IMF chief Christine Lagarde avoided immediate charges on Friday as prosecutors named her an "assisted witness" in an investigation into a state massive payout to a disgraced tycoon.chief Lagarde dodges formal investigation in courtwww.france24.com

AFGHANISTAN - Gunfire and explosions rocked central Kabul on Friday after at least two suicide bombs tore through the Afghan capital, the second attack to hit the city in just over a week. The Taliban have claimed responsibility for the blasts. launch attack in downtown Kabulwww.france24.com

Cannes Festival 2013 (4)18 mai 2013. Photos by Mehdi Chebil for FRANCE 21.

17 mai 2013. Photos Mehdi Chebil pour France 24.CANNES Festival 2013 (3)17 mai 2013. Photos Mehdi Chebil pour France 24.

FOOTBALL - FC Porto says it has struck a deal worth a combined 70 million euros ($90 million) with Monaco for midfield duo James Rodriguez and Joao Moutinho.Rodriguez, Moutinho head to Monaco for €70mwww.france24.com

CANNES - Outside the screening rooms, two other French directors in competition, François Ozon and Abdellatif Kechiche, brought a dash of unexpected drama to the Croisette by landing in the middle of very different controversies.Immigrant’ divides as Kechiche, Ozon court controversy | Les blogscannesreport.blogs.france24.comAs "Cannes fatigue" set in, James Gray's long-awaited "The Immigrant", a solid, but uninspired period drama starring Marion Cotillard, screened for the press.

FRANCE - The young Socialist minister, who embodies her party’s diversity pledge – she is a woman, young, foreign-born – has long been targeted by radical Catholics as a dangerous advocate of LGBT rights and marriage equality.off Joan of Arc’, French Catholics tell Socialist women’s minister | Les blogsbeyond.blogs.france24.comJoin FRANCE 24 journalist Sophie Pilgrim in decoding French news and views.

SAHEL - Mokhtar Belmokhtar, one of al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb’s top commanders, has taken responsibility for Thursday’s twin attacks in Niger – along with the militant group MUJAO. FRANCE 24’s Leela Jacinto explains the links between the two groups.attacks may be a collaborative jihadist effort’www.france24.com

MIDDLE EAST - In the West Bank, everyone calls him "The Godfather". Munib al-Masri, 80, is not only the richest Palestinian in the Palestinian Territories; he is also one of the most influential. Our reporters met him. al-Masri, the godfather of NablusIn his final years, Munib al-Masri is obsessed by two goals: reconciling the Palestinians, and making peace with Israel. Our reporters followed him on the road in the Middle East. By Gallagher Fenwick & Marc Perelman.

A French MP was sentenced to jail this week for spending €740,000 of public funds on vote-buying in her Marseille constituency. Yet Sylvie Andrieux is being viewed as a martyr in Marseille, where corruption seems to come with the territory.vote-buying reveals Marseille corruptionwww.france24.com

Experts seek clues in London 'lone wolf’ attackCounter-terror experts are studying footage of two assailants who hacked a man to death in London for clues about their profiles. The brutal attack bears the hallmarks of the sort of lone-wolf assaults jihadist groups have been encouraging. By Leela JACINTO.

Sweden riots over 'bleak prospects' for youth | The Observers For the past four nights, hundreds of young people have rioted in the suburbs of Stockholm, torching cars and clashing with police. Our Observer, who lives in Husby, the low-income suburb where the riots first broke out, thinks the root of the violence is the local youths' sense of social exclusion.Photo : A car on fire in the Stockholm suburb of Husby. Published on Google+ by Salah Moallin.

CANNES - Rain beat down (again!) on the press queuing outside for an evening screening of Abdellatif Kechiche’s “La vie d’Adèle” (“Blue is the Warmest Color”) Wednesday at Cannes, while poker-faced security guards stared down at us from their dry, awning-covered perch at the top of the steps. “This better be good,” I griped to a colleague... Kechiche’s lesbian romance is a masterpiece | Les blogscannesreport.blogs.france24.comBy FRANCE 24 film critic Jon Frosch.

US President Barack Obama on Thursday announced plans to scale back US drone strikes against extremists abroad and launched a new bid to close the Guantanamo Bay military prison.tackles drones, Guantanamo in security speechwww.france24.com

MUSIC - Georges Moustaki, a popular French singer and songwriter, died on Thursday in the Mediterranean city of Nice aged 79. A one-time lover of the legendary singer Édith Piaf, he began his own performing career after a decade of writing tunes for some of France’s most loved voices.Moustaki, composer of Édith Piaf hit song, dies at 79www.france24.com

To the displeasure of francophone purists, the French have a tendency to assimilate English words into their language. FRANCE 24 takes a look at the cases in which meaning ends up lost in the exchange. By Joseph BAMAT.I didn't 'catch' that: Wrestling with English in Francewww.france24.com

Criminal charges against Lagarde, 57, would mark the second scandal in a row for an IMF chief, after her predecessor Dominique Strauss-Kahn, also from France, resigned in disgrace over an alleged assault on a New York hotel maid.chief Lagarde faces inquiry over tycoon payoutwww.france24.comFRANCE - Prosecutors will question IMF chief Christine Lagarde on Thursday to determine whether she should face charges regarding a €400 million payout to disgraced businessman Bernard Tapie when...

NIGER - The al Qaeda-linked group MUJAO has claimed responsibility for coordinated suicide attacks in Niger on Thursday targeting an army barracks and nuclear plant, killing at least 20 people and taking several trainee soldiers hostage. attacks target military, Areva sites in Nigerwww.france24.com

BREAKING - Trainee soldiers taken hostage in Niger attacks Several trainee army officers have been taken hostage in an attack on an army barracks in Agadez, Niger, FRANCE 24 has learned. Niger's defence minister has confirmed the death of 20 soldiersBREAKING NEWS - Trainee soldiers taken hostage in Niger attackswww.france24.comSeveral trainee army officers have been taken hostage in an attack on an army barracks in Agadez, Niger, FRANCE 24 has learned. Niger's defence minister has confirmed the death of 20 soldiers

HAITI - Three years on, most of the rubble has been removed and an estimated 300,000 people are still living in makeshift shelters. So what’s it like to live in Port au Prince today? Eve Irvine and Alexandra Renard went to find out.Rising from the rubbleThe day after the disaster, the world was mobilised for Haiti. International aid to the tune of $10 billion was pledged. Over 200,000 people had died, and over one million left homeless.

LIBYA - Today, both towns are struggling to get back on their feet. Insecurity, housing problems and an education system in ruins are just some of their problems. Our reporters went to Sirte and Misrata. By Jean-Marie LEMAIRE / Tatiana MASAAD.Sirte and Misrata revisitedwww.france24.comIn early 2011, the Arab Spring reached Libya, after Tunisia and Egypt. On February 19th, a few days after Benghazi, Misrata rose up against the Gaddafi regime. A few months later, the last Gaddafi bastion of Sirte also fell...

WORLD POLITICS - Vali Nasr, author of "The Dispensable Nation: American Foreign Policy in Retreat" and a former senior US State department policy advisor, tells Marc Perelman about what he considers America’s dangerous choice to engage less and matter less in the world.Nasr: America’s dangerous choicewww.france24.com

TOGO - "The situation for the Nana Benz is catastrophic. We are very unhappy. Of course, before the fire at the central market, our business wasn’t exactly booming, but it’s gotten so much worse. The fire destroyed a large part of my stock. To sell our fabrics, we have had to get creative."“Nana Benz”, Togo’s fallen textile queens | The Observersobservers.france24.com

LIBYA - In early 2011, the Arab Spring reached Libya, after Tunisia and Egypt. On February 19th, a few days after Benghazi, Misrata rose up against the Gaddafi regime. A few months later, the last Gaddafi bastion of Sirte also fell. Today, both towns are struggling to get back on their feet. Insecurity, housing problems and an education system in ruins are just some of their problems. Our reporters went to Sirte and Misrata. By Jean-Marie LEMAIRE / Tatiana MASAAD.

Burger-Rama ! - The Fuss in France - By Joseph BamatI have been to more than one dinner party in France where the topic of conversation turns to cuisine typical of a region or country. Fully aware of the fate that will befall me for owning a US passport during these friendly exchanges, I patiently wait for the pummeling...| Les blogsjosephbamat.blogs.france24.com

UK - A man was killed in a brutal attack near a military barracks in south London on Wednesday, which British authorities are treating as a possible terrorist act. One of the alleged attackers (pictured) has been caught on camera with bloodied hands.killed in suspected terror attack in Londonwww.france24.com

CANNES - Ryan Gosling a no-show as Cannes jury member opens up | Les blogs Ryan Gosling was a no-show for the competition entry he headlines, Nicolas Winding Refn's "Only God Forgives", and Chadian crime film "Grigris" was underwhelming. Meanwhile, juror Lynne Ramsay told us what she's looking for in a Palme d'Or winner. Photo : Ryan Gosling in "Only God Forgives"

The clash between Tunisia's ruling Islamist Ennahda party and the Salafist Ansar al-Sharia escalated over the weekend, when Prime Minister Ali Larayedh linked the Salafist group with terrorism. But what does this mean for Tunisia's security? By Leela JACINTO / Lilia BLAISE Islamist Ennahda party turns on Salafistswww.france24.com

FBI kill man 'linked' to Boston bombing suspect An FBI agent shot and killed a Florida man with suspected links to the Boston Marathon bombings early on Wednesday, NBC News reported. NBC said the suspect was being questioned and was originally cooperative, but was fatally shot after attacking the agent.

Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Wednesday slammed a decision by the country’s conservative Guardians Council to bar a close aide from upcoming elections and vowed to take up the issue with the country’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. to challenge aide's election banwww.france24.com

FRANCE - French dailies are dominated by the suicide of a man in Paris's Notre Dame Cathedral, which sparks the admiration of far-right politicians, and by the European summit in Brussels, where leaders are pushing to clamp down on tax havens. And Algerians are still left wondering about the state of president Bouteflika’s health, as well as his whereabouts.Suicide in the Cathedral

Microsoft has unveiled its latest version of the Xbox, saying it's more an all-in-one entertainment centre than just a gaming console. In Europe, leaders meet on Wednesday to discuss how to cut down on tax evasion. We talk live to our correspondent in Brussels...launches the new Xbox while European leaders hope to cut tax dodging

Amateur footage of the Oklahoma tornado | The ObserversA massive, 3km-wide tornado struck the town of Moore in the suburbs of Oklahoma City on Monday, flattening entire neighbourhoods.

MUSIC - Keyboardist Ray Manzarek, who along with singer Jim Morrsion founded the influential rock group The Doors in 1965, died at the age of 74 at a medical clinic in Germany on Monday following a battle with cancer. Doors' co-founder Ray Manzarek dies aged 74www.france24.com

FRANCE - British journalist Peter Gumbel, author of "France's Got Talent: The woeful consequences of French elitism" speaks to FRANCE 24’s François Picard about the country’s Grandes écoles, or prestigious institutions of higher learning. By François PICARD,écoles: The making of France’s ruling elite

UK - A bill to legalise gay marriage in Britain passed a crucial hurdle in parliament on Tuesday, despite efforts by lawmakers from Prime Minister David Cameron's Conservative party to wreck the plans.marriage bill passes hurdle in British parliamentwww.france24.com

CANNES - The movie, which screened early Tuesday morning before an enthusiastic press, traces the tumultuous relationship between flamboyant Vegas pianist Liberace (Douglas) and one of his much younger boyfriends, Scott Thorson (Damon).Douglas, Matt Damon light up Cannes in gay romance | Les blogscannesreport.blogs.france24.comMatt Damon and Michael Douglas (in Steven Soderbergh's "Behind the Candelabra") at a Cannes photo call on Tuesday. Photo: Mehdi Chébil.

Iran’s election authorities have blocked ex-president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani (pictured) and Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei, a top aide of outgoing President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, from the June 14 presidential ballot, the interior ministry said on Tuesday.president excluded from presidential ballotwww.france24.com

20 mai. Photos by Mehdi Chebil for FRANCE 24.Cannes Festival 2013 (6)20 mai. Photos by Mehdi Chebil for FRANCE 24.

PARIS, FRANCE - A well known figure of the French far-right committed suicide in the world-famous Notre Dame Cathedral on Tuesday, apparently in connection to a recent law legalising gay marriage.historian kills himself in Paris's Notre Damewww.france24.com

The tight-lipped official response to Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's latest health crisis sparked conflicting reports and rumours. But beneath the fracas, real fears are simmering about Algeria’s political future. By Leela JACINTO.Algeria’s president is ill, expect no detailswww.france24.com

USA - At least 24 people were feared killed, many of them children, as a massive tornado tore through the suburbs of Oklahoma City in the US on Monday. The storm destroyed dozens of buildings including an elementary school and a hospital.search for survivors after deadly tornado

EXCLUSIVE - TIBET - France 24 correspondent Cyril Payen managed to get a seven-day visa to enter the region. What he saw lends weight to the complaints of the Dalai Lama and human rights organisations, who say Tibetan culture is being erased. days in TibetTibet has been off limits to journalists since the Chinese government brutally suppressed riots in the region five years ago.

THE CANNES REPORT - Though the main competition is always the big attraction at Cannes, sometimes the buzz leads you off the beaten path. So it was for “Blue Ruin”, a taut, atmospheric and darkly comic thriller from a largely unknown American director and featuring no big-name actors, which screened in independent side section “Director’s Fortnight” over the weekend and quickly became the talk of the town. By Jon Frosch.

SYRIA - Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is focused on a strategic corridor linking the Mediterranean coast to Damascus. Will this accelerate the fragmentation of Syria? for Qusair raises threat of Syria partitionwww.france24.comSyrian President Bashar al-Assad has lost control of northern and southern Syria and is focused on a strategic corridor...

Headscarves and long tunics don’t stop Iranian women from practising parkour Despite having to practise in unwieldy clothing – not to mention having to stay on the lookout for police - Iranian women are getting into the sport of parkour. Some even create videos in which they show off their skills, and post them online.

LEADERSHIP - Marianne Abib-Pech is French but she calls herself a product of corporate America. She used to work in finance for companies like General Electric and Shell. Now she focuses on entrepreneurship and human capital. She's the author of the 'Financial Times Guide to Leadership'. How do you become a good leader? Can just about anyone do it?do you become a good leader?www.dailymotion.comTHE BUSINESS INTERVIEW: Marianne Abib-Pech, author of "the Financial Times guide to Leadership".

The United States on Monday denounced what it called a spike in anti-Islamic sentiment in Europe and Asia, pointing to restrictions and violence against Muslims including the faith's minority sects. Releasing a wide-ranging annual report on religious freedom, Secretary of State John Kerry also voiced alarm at what he called rising anti-Jewish sentiment, and filled a position of special envoy to combat anti-Semitism.criticises anti-Muslim sentiment in Europe and Asiawww.france24.com

THE CANNES REPORT - Though the main competition is always the big attraction at Cannes, sometimes the buzz leads you off the beaten path. So it was for “Blue Ruin”, a taut, atmospheric and darkly comic thriller from a largely unknown American director and featuring no big-name actors, which screened in independent side section “Director’s Fortnight” over the weekend and quickly became the talk of the town. By Jon Frosch.Palestinian thrillers about violence and vengeance electrify Cannes | Les blogscannesreport.blogs.france24.comPhoto : Macon Blair in "Blue Ruin".

TUNISIA - "The young girl was placed under arrest yesterday (Sunday) in Kairouan... because of immoral gestures," ministry spokesman Mohamed Ali Aroui told a news conference, without elaborating. "Our society is Muslim and we do not accept this marginal behaviour," he said.activist arrested over 'immoral gestures'www.france24.comA young Tunisian activist who sparked controversy in March after posting topless photos of herself online has been arrested for committing “immoral gestures,” the interior ministry...