The World

As predicted, the French president's election gamble is paying off — for his political rivals. Emmanuel Macron called for early elections and over the weekend, his centrist alliance came in third, while the far-right party of Marine Le Pen won the first round of voting with 33%. What it means for France, and for Europe. Also, he is on his way out as Mexico's president, but Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador still wants to complete a radical reform of the country's judiciary. And celebrations in Brazil called the June Festivals -or Festas Juninas run well into the month of July. These local events are held across the country, with each region doing so in its own different way, at schools, churches and town halls. 

Kenya begins its deployment of police to Haiti just as Kenyans are drawing attention to policing issues at home. When this week's demonstrations in Nairobi escalated, police were accused of excessive force in their response, which included widespread use of tear gas, as well as deadly shootings. Plus, Thursday night's US presidential debate drew strong reactions from throughout the globe. We'll hear global perspectives and takeaways on the televised representation of America's presidency and American democracy. And, the Olympics are coming to Paris for the first time in more than a century. We'll take a fun trip back in time, to see how much the Games have changed since then.

There's a convincing explanation for Mohammad Shabani's death, but the evidence is incomplete. While Fariba Nawa waits for a crucial piece of evidence to be analyzed, she tries to find out how far Iran will go to silence dissidents. A Turkish court case exposes an Iranian kidnapping ring and offers an answer. Fariba finds a source to guide her through some of the inner workings of the secret operation.

Many young Iranians say they plan to boycott Friday’s election to replace the late-President Ebrahim Raisi. Also, a look at the political fault lines behind the attempted coup in Bolivia. And, An appeals court in Paris has ruled that an international arrest warrant issued by France against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is valid. Also, who is Keir Starmer, the Labour party leader expected to be the British prime minister. Plus, scientists find new evidence that the painted lady butterfly is making the  2,600-mile trek across the Atlantic from West Africa to South America without stopping.

Kenya’s president concedes to protesters following a week of unprecedented demonstrations against a proposed finance bill. Also, outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has been selected as the next secretary-general of NATO. And, WikiLeaks founder Jullian Assange walks out of a courtroom on the US territory of Saipan a free man after pleading guilty to a single charge of publishing US military secrets. Plus, French Chilean rapper Ana Tijoux releases her newest album, “Vida.”

Thousands of people have taken to the streets to reject a finance bill underway in Kenya’s parliament, with some demonstrations turning deadly. Also, Israel’s Supreme Court ruled unanimously that the military must begin drafting ultra-Orthodox men for compulsory service, effectively putting an end to a longstanding exemption for the group. And, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has reached a plea deal with the US Department of Justice. Plus,  Cameroonian singer and guitarist "Irma" pays homage to the King of Pop 15 years after the death of icon Michael Jackson.

Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air.

A series of seemingly coordinated attacks on synagogues and Orthodox churches took place in the Russian republic of Dagestan over the weekend, killing at least 20 people, and injuring dozens more. Also, sword duels with real blades have been barred for centuries throughout Europe. But every year — across Germany and Austria — hundreds of male university frat house members still undergo a secretive, violent and bloody sword-fighting ritual, using real sharpened blades. And, more than 1,300 pilgrims perished making the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia this month. The majority of those who died were "unauthorized," meaning they lacked the official “Hajj visa" that the Saudi government requires. Plus, a cafe and performance space for Arabic speakers in Turkey.

Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air.

Latvians mark the summer solstice by celebrating the longest day of the year. Also, a new discovery of a rare genetic mutation of one family in Colombia may present an opportunity to learn how the body could naturally resist Alzheimer’s. And, new mothers in different parts of the world find that preparing the traditional foods of their own mothers and grandmothers from their home countries can ease the transition to motherhood. Plus, a look at the intersection of fashion and sports as Paris hosts the Summer Olympic Games.

In the city where the dissident Mohammad Shabani died, Fariba Nawa finds evidence that points towards his cause of death.

Russia and North Korea have sign onto a new partnership, vowing mutual aid if either country is attacked, while South Korea responds by saying it will consider sending weapons to Ukraine. Also, French President Emmanuel Macron joins several African leaders to kick off a planned $1 billion project to accelerate the rollout of vaccines across Africa after the COVID-19 pandemic exposed gaping inequalities in access to them. And, farmers in northern Israel say the war in Gaza has devastated their businesses. Officials in Margaliot, a tiny agricultural settlement bordering southern Lebanon, want the town to “sever contact with the Israeli government” following what they see as months of abandonment. Plus, a new documentary that takes a look at the Women's World Cup of 1971 in Mexico.