anchor: you are watching "france 24." these are today's top stories. johnny: [singing in french] the man known as the french elvis, johnny hallyday, has died. he sold over a million albums in a career that spanned six decades, making him a national treasure in france, but little-known overseas.

u.s. president donald trump is set to officially recognize jerusalem as the capital of israel today. the controversial move comes despite frantic warnings from u.s. allies around the world, and potentially violent protests. we will start first with the biggest news here in france today, the death of french rock icon johnny hallyday. it is really hard to overstate just how much johnny really means to the french. he has been part of people's lives for almost 60 years, selling over 100 million albums and starring in close to 30 films. he has also become part of people's lives as they lived vicariously through his five marriages, his battle with addiction, and of course his music.

we report. reporter: the rockstar johnny hallyday was considered the french elvis. he was one of france's most loved performers. his career spans half a century. in that time, he sold more than 100 million records. he appeared on french television for the first time in 1960. he was 17. he had his first hit shortly afterward. nir, souvenir ♪ reporter: he built a following. 1962,another hit from "hold back the night."

became a superstar pinup for singing rock 'n roll in french. [sayings in french] reporter: he was a pioneer of the madison in france. career, he served some trends of the time, from soul and blues to rock 'n roll and pop. in the final years, he could still draw huge crowds. johnny: [singing in french] reporter: in 1997, he was awarded by then-president jacque chirac. an actor, also playing several roles in the cinemama. in 2009, he suffered ill health following an operation for colon cancer. his band saw him leaving the los angeles airport looking weak, in a wheelchair. johnny hallyday never made the

bibig time outside the french-speaking world. he is ironically nicknamed "the biggest rock star you've never heard ofof in france, though, he is an icon, one of the greatest entertainers ever -- a legend. johnny: [singing in french ] more about johnny hallyday and to explain to international viewers who he is, i'm joined on set by the perfect person, and american music journalist who has been working here in the music industry for decades. that of all, why is it johnny was just so popular? analyst: he was just -- our lives. people for decades like you and me, he has been in our lives 60 years, 50 years. we followed him through almost dying, car accidents, stopping drinking. it is part of our life.

you hear him every day. his music is on the radio. it is just they are. he is there. genie: he was such a great performer, such a beautiful voice from the beginning, that really matured with age. he is unique in that he was the key to bringing u.s. rock music to france. valli: he had the american dream. he embodied the american dream. he loved james dean. he loved everything he could get his hands on, as far as the american culture, rock 'n roll. , look, in france, we are listening to the music our parents do not listen to. we are teenagers. that idea came in the 1950's in america. when johnny hallyday started singing his songs, and they were a lot of covers of american songs that we knew in america -- he took on as cover songs. finally, the french adolescents, the teenagers, had their music, and it was not the music of papa, as they say in this

country. genie: you wororked in the music industry. did you know johnny hallyday? valli: when i came to france in 1991 and heard of johnny hallyday -- we had never heard of him in america because french language music does not really crossed the pond or the channel, except for maybe dominique in the 1960's. what is this guy? he thinks he is elvis presley. he has blonde hair, mascara, and i met him in 1983 at the city hall in paris. he says, i like what you do. i was like, ok, i get it. charisma. charisma. he could sell it. he was just amazing. he had this -- just everything a light, theim, eyes, his stature -- everything. genie: i agree. i had a chance to meet johnny hallyday myself. very tall, imposing -- valli: and shy at the same time.

i felt a little shy. i think that is why the french love him. he was never arrogant. you would see him on tv and he could not get out two sentences, but he was also very close to the people. in that sense, he never played the rockstar. he was always very humble. .ou interviewed him it was like you or me coming on to talk to a presenter. genie: another thing that might be hard for people who are not in france to understand -- the cold of his fans. valli: -- the cult of his fans. valli: they have been outside his house in the west of paris since -- on thursday, there was a rumor he had already died. the fans have been camping out ever since. they want to be there when johnny breathed his last ref. there is barriers all around him. elvis presley,ke who died 40 years ago -- exactly the same idea. fans loved him. he loved his fans.

and they are faithful. i heard a 12-year-old this morning on the radio saying how he loved johnny hallyday even though his mother does not really like him. a big fan base. genie: definitely a singer who reached many generations. thank you for speaking to us. a music journalist and radio dj based in paris. in addition to his huge radio career, johnny hallyday made close to 30 films. he worked with some of the biggest directors in france, playing mostly gangsters and pop stars. quentin director tarantino was said to be a fan and was reportedly working on a script for the star. reporter: while johnny hallyday may be best known for his music, the french rocker has appeared in dozens of films, from the very beginning of his career. movies. mixed music and in 1963, he starred in the whole howard' -- noel howard's film

with a woman who would become wife number one. he is a struggling musician who finds himself embroiled in a police investigation when it turns out his employers are notorious gangsters. hallyday also worked with john the good guard -- lean -- with jean-luc goddard. >> it is great to work w with goddard. some days go well. others do not. it is an experience you tackle again tomorrow. reporter: set in a hotel, it follows a couple who attempt to collect a debt from a shady boxing manager played by johnny hallyday. meanwhile, the hotel detective tries to solve an old murder case. hallyday tended to play either pop stars or gangsters. in "the man on the train," he plays a gangster whose chance

meeting with a retired teacher changes both of their lives. when it comes to johnny hallyday, his strength is that he has always wanted to become an actor. his musicallike if career was unexpected, a bit like a mishap. when i have had to work with him, i have always treated him as an actor. reporter: in 2006, hallyday sorrel -- starred in an alternate universe film nominated for best original screenplay. 'sarring an actor as hallyday biggest fan, it asks, what if johnny hallyday never existed? >> i have all the cd's including the s special collector sets. [singining in french] you are pulling my leg, right? >> johnny, it is rock 'n roll. you have to understand that.

1964, the power of the beatles, the power of the stones. johnny used to cause a riot everywhere he would go. it would turn into a riot. i brawl. that was johnny hallyday. mostter: he generated the buzz with "vengeance," a hong kong thriller nominated for r a cannes golden palm. hallydyday plays a melancholy hitman turned chef, seeking revenge. >> i did not have much dialogue. and holding a gun - -- well, i already knew how to do that. reporter: perhaps more than how tog, hallyday knew be himself. johnny: rock 'n roll is dedead. f film, "rock 2017 is dead," he helped anan actor come through a midlife crisis. >> for me, there is not anyone left. it is not really hip anymore. reporter: johnny hallyday

remained rock and roll right up to the end, on the stage and the screen. genie: johnny hallyday, the today,rock icon, died age 74. another major new story we are covering on "france 24" and later today. is. president donald trump set to officially recognize jerusalem as the capital of israel. theannouncement would move u.s. embassy out of tel aviv and into jerusalem itself. that will be welcomed by u.s. ally israel and pro-israeli evangelical christian voters who are a key part of trump's base, but the controversial move comes despite fierce opposition and anger across the arab world and warnings from the muslim immunity not to go ahead. let's go to jerusalem with our correspondent. what is the reaction to this announcement? side, on the palestinian there is disbelief, confusion, and some anger.

we have not seen large protests in the west bank today. it is very wet. i think they are looking to friday, the day that friday prayers -- the day that is usually the most controversial and when there are the largest protests. in gaza, there was a protest. there was a photograph of pictures of donald trump, and a hamas spokesman said this was a flagrant attack on arabs and muslims, with dangerous consequences. lining up with the file to view that is the view of palestinian president mahmoud abbas, who has been saying this, across the , and to donald trump himself. i think they are waiting for the 7:00 speech to see the exact meaning. is donald trump going to say he recognizes the jewish capital is jerusalem, in jerusalem? that makes it slightly different. but i think the sense of disappointment and betrayal is huge. we have heard from people here,

palestinian officials saying donald trump said he wanted to make the deal of the century, peace between arabs and israelis, and he has aborted this deal before it is even born. there hasyou said, been angry reaction across the arab world. has there been any official israeli reaction so far to all of this? irris: we have not had an official israeli reaction. benjamin's prime minister come a benjamin netanyahu, spoke at a conference today. we were waiting throughout the whole speech, and he did not say a word about this. we understand that actually is a request from washington that there be no official reactionn until president trump has spoken himself. when i speak to people and i hear them interviewed, there is a pretty broad consensus in israel that this won't change the religious significance of the city. it will remain wholly t to three religions -- jujudaism, christiaianity, and islam.m. it is a recognition that many , that this is the

political capital of israel. they say that for all the years the ottomans were here, they did not make jerusalem their capital. this is something that many israelis think. however, having said that, i have heaeard opposition leaders say they regard trump as a part of a maniac, not aware of how dangerous and incendiary when he is doing is, and that the people who will pay the price are the local people here. genie: thank you for that. irris meckler reporting from jerusalem. we will report on donald trump later today live at 7:00 p.m. french time. france president emmanuel macron is in algeria today. 1954 through the 1962 independence war in algeria, in which hundreds of thousands of algerians were killed and tortured, has left the scars. his presidential trip is meant to turn the page on the colonial past, but the french president

is not meant to apologize for his countries actions, as some are demanding. in a visit earlier this year, the candidate macron shocked many in france when he said france's more than a century of colonial rule was "a crime against humanity." time for our business update with brian quinn. you are going to start in ireland, where time is running out to figure out a solution for the border with northern ireland once the u.k. leaves europe. brian: we're just about a week away from a summit between the u.k. anti-e.u. that will decide whether brexit talks can move on to crucial negotiations over a trade relationship. the issue of a border between the republic of ireland, a member of the e.u., and northern ireland, a part of the u.k., is proving enormously difficult. neither side wants a hard border between them, but neither can afford to have the border that an open frontier on the island would require. this is causing irish

businesses concern. they are facing an uncertain future as the u.k. government is trying and so far failing to #a deal about what to do with the irish order when it leaves the e.u. this chocolate manufacturer sends 80% of its exports to the u.k., traded does not want to lose because of a hard border between the u.k. and irelandnd. >> sleepless nights question mark absolutely. it is difficult to plan for the unknown. big concerns are how our border control is going to be. reporter: coming up with an agreement that works for everyone is not going to be easy. the republican of ireland does open border with northern ireland if it comes at the cost of having to introduce a border between itself and the rest of the e.u. it is, after all, still part of the union. northern ireland and the u.k. want to stick together. they are still a country and will not accept the border between them. northern ireland and the

republic do not want a hard -- a hard border either, determined to stay true to the good friday peace process. a hard border would mean customs controls for countless goods and workers across the border every day. for this company, it would mean disrupted delivery routes and increased paperwork. court, manchester, birmingham, there is no difficulty. there is free circulation within the e.u. that is going to stop. reporter: time is running out to find a solution. britain and the e.u. have only days to make a deal before the summit december 14 to decide whether talks can move forward on a future trade relationship. genie: how are the markets looking? brian: the european indexes mixed. investors are nervous over a host of geopolitical developments, including brexit talks and donald trump's decision to recognize jerusalem as the capital of israel. the cac in paris down about 0.5%.

the dax around 0.9%. the big winner today -- bitcoin. the crypto currency is smashing through new records, passing $12,000 for the first time, currently all the way up to $12,634 for each coin. let's look at more of today's top business headlines. nestle is purchasing aetrium innovations. ththe conglomerate will pay for the canadian vitamin and supplement maker. aetrium employs 1400 people with 700 million dollars in sales in 2017. the move furthers nestle's healthon into consumer products and looks to reposition itself in a health-conscious marketplace. 4500al electric is cutting jobs in europe. the american industrial giant made the decision after reviewing assets it purchased from a french train maker. cuts are expected in switzerland, germany, and britain.

was r raising the tararget for its next fununding round. chief rival in the u.s. isis currently valued a around 0 billion. they wanted to double its position at the start of the year. raised by being google parent alphabet, which looks for -- looks to capitalize on out books for uber in 2017. texting: -- genie: while driving is bad, but what about shopping while driving? brian: gm says it is coming. the u.s. automaker plans to equip new model carars with e-commerce technology built right into the dashboard. drivers will be able to order food on the go, find gas stations, and reserve hotel rooms by tapping the screen icon. the marketplace technology is developed with ibm and will be uploaded automatically to over a million dollars -- a million vehicles. for has also rolled out a

partnership with amazon for the alexa personal digital assistant. a little safer because it is hands-free. genie: you always have your passenger with you. brian: keep your eyes on the road is what i want to say. genie: indeed. it is now time for the press review. we will take a look at what the press here in france and outside of france has been saying about the death of rock icon johnny hallyday. analyst: a lot of tributes pouring in all morning. johnny was iconic, with striking blue green eyes, a raspy voice, his gyrating moves. he was one-of-a-kind, and it is our lead story on the website, as you see here. those of you who might be outside of france, wondering why this is such a big deal -- this tweet sums it up. this user says, he was

essentially the french elvis, a rock star than five decades. the artist who sold more than 100 million albums. you really get an idea of how big a deal johnny hallyday was. his ex-wife paid tribute to him as well, saying, if he was not love hit, it was a lot like love. i call of france, my heart is broken. he formed an iconic rock couple for about two decades, sylvie vartan and johnny hallyday. seline was one of the first to tweet out her condolences, saying he was a giant in show business, a true icon. genie: on twitter, many fans are reacting to the death of johnny hallyday, even though it does not come entirely as a surprise, because he was quite sick for some time. analyst: he has been declared

many times in the past. obviously not true. beentime, fans have posting, he will no longer light a fire. that was one of his most famous lines from one of his most famous songs. but his final rest forever in the hearts of french people. rest in peace, johnny. another user has noted that cymer six is saint nicholas day. he suggested we baptizing it to "saint johnny." genie: the debt has been reported wididely outside ofof france as well. analyst: we are looking atat the french open speaking press. a canadian paper were one of the first to dedicate their front 's death.ohnny a front-page cover, johnny hallyday. a swiss paper calls it a requiem for a fire.

a belgian paper says a legend of rock has died. they call him a myth and an idol. "therench version of huffington post" has been going big on this story. they use a line from a famous song of johnny hallyday, a cover of "black is black." genie: you have something from "the washington post." analyst: mike many papers, it called him the french elvis. whoseotice he was one fame largely ended at the french-speaking world, but his career in france outlasted eight french presidents. i want to show you a cartoon with those comparisons to elvis. here is johnny at the gates of heaven, saying, well i finally get to meet elvis? the person says, he has not arrived yet. he is still living on his island. genie: you found a poignant obituary from "the guardian,"

the british paper. analyst: it gives us details we did not know before him. their account he was a man so famous in france that jimi hendrix once open for him and one of his concerts. "the guardian" explains he was often mocked for being an airhead, something he hated and actively fought against, often saying he was smarter than people give him credit for. hard-show rocker image, he never got over childhood abandonment by his parents, and was reportedly afraid of the dark, according to "the guardian." the music website billboard explains bobby halladay sold more records than mick jagger. you get an idea of just how big he is. johnny hallyday also had his share of scandal. analyst: he really did live his life like a rock 'n roll star. drugs, fast cars, motorbikes, high-profile romance, and the

tax problems. he was often fighting with the french taxman. a french paper reports he actually left france to take up residency in jerusalem over these tax issues. he lost a battle against the french taxman, owing 9 million euros in unpaid taxes. its on a softer note. we are looking through the instagram account of leticia, his wife. the most recent things she posted -- here is johnny hallyday, cowboy hat and all. -- apoignant pictures celebration with leticia and his kids. finally, a picture of f the famy in the kitchen, enjoying a meal. talking about johnny hallyday, the french rockstar, who died today, age 74. if you want a closer look on any

of our coverage, you can check out our website, france24.com. break, butke a quick back in a minute with more on the legacy of johnny hallyday.

narrator: yet anotother hurricae pounds cuba. waves as tall as five story buildings. streets flooded. many forced from their homes. in an era of climate change, ather around the world is becoming more extreme. hurricanes are getting worse. if this is the future for our coastal cities, how will they survive the storm?