Space wars: Meet the French soldiers scanning the skies

The recent passing of Jane Birkin was a reminder of just how attached French people are to la chanson française, which literally translates to "French songs" but is much more than that. Chanson française is a very distinct genre of music and is intertwined with French culture and history. Several styles of chanson française have emerged over the years, but the defining feature that ties them all together is that it's all about the words. In this episode of French Connections we take you on a musical tour of la chanson française.

Chess is growing in popularity in countries on the African continent, like Nigeria. DW caught up with one young player who is sharing her passion for the game to inspire others in her community to play. DW's Olisa Chukwumah reports from Lagos.

From infrastructure to security, transport to ticketing, Paris still has a series of challenges ahead before it hosts the world's biggest sporting event from July 26, 2024. One year before the Games begin, FRANCE 24 sat down with Tony Estanguet, head of the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics Organising Committee, who also discussed the importance of the highly awaited opening ceremony on the River Seine.

When French aristocrat Pierre de Coubertin revived the Olympics in 1894, he imagined the Games as an occasion for world peace as countries came together in amicable sporting events.

A hundred years ago, painters, sculptors, writers and musicians battled for gold, silver and bronze at the Olympics. To mark a year until the Paris Games, we're looking at the artistic side of the world's biggest sporting event with an exclusive interview with highly acclaimed theatre director Thomas Jolly, who's in charge of the opening and closing ceremonies.

Bruno Le Maire has said cutting all economic ties with China, as some in the West have proposed, is "an illusion." Germany is among the countries seeking to reduce what it sees as a perilous reliance on the Asian giant.

The decision to cancel the Open Water Swimming World Cup on the Seine River was taken after analysis of water samples. The French capital was hit by heavy rains that caused a sewage overflow.

Water quality tests showed higher than acceptable levels of bacteria in the Seine River. It's the third time this month organizers have been forced to cancel a swimming event in the waterway.

"We cannot give Marine Le Pen an inexorable path to power," French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin warned, as speculation grows that he might be vying to succeed Emmanuel Macron.

Niger's military junta on Friday announced ordered French ambassador Sylvian Itte to leave the country within 48 hours. Macron reiterated Paris' support for ousted President Mohammed Bazoum.

France says it will not budge in its refusal to engage with Niger's coup leaders. A month after their takeover, they issued a Monday deadline to the French ambassador to leave their country, but Paris has insisted its envoy will stay put. Also, Africa sets its own stage in Kenya for conversations about its experience of the ravages of climate change. With the first ever Africa climate summit now a week away, we speak to its CEO about the existential stakes faced by the continent.