
    Без ненормативной лексики
  • Авторские права
    © France Médias Monde
  • Сайт подкаста
    Spotlight