Jowharspoke with former CIA director Leon Panetta, who says Trump risks US national security; anger erupts in France over new allegations of police brutality; Blondies Debbie Harry on a life of rock ‘n’ roll madness; the issue of French hygiene; and fans around the world mourn the great football Maradona, who died of a heart attack on Wednesday at the age of 60.
ARTICLES
Pain and Glory: Diego Maradona’s Extraordinary Life
One of the sport’s most cinematic (anti) heroes, Diego Maradona died of a heart attack on Wednesday, aged 60. His rise and fall was the subject of a documentary by Asif Kapadia, the third and final part of a trilogy about prodigies consumed by fame.
Paris police suspended over brutal assault of black man
French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin on Thursday ordered the suspension of four police officers involved in the brutal beating of a music producer in a studio in Paris over the weekend. Images from the incident showing police repeatedly punching the black man and using truncheons were published by a news website, which triggered widespread condemnation.
France pays tribute to Daniel Cordier, a World War II hero
This week, France paid tribute to one of the last “Companions of the Liberation”, the most prominent order of resistance heroes decorated by General Charles de Gaulle. Daniel Cordier, who served as secretary to the iconic French resistance leader Jean Moulin during World War II, died last week at the age of 100.
By appointing John Kerry to the top role, Biden shows that he is serious about the climate
By appointing former Senator and Secretary of State John Kerry as the first ever US climate leader, President-elect Joe Biden is sending a clear message. Not only is he reversing President Donald Trump’s rebuilding of America’s commitment to combating climate change – he plans to pursue those commitments further.
French companies want to drive sales amid pandemics
Two rounds of Covid-19 lockdowns have taken the road for French merchants, who are looking for innovative ways to increase sales in the fourth quarter. Some of these changes are likely to last long after the pandemic is over.
In pictures: The reconstruction of Notre-Dame Cathedral reaches the milestone when the molten scaffolding is cleared
The reconstruction of the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris reached a turning point this week with the removal of the last parts of scaffolding that melted into a twisted path during last year’s fire. Crucial restructuring and protection work can now continue.
VIDEO CLIP
‘Cubans loved him’: Maradona, a friend of Castro’s, mourned in Cuba
From Argentina to Naples, Diego Maradona’s death has been mourned by football fans around the world – including in Cuba, where he is remembered as a great friend of former leader Fidel Castro, a man Maradona once said was like a “second father”.
Cubans loved him © Screengrab
Nagorno-Karabakh: After three decades, former residents return to find homes in ruins
When the scene of heavy fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan lies the district of Fuzuli on the outskirts of Nagorno-Karabakh, which was won by Azerbaijani forces, is deserted following a recent ceasefire agreement reached by Moscow.
A former resident of Fuzuli in the Nagorno Karabakh region. © France 24 screengrab
‘Infernal cycle’: Violent dismantling of the latest migrant camp in Paris triggers outrage
Images of French police violently removing people from a migrating camp in central Paris have shocked and condemned politicians and NGOs. But aid workers say it is only the latest example of the “hell cycle” that migrants face in the French capital.
infernal bicycle © France 24 screengrab
TV SHOWS ONLINE
INTERVIEW
Former CIA Director Leon Panetta: ‘Donald Trump harms US national security’
In an interview with FRANCE 24, Leon Panetta, a former US Secretary of Defense and former CIA chief, discussed President Donald Trump’s refusal to allow the presidential race. He said Trump, who has been “driven by chaos for the past four years”, is making sure the last weeks of his administration are also chaotic.
INTERVIEW © FRANCE 24
Ethiopian Prime Minister: Army attack on Tigray region is “to protect the people of Tigrayan”
In an exclusive interview with FRANCE 24, Ethiopian Finance Minister Ahmed Shide defended the government’s ongoing military offensive against the northern Tigray region and its capital, Mekele. Shide said government forces had “liberated” significant parts of the region and that military operations “will be completed soon.”
Tigray © France 24 screengrab
FRENCH CONNECTIONS
French, hygiene and perfume: Why is the negative stereotype so difficult to wash away?
The old cliché says that the French have a dubious relationship with hygiene. And yet they are also known for their vibrant perfume culture. So where does the negative stereotype come from?
French connections © France 24
FOCUS
In the midst of the warming ties with Israel, the Jewish community emerges from the shadows of the UAE
This Thursday saw the first ever planned flight between Dubai and Tel Aviv, where the United Arab Emirates and Israel are expected to boast 28 weekly flights within a few weeks. By opening borders to Israeli tourists and Jews from around the world, Emirati authorities hope to revive sectors of the economy hard hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.
REPORTS
Protect the living, honor the dead: End violence against women in France
For the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on November 25, we released a special documentary about the wave in the home. Every year in France, more than 220,000 women are victims of violence to which a partner or ex-partner has been subjected. Tragically, more than 150 women were seen dead last year. We interviewed four women – a policewoman, a lawyer, a gynecologist and an activist – who are trying to change the status quo.
Reporters © France 24 screengrab
ENCORE!
‘Face It’: Debbie Harry’s Memoirs of Sex, Drugs, David Bowie and the Mask of Blondie
Blondie star Debbie Harry discusses her crazy life in rock ‘n’ roll and her autobiography, recently translated into French, which contains stories about hanging out with Andy Warhol, taking drugs, being flashed by David Bowie and having her house taken by the tax collector – while he became a pioneering rock star. It covers her adoption for three months and goes all the way up to her album “Pollinator” 2017. The band has just announced a tournament against Great Britain against odds for November 2021 with the group Garbage.
Blondie © France 24 screensaver
Movie show: Mime star Marcel Marceau’s heroes during wartime
Jesse Eisenberg plays the legendary mime star Marcel Marceau, who helped thousands of Jews escape the Nazis, in “Resistance”. Also restored films from the Japanese master Yasujiro Ozu from the 20th century and the Black Australia Festival online, which deals with raising domestic voices.
Movie Show © France 24
Feeds France: The restaurant chefs who help the poor during the Covid-19 pandemic
As restaurants are forced to remain closed until at least mid-January, we meet the top French chefs who cook for them in need during lockdown. We also dig into the mysterious world of missing and stolen art in a new online exhibition dedicated to lost masterpieces. In addition, our reporters go to the El Gouna film festival to meet the directors of the Arab world who make political films that challenge traditional societies.
YOU ARE HERE
The charm of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, a French archipelago off the coast of Canada
There is some French soil off the coast of Canada: for two centuries, the archipelago of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon with its fish-rich waters attracted people from Brittany, Normandy but above all from the Basque Country of France. Their descendants still keep the Basque heritage alive, such as the peloton sport and traditional songs.
you are here © France 24 screengrab
