The Debate

By FRANCE 24 English

The Debate episodes

September 10, 2018 Ortega on France 24: Nicaragua, Venezuela and Trump's Latin America doctrine
A U-S-sponsored plot against Nicaragua...That's how that country's veteran president Daniel Ortega sees UN accusations of human rights abuses. What started back in April as a peaceful protests against pension reform has descended into a brutal crackdown on dissent in a nation once hailed by the left for overcoming dictatorship and a US-backed counter-insurgency. In an exclusive interview with France 24, Daniel Ortega blames the crisis on Washington.
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September 06, 2018 What's the matter with Sweden? Social model put to test as far-right surges
Now it's Sweden's turn. A European nation with a balance of power disrupted by the rise of far-right populists. The Sweden Democrats - a neo-Nazi-rooted formation has rebranded itself and is expected to pick off votes from the center-left and center-right in next Sunday's general election. There's blowback in the nation that per capita took in the most refugees in 2015. What will be the decider when the ballots are counted Sunday night?
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September 05, 2018 "Crazytown": Woodward book uncovers chaos in Trump White House
Another book depicting chaos inside the Trump White House. This one certainly matters: it's penned by Washington institution Bob Woodward. Four and a half decades after reporting that blew open the Watergate scandal, Woodward's tome tells of vitriol, bombast, aides who steal documents off the president's desk to for instance, keep him from killing the NAFTA free trade deal or ordering the assassination of Syria's Assad. It's captivating reading but what do we learn that's surprising?
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September 04, 2018 Debt Trap? The allure of Chinese money in Africa
Is Africa locked in a debt trap? At a summit with African leaders, China's president dismissed claims of a new colonialism as he promised 60 billion dollars in fresh funding for the continent. Can Xi Jinping's guests afford to pay him back? Will his big belt and road initiatives make them beholden to Beijing? He made a promise of «no political strings attached» but warned against vanity projects. So what are the strings attached, and are those leaders mortgaging their countries' futures?
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September 03, 2018 Lula's last stand: Brazilian left divided ahead of presidential poll
The electoral court has barred Lula Da Silva from running from jail where the former head of state's serving a 12-year sentence for corruption. Does his Workers Party move on and throw its support behind his number two Fernando Haddad, or fight for Lula until the bitter end? The presidential election's now a month away. Will disillusion power the far-right to office or signal the return of the military into politics? We also hear why the tragic museum fire in Rio has become a key campaign issue.
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August 31, 2018 The scallop war: Fishermen feud as Brexit looms
On Tuesday, a dispute between French and British boats flared up spectacularly off the estuary of the Seine in the English Channel. The French claim the larger UK vessels are plundering the seabed for scallops during a mating season when they themselves refrain from trawling coquilles-Saint Jacques, prized mollusks that are then sold back to France. Our panel discuss issues of territorial waters and sustainable fishing. Also, what will become of British fishermen who voted for Brexit?
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August 29, 2018 Algorithm Anxiety: Trump Accuses Tech Giants of Political Bias
President Trump accused Google, Facebook and Twitter of bias. He singled out Google in particular over search engine results that he claims unfairly point to unflattering stories. What's in an algorithm? Are computers shaping public opinion? The Trump administration is calling for regulation. What would that entail? The European Union is also asking for regulations especially when it comes to extremist content on social media. What is the right balance between free speech and censorship?
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August 28, 2018 Hulot Slams the Door: popular Environment Minister quits Macron cabinet
Emmanuel Macron's most popular cabinet, Nicolas Hulot, quits live on the radio. Macron defends his absolute and constant commitment to the environment as Hulot criticises the disinterest of the French government on tackling key issues around the environment. Does it show up a French president who on the world stage fancies himself as a champion of the Paris climate change deal? More broadly, does the row mean economic growth is anathema with saving the planet?
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August 27, 2018 Pressure on the Pope: can the Catholic Church recover from sex abuse scandals?
Pressure on the Pope. After again apologizing on his weekend trip to Ireland over repeated Church scandals, Francis dismisses the cover-up claims of a conservative retired US prelate. The sex abuse scandals keep coming and so do the cover-up claims. What to make of this one from the Vatican's right flank? Now, what next? A more liberal path? Or will the Church stick to its guns on homosexuality, women's rights and the celibacy of priests?
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August 23, 2018 US-China trade war. The end of free trade as we know it?
It's Day One of 16 billion dollars worth of fresh tariffs on US-imported Chinese goods... and in response, duties on the same amount of merchandise going the other way. Donald Trump doesn't expect much from a second day of trade talks in Washington, he's threatened to escalate while his commerce secretary warns "we have many more bullets than they do." Can tariffs force China to open its own economy? If not, what next? Today - in the France 24 Debate - is it the end of free trade we know it?
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A live debate on the topic of the day, with four guests. From Monday to Thursday at 7:10pm Paris time.

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