The World This Week

This week we discuss France's political turmoil, Vladimir Putin's visit to North Korea, the prosecution of Arundhati Roy, and Netflix being sued over the veracity of its "Baby Reindeer" series.

France's snap legislative elections campaign: Left-wing alliance unveils economic manifesto

Twelve days since the shock announcement from President Emmanuel Macron and a week to go until voting in the first round of the French snap elections begins, the newly formed new French left-wing alliance has announced its economic programme. The New Popular Front is promising to raise €30 billion and tax businesses and the rich if it wins a majority. The policy has been attacked by President Macron's centrist party and by business leaders. The New Popular Front is also promising to fund new welfare handouts. The alliance is just behind the far-right National Rally in the polls.

Russia's Putin in Pyongyang to sign 'mutual defence pact'

On Wednesday morning, Russian President Vladimir Putin landed in North Korea for the first time in 24 years. On the tarmac for the meet and greet was the country’s supreme leader, Kim Jong Un. The two poker-faced leaders of pariah states let their guard down for a handshake, hugs and smiles all round. During the rare state visit, a mutual defence pact was signed. The visit also included military inspections, a tea party, a gala concert, and a "coffee in cars" show moment of deep friendship, with Putin gifting his host a Russian-made limo. 

Prosecution of Indian author Arundhati Roy for comments made in 2010

Over the weekend, news emerged from New Delhi that Booker Prize-winning author Arundhati Roy would be tried for comments she made about Kashmir 14 years ago. The lieutenant governor of the city agreed to sanction her prosecution under an anti-terror law called the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

Netflix sued over veracity of its 'Baby Reindeer' series: How true does a 'true story' has to be?

This week at the Monte Carlo TV festival, the Netflix series "Baby Reindeer" dominated much of the conversation for film producers. It has become a phenomenon in terms of the revenue it has brought in, and is already one of the most watched programmes of all time, with 85 million views so far. The controversy surrounding it has been described by a senior BBC executive as a seminal moment in TV history that will affect the whole industry. 

The question it raises is: how true does a true story have to be? The show depicts the apparently real-life story of a fledgling comedian working as a barman, who becomes a victim of relentless harassment from a convicted stalker. Though the names have been changed, it begins with the line "This is a true story".

It's been a week of political aftershocks in France, after the earthquake that was President Emmanuel Macron's sudden decision to call snap elections. His gambit, in testing the far right's EU election triumph and his banking on it being just a sign of voter frustration, is an "all the chips on the table" moment and early polls suggest the National Rally is still on course for victory. Meanwhile, an "electionally challenged" G7 gathers in Italy.

Produced by Gavin Lee, Luis Miguel Cabrera, Guillaume Gougeon and Laura Burloux.

This week has seen world leaders gather on the beaches of northern France to commemorate 80 years since the Normandy landings – the moment that marked the start of the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi Germany. This year, Ukraine's leader was invited but Russian officials were cold-shouldered. We discuss the politics of D-Day diplomacy. 

It's also been a week that's seen TV debates and election drama in the UK. Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer were combative but clipped by the question master in their first leaders' debate. The week was also milk-shaken up by the return of a ghost of Brexit past. Nigel Farage is running for parliament for the eighth time and claims he's doing it for the people. 

The past seven days have also seen an unexpected outcome in India's election and a lesson in not entirely trusting exit polls. Early indications suggested a landslide victory and third term for PM Narendra Modi. The reality of the results means no supreme reign for India's polarising nationalist leader, who failed to get a majority and now needs to build a coalition. After the humbling, what will the Modi 3.0 era look like?

Produced by Gavin Lee, Alessandro Xenos and Rebecca Gnignati.

It’s been an historic week in the US, where for the first time a former president has been convicted of a criminal offence. Donald Trump was found guilty on all charges in the so-called hush money trial on Thursday. Will this make any difference to his chances in the US presidential election?

Elsewhere, the past seven days have seen Israeli troops reach the centre of Rafah, in spite of warnings from Western allies to halt operations. We also look at why the AI Instagram image "All eyes on Rafah" has gone viral.

Meanwhile, the rules of engagement have changed in the Ukraine war. The US and Germany say their missiles can now be used against Russian military targets in Russian territory. President Vladimir Putin is threatening reprisals. 

It’s been a week that's seen a new prime minister selected to calm the chaos and crisis in Haiti. FRANCE 24's Catherine Norris Trent has spent two weeks reporting there, bringing us a rare insight into the reality in a capital under siege from within. 

And a week away from the EU election, our panel looks at the rise in Russian disinformation and the role of public broadcasters in countering the threat. 

Produced by Gavin Lee, Marion Lory and Elisa Amiri.

This week has seen an assassination attempt on populist Slovakian Prime Minister Fico and the passing of the 'Foreign agents' law in Georgia despite mass protests. We look at the advances that Russia is making in Ukraine and the worst violence sweeping New Caledonia in 40 years.

Assassination attempt on Slovakian PM Fico

The Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico is in serious condition in hospital after being shot several times in an assassination attempt Wednesday. We look at hate speech, division and disinformation in the country that many Slovaks say is more polarised than ever. 

Georgia passes 'foreign agents' law despite pro-EU protest

It’s been a week that’s seen the clash of two Georgian dreams. Tens of thousands of pro-EU protestors demonstrated on the streets outside parliament, while MPs from the ruling party – the Georgian Dream – passes a so-called Foreign Agents Act that critics say is a cut-and-paste replica of a draconian Russian law.

Russia making advances in Ukrain

Some one and a half thousand kilometres across the Black Sea from Georgia is Ukraine, where Russian forces made the largest territorial gain in a single operation since December 2022, according to local reports.

Violence in New Caledonia

It’s also been a week that’s seen France declare a state of emergency in the overseas territory of New Caledonia, after the worst violence in forty years swept the pacific island. Five people, including two police officers were killed in riots, triggered by changes to voting rights that the local population say will dilute their political influence. 

It’s been a week that’s seen intense strain on the US-Israel relationship. President Joe Biden has issued an ultimatum to Washington's strategic ally in the Middle East - if IDF troops storm Rafah, key weapon supplies will stop.

It’s been a week of walks in the Pyrenees and a stop at the Shepard's Stop Cafe, as Emmanuel Macron wined and dined China's leader Xi Jinping on a rare grand tour of Europe. History is at a turning point, said the French president, who hopes personal diplomacy can make a difference to tense relations.

Finally, it’s been a week that’s seen the spectacular arrival of the Olympic flame in Marseilles, carried on a 19th-century ship. French officials are promising a Games like no other before. We look at whether Paris can avoid the curse of the so-called White Elephant, unlike Athens, Beijing, Rio and Tokyo.

Produced by Gavin Lee, Marion Lory and Peter Hutt Sierra.

This week has seen the mass arrests of students at US universities. Pro-Palestinian demonstrators "have a right to dissent, not chaos", said President Joe Biden. It's also been yet another week where a breakthrough seemed possible in talks for a Gaza ceasefire. But come what may, Israel says the Rafah offensive will happen.

Meanwhile, it's been a week of warnings for world leaders not to look away from events in Sudan and the so-called invisible war. The US is warning that a massacre is imminent in El Fasher, the capital of north Darfur. Can anything be done to stop it? 

Finally, it's been the week where Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez stepped back from the brink of resigning. After a "time out to reflect" on what he called relentless personal attacks, he has vowed to carry on. But has the decision weakened or strengthened him? 

Produced by Gavin Lee, Luis Miguel Cabrera, Marion Lory, Guillaume Gougeon and Peter Hutt Sierra.

It's been a week where the midnight oil was burnt in Britain at a late-night session of the House of Lords. The controversial Rwanda bill was finally passed, two years since it was proposed. PM Rishi Sunak says the plan to fly migrants to Africa will be the solution to "stop the boats". But will it actually serve as a deterrent?

It's also been a week that’s seen Portugal's president make an unexpected comment. Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa says his country should pay the costs of its historical involvement in slavery and colonialism. It's a rare instance of an EU leader backing the need for reparations, but the move is not universally popular.

Finally this week, the world's third-richest man Elon Musk locked horns with the Australian and Brazilian governments. The social media boss was called an "arrogant billionaire" for refusing to remove violent content and hate speech. He claims free speech is under attack.

Produced by Gavin Lee, Luis Miguel Cabrera, Guillaume Gougeon and Juliette Brown.

How can a conflict that's regarded as the biggest humanitarian crisis in the world become known as the forgotten war? Aid agencies say that after exactly a year of civil war in Sudan, driven by a power struggle between two military factions, the world has turned away. The UN estimates that at least 14,000 Sudanese civilians have been killed. Another 8 million are displaced; 4 million of them children. Some 18 million people are facing acute hunger.

Iran-Israel shadow war out in the open

This week, in the midst of escalating conflict in the Middle East, the US, the UK, France and Germany urged Israel to use restraint in responding to an Iranian missile and drone attack in the early hours of Sunday. That, says Iran, was its revenge on Israel for striking its consulate in Syria. Fast forward to the early hours of Friday morning and explosions were heard in the central Iranian province of Isfahan in an apparent Israeli air strike. So what happens next?

First criminal trial of a former US president 

Dateline New York for a first in US history: an ex-president heading into court for a criminal trial. Jury selection for Donald Trump's trial has been a challenge, with the inherent difficulty of selecting 12 fair and independent jurors – plus six alternates – who aren't biased for or against such a divisive figure. Can a Trump jury really be independent?  

India sees world's biggest election

The world’s biggest election, which has just got under way in India, will be taking place for the next six weeks. It involves 968 million eligible Indian voters, more than 2,500 political parties and one likely result: a third term for the Hindu nationalist prime minister Narendra Modi. The latest approval ratings make him the most popular leader in the world right now, with popularity scores of 78 percent. Is a Modi win guaranteed?

Could this week be remembered as a turning point in Israel's war in Gaza? Israel has admitted it killed seven aid workers in Gaza, stemming from a "serious failure due to a mistaken identification" that has led to widespread condemnation. Western countries say initial Israeli answers that it was a "tragic accident" are not sufficient. The recently unwavering support from the US is now wavering and conditional on the steps Israel takes in protecting civilians. 

Will new president bring radical change? Good week for democracy after elections in Senegal

Half a thousand kilometres southwest of Gaza, in Senegal, the new president was sworn in on Tuesday. In a surprise for many observers, it was a fair election, after months of protests against the government of Macky Sall and the jailing of key opposition leaders.  

Opposition candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who was barely a week out of prison, won the election outright in the first round and surprised even seasoned Senegal analysts and their predictions of a likely rigged and unfair election.

A worthy Paris Olympics headliner? Culture war over French singer Aya Nakamura

Aya Nakamura is the most listened-to French artist in the world, with more than a billion downloads on Spotify and twice that in YouTube views.

Born Aya Danioko in Mali, the 28-year-old grew up in the Paris suburbs. Nakamura is her stage name. This week, President Emmanuel Macron backed the idea of her singing at the Paris Olympics opening ceremony, this after far-right figures said she was unsuitable for the role.

Produced by Luis Miguel Cabrera, Rebecca Gnignati and Laura Burloux.