Senegalese singer Thione Seck on trial in counterfeit money case

With a voice that's both soulful and haunting, London-based singer-songwriter Luca Wilding has carved out a niche in poetic, storytelling songs with a melancholy edge. He's been dubbed an artist to keep an eye out for. He tells FRANCE 24's Florence Villeminot about his debut EP "To", a beautiful and unique collection of dream-folk songs released back in November. We also look at new releases from French trip-hop producer Wax Tailor as well as LA-based duos Rhye and Midnight Sister.

Pop, rock or punk: Yungblud doesn't like to be put in a box. He's only 23 but the musician already has a strong fan base and videos that notch up millions of views on social media. Yungblud's flamboyant style sets him apart. It's no surprise he's received accolades from Sir Elton John or Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl. Clovis Casali sat down with him in Paris for the release of his new album "Weird".

India's government lashes out at foreign celebrities for weighing in on the ongoing farmers' protests. They don't mention Rihanna by name, but the comments come after a tweet by the singer went viral, prompting The Times of India to praise her for bringing Indian farmers "under her umbrella". We also look at reactions to the Golden Globe nominations, a historic ruling holding the French government responsible for climate change and a story about pubic hair illustrated with grated carrots!

Senegalese soldiers have taken control of several hectares of cannabis fields after a successful mission to capture rebel bases in the southern Casamance region. Troops deployed in the region supported by forces from neighbouring Guinea-Bissau, as fighting flared up in a long-dormant independence conflict.

Senegal's President Macky Sall calls for calm, after days of deadly clashes between opposition supporters and security forces in the usually tranquil West African state.

Here is why you should pick up a copy of The Guardian on Monday. Here are some of the stories to look out for when you grab a copy of The Guardian on the newsstands on Monday.⁣

In a few weeks, the second season of the immensely popular reality TV show “Ferme Factory” (Farm Factory) will air across Senegal. But in contrast to the glitter and glamour usually associated with such shows, Ferme Factory is far from that: For four months, 20 contestants compete to get their hands as dirty as possible, facing various farming challenges, including both sowing and plowing. The winner is awarded with his or her very own farm, along with three years of agricultural training.

On this week's Middle East Matters, we're joined by a singer whose voice has been compared to the legendary French singer-songwriter Edith Piaf. Barbara Pravi, whose mother is Iranian, hails from a family of musicians and artists. In May, she'll be flying the flag for France in the Eurovision Song Contest. She tells us more.

The Senegalese Muslim community start the month of Ramadan in solidarity and sharing. At the Massalikul Jinaan mosque in Dakar, one of the largest in West Africa, hundreds of meals consisting of bread, dates and rice, are distributed at dusk by "Baye Fall", a branch of the Mouride brotherhood whose members are distinguished by their "dreadlocks" hairstyles, their colourful accoutrements and their devotion.

The coronavirus pandemic shut down Senegalese wrestling for a year. Now fighting is allowed again – a relief to wrestlers and spectators in the West African country where the sport enjoys widespread popularity.

Singer, Waje, call for enlightenment on malaria

In 2015, childhood friends Victor Solf and Simon Carpentier formed the neo-soul duo "Her". The band enjoyed a successful run on the French music scene but Carpentier tragically passed away in 2017, just before the release of the band's self-titled debut LP. After leading a tour for the record, Victor Solf decided to move on. He's just released his first solo album in his name, entitled "Still. There's Hope". He tells FRANCE 24's Florence Villeminot about his desire to celebrate life and why he decided to go solo.