“Paris 2024 is aware of global technical issues affecting Microsoft software,” said a spokesperson. “These issues are impacting Paris 2024’s IT operations.

“Technical teams have been fully mobilised to mitigate the impacts of these issues and we have activated contingency plans in order to continue operations,” the spokesperson added.

Microsoft said the issue began on Thursday evening with users of its Azure cloud platform running cybersecurity software CrowdStrike Falcon.

George Kurtz, CrowdStrike’s CEO, said in a post on several social media platforms that a fix had been rolled out for the problem. He described the problem as a defect found in a single content update for Windows hosts.

Access

In Paris, the faulty systems affected the distribution of badges allowing athletes, officials and reporters access to the Olympic facilities.

Next Friday evening, around 10,000 athletes will set sail in a flotilla of vessels to travel six kilometres along the river Seine as part of the opening ceremony.

Tony Estanguet, who heads the organising committee, added: “This does not call into question the security of access to critical and essential information.

“On the other hand, it has slowed down operations to welcome new athletes and all the delegations.  But we are adapting.”

Flight chaos

From Amsterdam to Zurich, Singapore to Hong Kong, airport operators flagged technical issues that were disrupting their services.

Some airports told planes they could not land, while in others airline staff began checking in passengers manually.

Spanish airport operator Aena AENA.MC reported a computer systems incident at all Spanish airports led to flight delays.

“We are working to solve it as soon as possible, the airport operator said in a post on social media. “Meanwhile, operations are continuing with manual systems.”

Troy Hunt, a cybersecurity consultant, said the scale of the IT failure was unprecedented.

(With newswires)

Around 3,000 dancers, musicians and actors will take to the banks of the river Seine and its bridges as part of the gala in which 10,000 athletes will be ferried six kilometres in a flotilla of vessels between Pont d’Austerlitz and the Pont d’Iena.

The Syndicat français des artistes interprètes (SFA) says around 300 people had been signed up for the Olympics and Paralympics on different deals to the majority of the performers.

And despite repeated requests for answers and revamped arrangements from the recruiting agency Paname 24, the SFA says it will tell its members to pull out of next week’s show as well as the opening ceremony for the Paralympic Games on 28 August.

 “We regret to have to announce filing a strike notice for July 26 as well as for the upcoming rehearsals for the opening ceremony for the Paralympic Games,” the union said in a statement.

“We proposed an open discussion to find solutions acceptable to all, within the time constraints linked to the approach of the ceremonies,” the SFA added. “But to date, Paris 2024 and Paname 24 seem to be playing for time, by not scheduling any new meetings.”

Prestige

The gridlock comes as large swathes of the capital have become no-go zones for cars and unauthorised pedestrians as temporary stands are constructed for opening ceremony next Friday evening.

Traditionally, the event has been a single site spectacular. Paris organisers floated the idea of an array of venues at the handover ceremony following the Tokyo Games.

And the organising committee eventually anointed Thomas Jolly as artistic director for the spectacle after they opted to take the ceremony outside a stadium for the first time.

“Out in the city, we’ll be able to have 10 times more people involved compared to an opening ceremony at the Stade de France,” said Paris 2024 organising committee boss Tony Estanguet.

And despite revising the figures from initial projections of 600,000 to around 400,000 people, Estanguet and his lieutenants have bugled the originality of the exploit. 

“We, the cohorts of actors, dancers, acrobats at the opening ceremonies of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, are keen to take part in a ceremony of celebration,” said the SFA.

“And yet, while the slogan: “Faire mieux ensemble” (Doing better together) is being displayed everywhere in the streets of Paris today, we note that our conditions of employment have not been discussed together, nor for the better!”

The SFA says some artists from outside Paris are being offered expenses for lodgings when fellow performers on the same contracts will not receive cash for housing costs.

Deals

The union is also angry that money given to artists for the recording and broadcasting of their performances, range between €60 for occasional workers in the entertainment industry to €1,610 for employees who have benefited from successful collective negotiations.

A spokesperson for the Paris 2024 organising committee, said the issue of working conditions was taken very seriously.

“Paname 24 complies with the dancers’ collective bargaining agreements,” the spokesperson added. “Fees are said to be even higher than the conventional minimum.

“After verification, we were able to ascertain that our service provider Paname 24 has complied strictly with the law, applying the collective agreements applicable to the profession of dancer.” 

On Tuesday, Paris airport workers called off a strike that would have disrupted travel just ahead of the Olympic Games after unions reached a deal with airport managers ADP.

Workers helping with Olympic delegations and their baggage will get bonuses, ADP bosses said.

• Paris airports labour dispute threatens Olympics arrivals

Along with the capital’s train stations, ADP-operated Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports will be the main gateways into France for foreign visitors to the Olympics, as well as athletes and their equipment.

Braun-Pivet, who held the post during the previous parliament, won 220 votes on Thursday night during a third round of voting to beat off the challenge of the veteran left-wing candidate André Chassaigne and Sébastien Chenu from the National Rally party.

Chassaigne, 74, denounced the result as a deal between President Emmanuel Macron’s party and the Republican party.

“The Republicans, through an alliance with Madame Yaël Braun-Pivet, voted for this president in exchange for positions of responsibility in the National Assembly that will be far above how much weight they actually carry,” Chassaigne said in an interview on the French radio station franceinfo on Friday.

“It’s a Pyrrhic victory,” said Chenu. “It is against nature … between Macron’s supporters and the Republican party who got themselves elected a fortnight ago by saying they were the opposition to Emmanuel Macron and they have just voted for Yaël Braun-Pivet. It circumvents the will of the voters.” 

During a short acceptance speech on Thursday night, 53-year-old Braun-Pivet said she recognised she was under pressure to offer cohesion after parliamentary elections had failed to produce a party with a majority in the 577-seat lower house.

“What we can say to each other is that we have an immense responsibility,” she told MPs. “There are major issues at stake and our decisions, our actions can change our lives.

“We have to listen to these messages from the voters and come up with solutions, using new methods. This assembly is more representative of the French people, but also more divided. It is necessary to find compromises.”

Macron took to social media on Thursday night to offer his congratulations.

“All those who know you know that you will ensure respect for the plurality of opinions and the expression of the diversity of sensibilities,” he said.

Braun-Pivet, who had been serving as the minister for overseas territories, became the first woman to  hold the post of speaker when she was selected for the role of organising and moderating parliamentary debates in June 2022.

• Macron forced to find allies to build ruling majority as new French parliament opens

The horse trading will continue on Friday to pick Braun-Pivet’s six deputy speakers along with 12 secretaries and three financial administrators.

Each parliamentary group is entitled to propose candidates for the various roles, as well as for the chairs of eight standing parliamentary committees ranging from finance and foreign affairs to defence and culture.

Goal

Leaders on the left have called for the far right to be denied any positions of power within parliament, while some centrists say they will seek to block candidates from either the National Rally or the left-wing France Unbowed.

Such stances flout convention, by which the leadership of the National Assembly is typically drawn from a mix of parliamentary groups. 

The first vice-presidency and at least one financial administrator job traditionally go to members of the opposition, while rules expressly require that the opposition chairs the finance committee. Seats on the committees, meanwhile, are divided proportionally between groups.

With more than 140 seats, the National Rally heads the third-biggest group in the assembly and has already said it wants the top job on the finance committee.

Six kilometres of the river Seine between Pont Austerlitz to the east and the Champs de Mars have been designated for the first launch ceremony outside the main Olympic stadium.

The procession involving a flotilla of boats and around 7,000 athletes will skirt around the two islands at the centre of the city – the Île Saint Louis and the Île de la Cité – before passing under several bridges.

The cruise will take in Olympic venues such as Parc Urbain La Concorde, the Esplanade des Invalides and the Grand Palais before ending near the Eiffel Tower.

“Athletes will be the heart and soul of the ceremony,” said a Paris 2024 spokesperson.

“By opening with the parade of athletes, Paris 2024 is breaking with tradition,” the spokesperson added.

“Athletes will be featured on stage during the introduction to and throughout the ceremony as part of Paris 2024’s constant aim to hold Games created for and by athletes.”

However, the closure of central riverside districts to most vehicles as well as metro stations has inflicted complications for drivers as well as residents and tourists.

“The Olympics have brought us nothing but misery,” said taxi driver Rabah Ouanes.

The 53-year-old complained on Thursday about deteriorating conditions because of construction work on the roads.

 “I have lots of clients who get in and then abandon their journey when they see they’re not getting anywhere.”

Changes

Off the road, traditional hotspots were feeling the chill of the two-tiered security perimeter.

“Our clients are down by 50 percent,” moaned Renaud, a senior waiter at Les Deux Magots cafe in Saint-German-des-Prés, which was sucked into the new security perimeter set up on Thursday.

“Normally we have people queueing out the door,” he told the French news agency AFP.

Around 10km to the north-east of Saint-German-des-Prés, the first athletes arrived at the newly built Olympic Village in the Saint-Ouen.

Comprising around 40 different low-rise housing blocs, the complex has been built as a showcase of innovative construction techniques using low-carbon concrete, water recycling and reclaimed building materials.

“We are super excited to check how it’s looking,” Australian hockey player Stephanie Kershaw said en route to her room in the village. “We can’t wait to get started.”

 Members of the Argentinian, Brazilian and Kenyan delegations as well British and American athletes were also due to settle in on Thursday.

On Wednesday, France’s Interior Minister, Gerald Darmanin, attempted to calm fears of a terrorist attack during the opening ceremony.

He told journalists that security services had not established what he described as credible threats.

Around 500,000 people are expected to pack along the Seine to witness the ceremony. Some will view proceedings from seats in specially constructed stands along the river banks.

 Martine Dubois, a 74-year-old living in Saint-Germain-des-Pres, branded the Games a real inconvenience.

“The metro stop I use has been closed for security reasons,” she complained. “All the barriers make you feel like you’re living in a prison.”

Von der Leyen was re-elected by members of the European Parliament for another five-year term in charge of the European Union’s executive body with 401 votes in favour.

She needed 361 votes from a total of 720 lawmakers.

Addressing the parliament in Strasbourg before the vote, the centre-right von der Leyen laid out a programme focused on prosperity and security.

She also stressed the need not to backtrack on the “Green Deal” transformation of the EU economy to fight climate change, a key pledge for Greens who were earlier undecided on whether to support her.

“The next five years will define Europe’s place in the world for the next five decades. It will decide whether we shape our own future or let it be shaped by events or by others,” von der Leyen said ahead of the secret ballot on her candidacy.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz congratulated von der Leyen for securing another term.

Her re-election is “a clear sign of our ability to act in the European Union, especially in difficult times”, Scholz wrote on social media.

Expanding Europe’s defences

After pledging to support Ukraine for as long as it takes in its fight against Russia, von der Leyen said Europe’s liberty was at stake and it must invest more in defence.

The former German defence minister pledged to create “a true European Defence Union”, with flagship projects on air and cyber defence.

She also blasted Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s recent visit to Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow as an “appeasement mission”, winning broad applause from lawmakers.

Defence policy in Europe has traditionally been the domain of national governments and NATO.

EU unveils €1.5 billion defence programme as Ukraine war persists

But following Russia’s attack on Ukraine and amid uncertainty over how much Europe will be able to rely on the United States for its protection should Donald Trump win the US presidential election in November, the European Commission is seeking to push more joint European defence projects.

Von der Leyen also pledged to stick to the goals set out in the European Green Deal, a climate package that was one of the main policies of her first term.

She promised a raft of climate policies including a legally binding EU target to cut emissions by 90 percent by 2040.

She also pledged new measures to help European industries stay competitive while they invest in curbing emissions.

(with newswires)

UK Opposition Leader Keir Starmer made a firm commitment on Thursday that a future Labour government under his leadership would maintain Britain’s adherence to the European Convention on Human Rights. He emphasized a more compassionate approach to addressing irregular migration issues.

This stance marks a clear departure from the previous Conservative government led by Rishi Sunak. Sunak had considered withdrawing from the convention, largely due to pressure from his party’s right wing. The former Prime Minister had argued against “foreign courts” interfering with Britain’s plans to deport migrants to Rwanda.

In a separate but related development, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed strong disapproval of any behind-the-scenes negotiations with Russia that exclude Ukraine. His comments came in response to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s recent meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Speaking at a summit held at Britain’s historic Blenheim Palace, Zelensky urged his European counterparts to maintain a united front in supporting Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression. The Ukrainian leader stressed the importance of solidarity among European nations in the face of the ongoing conflict.

Resetting relations

Starmer, who led Labour to a landslide election win over the Tories two weeks ago, has pledged to “reset” Britain’s relationship with European allies as they grapple with challenges ranging from supporting Kyiv after Russia’s invasion to breaking up people-smuggling gangs.

“The EPC [European Political Community] will fire the starting gun on this government’s new approach to Europe, one that will not just benefit us now, but for generations to come,” Starmer said before the one-day summit at the stately home near Oxford, southern England.

The EPC, a new ‘platform for political coordination‘ was initially proposed by French President Emmanuel Macron in June 2022.

It was meant to allow non-EU states, and specifically Ukraine, that was facing the Russian invasion since February of that year, to engage in closer cooperatoin with Brussels. 

The president of the European Council, Charles Michel, and European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, supported the proposal. The inaugural meeting of the EPC was held in Prague on 6 October. This ‘EU+ summit’ was hosted by the Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU and attended by representatives of 43 countries,  ie delegations from the EU-27, the Western Balkans and other countries, including the United Kingdom, Ukraine and Turkey.

• Macron’s European Political Community summit opens in Prague

Starmer will tell fellow leaders that the UK will take “a more active and greater convening role on the world stage, to strike genuine partnerships that have impact on people’s lives,” the government said.

He will also say that border security will be “at the heart of the government’s reset with Europe”.

(With newswires)

The 78-year-old former president commanded the stage for more than 90 minutes – well above average by convention standards – as he offered a deeply personal account of his near-death experience before pivoting to grievances over the Democrats’ handling of the economy, immigration and other issues.

“We will have an incredible victory, and we will begin the four greatest years in the history of our country,” Trump said at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

It was his first speech since a 20-year-old man shot at him, causing a wound to one ear and killing a bystander during a rally last weekend.

In an emotional retelling of the shooting, where Trump said he had “God on my side”, the ex-president asked for a moment of silence to honour the victim, firefighter Corey Comperatore.

Before a hushed crowd, he kissed the slain firefighter’s helmet on the stage.

“I’m not supposed to be here tonight,” Trump said quietly, prompting supporters to shout out “Yes you are!”

‘American apocalypse’

Minutes earlier Trump took the stage to chants of “USA” from a crowd which has spent the week talking of him in near-divine terms.

Warm-up acts included shirt-ripping 1980s wrestling icon Hulk Hogan and conspiracy theorist and far-right media guru Tucker Carlson, who described Trump’s survival as a historic moment.

But while the speech had been touted as the launch of a less abrasive, more unity-seeking Trump, he soon reverted to his familiar painting of America as an apocalyptic ruin that needs saving.

Promising to complete a wall on the US-Mexico border, he said an “invasion” of immigrants had brought “destruction” and “misery” to a “nation in decline”.

He vowed to end Biden’s massive spending on fighting climate change, calling it a “scam”.

Trump also reiterated his false claim that Democrats cheated in his defeat to Biden in the 2020 election.

And, despite aides promising that Trump would not even say Biden in the speech, Trump did refer to his opponent by name and “the damage” he has done.

• Trump to cap Republican National Convention with highly anticipated nomination speech

Trump flips the script

Despite a torrent of scandals, impeachment for his unprecedented attempt to overturn the 2020 election, and 34 felony convictions in May at a New York criminal trial, Trump is on the rise in polls ahead of November.

Now, with Republicans more in step behind him than ever, he is bullish about a shock return to power.

Attempting to flip the script on accusations he intends to rule as an authoritarian leader, Trump insisted that he is “the one saving democracy” and referred to his criminal investigations as “witch hunts.”

“We must not criminalise dissent,” he said.

• Trump makes triumphant appearance at party convention after shooting

Crisis in the Biden camp

Trump’s speech in Milwaukee contrasted with the crisis engulfing Biden.

The 81-year-old Democratic president looked close late Thursday to being forced by his own party to withdraw and make way for Vice President Kamala Harris or another candidate, as fears spiral that his faltering physical health will lead to a loss in November.

With Biden still reeling from the aftermath of his disastrous debate performance against Trump last month, polls show a gap gradually opening in the long-close race.

The Republican campaign has even been talking up Trump’s chances in Democratic strongholds like Minnesota and Virginia.

(with AFP)

As required by France’s constitution, the new parliament will hold its opening session on the second Thursday after elections concluded – which falls in this case on 18 July. 

The incoming assembly will be formally opened in a session presided over by its oldest member, 81-year-old José Gonzalez of the National Rally party, assisted by the six youngest MPs.

But tradition aside, the first session is far from a formality. 

It will see lawmakers elect the president of the assembly, the equivalent of a speaker of the house, who is charged with setting the agenda and running debates. 

An important role in any parliament, it’s especially so now – when the house is divided, a caretaker government is in charge and President Emmanuel Macron stands weakened.

What is France’s new caretaker government and what will it mean?

Open race

The vote to choose a speaker is “the first occasion to put the unity – or otherwise – of the various political groups to a full-scale test”, says political consultant Bernard Sananès, head of Elabe polling institute.

It will measure the balance of power between the four main blocs that emerged from the snap elections: the left-wing New Popular Front, Macron’s centrist alliance Ensemble, the far-right National Rally and the right-wing Republicans. No camp has enough seats for a majority.

Yet would-be speakers must be backed by an outright majority of MPs in the first two rounds of a secret ballot – failing which, the winner is whoever gets the most votes in a third round.

No front-runners have yet emerged to fill the post, which until now was occupied by Yaël Braun-Pivet of the president’s centrist coalition.

She is expected to stand to keep the post, but with Macron’s camp now only the second-largest bloc in the new parliament, she’s far from guaranteed the votes.

While the New Popular Front, the broad left-wing alliance that won the most seats in this month’s polls, has signalled it plans to put forward a single candidate, so far its various factions have failed to agree on a name.

That’s largely due to disagreements between hard-left France Unbowed, the largest party in the bloc, and the centre-left Socialist Party, its second-biggest faction.

“We’ll see whether they agree on a joint candidate, which has been floated but hasn’t materialised so far,” Sananès told RFI. 

“Everyone will be counting their troops and things may look a bit clearer, let’s hope, by the end of the week.”

Other top jobs up for grabs

The speaker’s chair isn’t the only one waiting to be filled. 

The president of the assembly shares leadership duties with six vice-presidents, 12 secretaries and three financial administrators, all of whom are due to be selected on 19 July. 

Each parliamentary group is entitled to propose candidates for the various roles, as well as for the chairs of eight standing parliamentary committees ranging from finance to foreign affairs, defence to culture.

Those posts will be filled on 20 July, and a battle is already taking shape over which groups will claim the plum roles.

Leaders on the left have called for the far right to be denied any positions of power within parliament, while some centrists say they’ll seek to block candidates from either the National Rally or France Unbowed.

That’s at odds with convention, by which the leadership of the National Assembly is typically drawn from a mix of parliamentary groups. 

The first vice-presidency and at least one financial administrator job traditionally go to members of the opposition, while rules expressly require that the opposition chairs the finance committee. Seats on the committees, meanwhile, are divided proportionally between groups.

With more than 140 seats, the National Rally heads the third-biggest group in the assembly and has already said it wants the top job on the finance committee.

French election leaves far-right National Rally down but not out

Leadership limbo

The tussle to fill parliamentary positions is set to crystallise the various allegiances that could end up determining who forms France’s next government.

The choice of a new prime minister lies with President Macron, who has indicated he wants to resolve the uncertainty as soon as possible.

With the Paris Olympics starting in little over a week, however, others say it’s not the time to rush into a handover.

The constitution requires parliament to sit for 15 days, taking the first session up to 2 August. After that it is not due to meet again until the beginning of October, raising the possibility that France could remain in limbo throughout the summer.

“The French public isn’t used to waiting so long to get a government,” says pollster Sananès. 

“Their votes sent a message that there are urgent matters to deal with, things they’re angry about. And so if we were to find ourselves not naming a government until the end of the summer as some suggest, even if you can understand it given the Olympics, French people may get increasingly impatient.”

Auradou, 20, and Jegou, 21, were arrested on 8 July in Buenos Aires as the France squad was on the verge of leaving for a match against Uruguay in Montevideo.

The woman accused them of raping her multiple times and beating her in a room at the Diplomatic Hotel in Mendoza, north-western Argentina.

Auradou and Jegou, who play for the French top flight sides Stade Palois and Stade Rochelais respectively, deny the accusation. They say they had consensual sexual relations with the woman.

“Given the level of evidence and the absence of procedural risk, it is possible to grant house arrest with personal bond for each of them,” said a spokesperson for the prosecutor’s office in Mendoza.

“In addition, they will both be fitted with electronic bracelets.”

The pair were charged with aggravated gang rape on 12 July. They face between eight and 20 years in prison if convicted.

Difference

On Tuesday, Florian Grill, the president of the French Rugby Federation, rejected suggestions that the tour of South America had been poorly managed.

“There is an extremely precise tour framework which has existed for years, based on autonomy and accountability,” said Grill.

“This framework was not respected by the players. It’s not the staff who are to blame.”

Auradou and Jegou’s alleged attack took place in the aftermath of the first Test against Argentina.

Both players had been called up to the senior squad after their stellar performances during France’s surge to the crown at the 2023 World Rugby under-20 Championship.

The pair each made their senior debuts in the 28-13 win at the Estadio Malvinas Argentinas.

The alleged attack was taking place in the same post-match haze during which full-back Melvyn Jaminet posted a message on social media containing a racist comment.

 “The first Arab I meet on the street, I’m going to head butt him,” said the 25-year-old who plays for the French side RC Toulon.

Apology

The video was picked up by La France insoumise politician Sébastien Delogu and widely shared on social media.

Though Jaminet has apologised, he faces an end to his international and domestic career after the emergence of the video.

Jaminet will face club bosses in Toulon next week to discuss his remarks.

Carlo Alberto Brusa, a lawyer for the 25-year-old, told the French newspaper Midi Olympique: “All his friends say Melvyn has black, Arab or Muslim friends. There is not an ounce of racism in Melvyn’s mind.

“If there was any hint of racism in my client, people would naturally have been talking about it since the video.”

However, even if Jaminet were to avoid severe domestic and international punishments, he is likely to face a changed environment around the France squad.

“We’re going to increase the penalties, which will now be financial but could go as far as temporary or permanent exclusion from the French teams,” Grill insisted.

“There will be zero tolerance. There will be a before and after Mendoza.”

International Mandela Day was first celebrated in 2010 as an opportunity to highlight the idea that everyone has the power to make a difference in the world – no matter how small their beginnings. 

The occasion is seen as a chance for people to do good in their communities, an effort that has particular resonance among South Africans this year, in the wake of tempestuous elections and political upheaval that has seen the ruling ANC humbled into forming a national unity coalition after 30 years of government control. 

• South Africa heads for coalition talks after ANC loses 30-year majority

Across South Africa, clean-up operations are usually the order of the day, where each person is expected to consecrate 67 minutes of their time for a good cause.

For example, in 2021 – following several days of looting across the country – clean-up operations were the obvious choice.

In Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal provinces, several communities came together to clear away businesses covered in debris and rubbish after being vandalised.

This year, Mandela Day falls on the eve of the opening of parliament by President Cyril Ramaphosa, to usher in the seventh post-apartheid administration.

The occasion will be unique, as Ramaphosa will be addressing the nation as a president of a government of national unity for the first time. 

• Ramaphosa re-elected as South African leader after historic coalition deal

The symbolism that Mandela Day and the 2024 parliamentary address coincide is not lost on South Africans, who are celebrating 30 years of democracy, but still face the challenges of poverty, unemployment and crime.

Armoured vehicles reportedly patrolled the area around the National Palace and other parts of Port-au-Prince on Wednesday with Kenyan forces and Haitian police on board.

Several loud bangs were heard as the vehicles passed by, although it remains unclear if they were shots fired by police or the armed gangs who control some 80 percent of the capital.

Prime Minister Gary Conille briefly spoke to the nation the same day, announcing that the authorities had declared a state of security emergency in 14 communes that are “under the control of gangs”.

This “will allow the government to have the necessary tools and instruments to act, confront the bandits and restore the authority of the state”, he said.

Shortly before the premier’s announcement, a government source told French news agency AFP that the communes in question were located in the country’s west and centre.

Conille said that he had authorised “the national police, the Haitian army and the Kenyan force to launch operations in the affected areas, based on the plans we have established”.

“The final objective is to take back all the areas that are controlled by the gangs, house by house, neighbourhood by neighbourhood and city by city.”

• 200 more Kenyan police officers deployed to tackle Haiti violence
• First contingent of Kenyan security forces leave for Haiti

International security mission

Kenya stepped up to lead the long-sought international force last year to help Haiti tackle its soaring insecurity.

The UN-backed mission – with an initial duration of one year – will total 2,500 personnel from countries that also include Bangladesh, Benin, Chad, the Bahamas and Barbados.

Kenya has now sent around 400 personnel to Haiti – 200 on 25 June and 200 on Tuesday – with promises of another 600 in the coming weeks.

The United States has ruled out sending forces, but is contributing funding and logistical support to the mission.

Haiti has long been wracked by gang violence, but conditions sharply worsened at the end of February when armed groups launched coordinated attacks in Port-au-Prince, saying they wanted to overthrow then prime minister Ariel Henry.

The violence in the Haitian capital has affected food security and humanitarian aid access, with much of the city in the hands of gangs accused of abuses including murder, rape, looting and kidnappings.

(with AFP)

“Our organisations celebrate the courage of the people who have given testimony and, through their words, allowed these facts to come to light. We believe them,” the organisations Emmaus and Fondation Abbé Pierre said in a joint statement about Henri Grouès, known as “Abbé Pierre”, who died in 2007 aged 94.

Independent report

The allegations are detailed in an independent report commissioned by the charities after a  claim that Grouès assaulted a woman.

“This work meant the testimonies of seven women could be gathered, attesting to behaviour that could be interpreted as sexual assault or sexual harassment,” between 1970 and 2005, the charities said.

One of the women “was underage at the time of the events”,  added.

A source at Emmaus said that no criminal complaint has so far been filed.

The bishop’s conference of France’s Catholic Church professed “deep compassion and shame that such acts could be committed by a priest” in a post to X.

Familiar face

Some 17 years after his death, Grouès’s gaunt, bearded features remain a familiar sight in posters in charity shops and in metro stations urging French citizens to think of the poor.

• French priest’s 1954 appeal to fight homelessness still topical 70 years on

He gave his inheritance away aged 18 to join the order of Capuchin monks, later becoming active in the Resistance to Nazi occupation and spending several post-war years as a member of parliament.

In 1949, he founded the Emmaus community that preaches self-help for excluded people, and which has since spread to dozens of countries.

He was also a backer of the Restos du coeur soup kitchens movement and attacked city governments for failing to lodge the homeless.

(with AFP)

Wearing goggles and a wet suit, Anne Hidalgo swam breaststroke before immersing her face and beginning a front crawl, covering around 100 metres up and downstream.

The 65-year-old city leader was joined by senior local officials and by Tony Estanguet, a triple Olympic gold medallist in canoeing who heads the organising committee (IOC) for the Paris Games, which open next week on 26 July.

“Today is a confirmation that we are exactly where we meant to be, ” Estanguet said. “We are now ready to organise the games in the Seine.”

Despite an investment of 1.4 billion euros to prevent sewage leaks into the waterway, the state of the Seine has brought suspense to the build-up to the Paris Games.

The Seine is set to be used for the swimming leg of the Olympics triathlon on 30-31 July and 5 August, as well as the open-water swimming on 8-9 August.

But since the beginning of July, with heavy rain finally giving way to sunnier weather, samples have shown the river to be ready for the open-water swimming and the triathlon.

“On the eve of the Games, when the Seine will play a key role, this event represents the demonstration of the efforts made by the city and the state to improve the quality of the Seine’s waters and the ecological state of the river,” Hidalgo’s office said on Tuesday.

Paris’s mayor had originally planned to swim last month, but had to delay because bacteria indicating the presence of faecal matter were found to be sometimes 10 times higher than authorised limits.

• Paris mayor to take a dip in the Seine the week of 15 July
• Seine water quality improves ahead of Paris Olympics, new tests show

(with newswires)

French football chiefs condemned the video that was posted by midfielder Enzo Fernandez following Sunday night’s 1-0 win over Colombia as racist and discriminatory and said they would lodge a complaint with Fifa.

“Fifa is aware of a video circulating on social media and the incident is being looked into,” a FIFA spokesperson said.

“Fifa strongly condemns any form of discrimination by anyone including players, fans and officials.”

Fernandez, who plays for Chelsea in the English Premier League, came under fire from French teammate Wesley Fofana who described the video as uninhibited racism.

Fernandez apologised on social media on Tuesday. He claimed he had lost his head amid the delight of the triumph which gave Argentina a 16th Copa America crown.

“The song includes highly offensive language and there is absolutely no excuse for these words,” the 23-year-old said.

“I stand against discrimination in all forms and apologise for getting caught up in the euphoria of our Copa America celebrations.

“That video, that moment, those words, do not reflect my beliefs or my character. I am truly sorry.”

On Wednesday, Chelsea’s bosses took to social media to assert the club’s stance on inclusivity.

“Chelsea Football Club finds all forms of discriminatory behaviour completely unacceptable,” it said.

“We are proud to be a diverse, inclusive club where people from all cultures, communities and identities feel welcome.”

Chelsea paid Benfica nearly 120 million euros in January 2023 for Fernandez who had starred during Argentina’s surge to glory at the World Cup.

He missed the final six games of the 2023/24 season following surgery at the end of April to correct an inguinal hernia.

Th operation gave him to recover fitness for the Copa America. 

Macron accepted Attal’s resignation after meeting the PM on Tuesday, the presidential office announced that evening.

Attal will head a government with restricted powers until a new premier is named.

The largest bloc in parliament, the left-wing New Popular Front, has so far failed to put forward a candidate for prime minister that all its members agree on.

Neither they nor any other group have a majority after snap legislative elections earlier this month. 

How did France get here?

The government’s departure became inevitable after the elections Macron called early left his party and its allies without enough seats in parliament to lead the country on their own.

Attal tendered his resignation the day after the final results were announced, at the beginning of last week, but the president asked him to stay on “for the time being” while negotiations over a new government proceeded.

With talks still in deadlock and the deadline for the new parliament to hold its first session fast approaching, the members of the cabinet who are also elected MPs needed to be formally released from their duties in order to participate in the various votes required to fill key parliamentary positions.

Those votes begin on Thursday, 18 July.

What are the next steps now France finds itself with a hung parliament?

To free up ministers to sit in parliament – something French laws on the separation of powers don’t usually allow – Macron opted to accept Attal’s resignation and effectively end his cabinet’s mandate too. 

But France still needs governing – not least with the Paris Olympics starting in 10 days.

Attal et al will therefore remain in place as caretakers.  

What is a caretaker government?

Such administrations are known in French as “resigning governments” or “governments of day-to-day affairs”.

Without a mandate to run the country, their role is to provide a minimum level of governance and deal with any emergencies that may arise.

“A resigning minister is no longer really a minister, they just act as one,” public law expert Benjamin Morel told Le Monde.

“They can’t do whatever they want, there are limits to their powers.”

What can it do?

Those limits aren’t clearly defined in French law. And since caretaker governments have been rare – and brief – in modern France, there isn’t much precedent to go on either.

The general principle is that a caretaker government shouldn’t introduce new bills or take any lasting decisions – nothing that permanently changes laws, services or rights.

Convention even has it that a temporary cabinet doesn’t hold meetings, according to Morel, since it isn’t its role to set policy.

Less female, older, split: What will France’s new parliament look like?

Instead it should handle the administration of existing policy, for instance issuing decrees to allow legislation already approved by the last parliament to take effect.

That changes in the event of an emergency, however. If there’s a terrorist attack, natural disaster or other urgent matter of national importance, a caretaker government has full powers to act, including declaring a state of emergency. 

If MPs object to its actions, they don’t have many options: they aren’t able to call a vote of no confidence and topple it, as they can with a regular government. 

However, the Council of State – the advisory body responsible for examining the legality of government acts – can challenge it if it believes it has overstepped its bounds.

How long will it stay in place?

France’s laws don’t set a deadline for choosing a new prime minister or forming a government.

On the few occasions in recent history the situation has arisen before, caretaker arrangements have stayed in place less than 10 days before a permanent solution was found.

But with parliament split three ways, no working majority in sight and negotiations between political factions still ongoing, the caretaker government could be leading France for some time.

“That poses a real democratic problem,” said Morel.

“We’re entering into a form of political uncertainty, because in general a government like this is only supposed to last a few days, a few weeks at most.” 

Metsola won a massive majority with 562 votes as the 720-seat parliament met for its first session in Strasbourg, France, with new MEPs.

Metsola belongs to the biggest political group in the European parliament, the conservative European People’s Party (EPP), and has been in the role since 2022.

“This must be a strong parliament in a strong union,” Metsola insisted.

“We must be the ones who push the legislation that our people want and need.”

She later vowed to address the problems facing EU citizens including Europe’s “looming” housing crisis and promised to implement “proper” migration legislation.

“We will leave Europe a better place by creating a new security and defense framework that keeps people safe,” Metsola said.

But all eyes will be on Thursday’s vote when lawmakers decide whether to give von der Leyen another five years as commission chief.

Since EU leaders struck a hard-fought deal on her candidacy in late June, von der Leyen has been scrambling to win over lawmakers in the main political groups.

It could be a tight race. The polyglot German won by only nine votes in 2019.

“She needs to walk a fine line to get the support of different groups in the European Parliament,” said Elizabeth Kuiper, associate director of the European Policy Centre think tank.

Von der Leyen must satisfy lawmakers who do not want the European Union to swerve from its focus on cutting carbon emissions to tackle climate change, while other MEPs want her to reduce the number of new environmental regulations.

The far right made significant gains in June elections in the 27-country bloc, although the centrist coalition made up of the EPP, the Socialists, Democrats and Liberals is still the largest.

• Far right to seek greater influence in EU parliament

Von der Leyen’s EPP is the biggest political group in the parliament, with 188 seats, and with its coalition partners in theory has the numbers to meet the 361-vote threshold, but several MEPs have said they will vote against her in the secret ballot.

New far-right group

A new group known as Patriots for Europe – created by Hungary’s president Orban and including France’s far-right National Rally (RN) – is now parliament’s third-biggest faction, vying for two vice-president spots as well.

• Le Pen and Orban forces unite in EU parliament forming new far-right bloc

That group includes controversial figures such as Italian general Roberto Vannacci, author of a book featuring homophobic, misogynistic and anti-migrant remarks.

The far-right Patriots are a red line for the centrist coalition.

“We don’t want these MEPs to represent the institution,” said EPP spokesman Pedro Lopez de Pablo, adding there were talks to stop the “extreme right and the friends of Putin” from gaining prominent positions.

Patriots MEPs could also be excluded from leading parliamentary committees next week.

Patriots spokesman, Alonso de Mendoza, argued that a “cordon sanitaire” employed by mainstream political parties to block the far right was “undemocratic”.

Analyst Kuiper said the “situation is still evolving”.

The refusal of some MEPs to cooperate with the far right and von der Leyen’s fate “are closely linked as several groups have flagged their opposition to support the radical right,” Kuiper said.

(with AFP)

On 17 July 2014, Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, a Boeing 777 traveling from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, was downed over eastern Ukraine by a Russian-made BUK surface-to-air missile.

The crash claimed all 298 lives on board, including 195 Dutch and 38 Australian citizens.

In commemoration of this tragedy, King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands is joining approximately 1,300 victims’ relatives at the National Monument MH17 near Vijfhuizen. The ceremony also includes Dutch government officials and representatives from Malaysia, Australia, the United Kingdom, Belgium, and Ukraine.

The ceremony is taking place at the National Monument MH17 near the town of Vijfhuizen.

On the tenth anniversary of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17’s downing, Australia reaffirmed its commitment to hold Russia accountable for the tragedy that claimed nearly 300 lives.

At a memorial service in Canberra’s parliament, Foreign Minister Penny Wong addressed bereaved families and officials, stating, “We will not waver in our resolve to ensure Russia faces consequences for this act.

• MH17 trial opens in the Netherlands

“I recommit our collective pursuit of truth, justice and accountability for the outrages perpetrated on the 17th of July, 2014,” she said.

“Grief never fully leaves us but time and love can lessen its weight.”

Names of the dead Australians were read out at the memorial service as family members placed golden flowers on a wreath, many pausing for a moment or wiping away tears.

A Dutch court has sentenced in absentia three men to life imprisonment for their roles in downing the plane over separatist-held pro-Russian territory during the early stages of a war that saw Moscow seize the Crimean peninsula.

Australia and the Netherlands have an ongoing case against Russia with the International Civil Aviation Organization, a United Nations agency with limited enforcement powers.

Russia has denied any involvement in the incident.

(with newswires)

The deployment comes after the East African nation sent some 400 officers to the violence-ravaged Haitian capital Port-au-Prince in June, part of a controversial offer to send some 1,000 police to help stabilise the country.

The promise – made by embattled President William Ruto, who is trying to calm roiling anti-government protests at home – has run into persistent legal challenges in Kenya.

“We have 200 police officers who left last night, they should land in their destination of Haiti this morning,” one senior police officer told French news agency AFP on Tuesday. “They are joining their colleagues who are already on the ground.”

2,500 police officers expected

Another senior police source confirmed that the officers had left on Monday night, travelling by chartered plane, adding: “More will be departing soon until we have all the 1,000.”

The East African nation is leading a force expected to number a total of some 2,500 personnel.

Other countries, mostly in Africa and the Caribbean, are also contributing to the mission, which is blessed but not managed by the United Nations.

• First contingent of Kenyan security forces leave for Haiti

On 1 July, Kenya’s National Police Service issued a statement to scotch rumours that seven officers had been killed in Haiti.

The forces deployed had been “received warmly”, and were “all safe and ready to discharge their clear and specific mandate,” it said.

They were “working closely with their host, the Haitian National Police, and have so far undertaken strategic mapping of the likely areas of operational concerns and conducted several joint patrols within Port-au-Prince”.

Concerns about Haiti mission

The deployment was approved by a UN Security Council resolution in October, only to be delayed by a Kenyan court decision in January that ruled it unconstitutional.

• Kenya confirms security mission to Haiti as transitional administration plans collapse

The court said Ruto’s administration had no authority to send officers abroad without a prior bilateral agreement.

While the government secured that agreement with Haiti in March, a small opposition party, Thirdway Alliance Kenya, has filed a fresh lawsuit in another attempt to block it.

The United States had been eagerly seeking a country to lead the mission and is supplying funding and logistical support.

But President Joe Biden flatly ruled out US boots on the ground in Haiti – the poorest nation in the Americas, where Washington has a history of intervention.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has raised concerns about the Haiti mission and doubts over its funding, while watchdogs have repeatedly accused Kenyan police of using excessive force and carrying out unlawful killings.

Haiti has long been rocked by gang violence, but conditions sharply worsened at the end of February when armed groups launched coordinated attacks in Port-au-Prince, saying they wanted to overthrow then-prime minister Ariel Henry.

The violence in Port-au-Prince has affected food security and humanitarian aid access, with much of the city in the hands of gangs accused of abuses including murder, rape, looting and kidnappings.

(with AFP)

Tuesday will be the first day that French MEP Jordan Bardella, the 28-year-old leader of Marine Le Pen‘s National Rally (RN) party, will head the newly formed Patriots for Europe group in the European Parliament.

After elections in early June, this new faction, comprising 84 members from 12 countries with the RN contributing the largest share of 30 MEPs, surpassed Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni‘s far-right bloc and became the third-largest group in the European Parliament.

Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has outraged his EU counterparts by visiting Russia and China, was due to address the parliament but his speech was postponed, officially because of a busy voting schedule. Hungary is currently heading the EU presidency.

• Le Pen and Orban forces unite in EU parliament forming new far-right bloc

Tensions are high in Europe as the 720 lawmakers start their five-year term, with current European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s future on the line.

As war rages on Europe’s doorstep, the bloc faces multiple challenges including a stagnant economy and growing global uncertainty, which the leaders will have to confront head-on after their election.

MEPs will vote on Tuesday for the president of the parliament based in Strasbourg, France, with the current speaker, 45-year-old Maltese conservative Roberta Metsola, expected to win another two-and-a-half-year mandate.

But all eyes will be on Thursday’s vote when lawmakers decide whether to give von der Leyen another five years as commission chief.

Since EU leaders struck a hard-fought deal on her candidacy in late June, von der Leyen has been scrambling to win over lawmakers in the main political groups.

It could be a tight race. The polyglot German won by only nine votes in 2019.

“She needs to walk a fine line to get the support of different groups in the European Parliament,” said Elizabeth Kuiper, associate director of the European Policy Centre think tank.

Von der Leyen must satisfy lawmakers who do not want the European Union to swerve from its focus on cutting carbon emissions to tackle climate change, while other MEPs want her to reduce the number of new environmental regulations.

(With newswires)

Kagame’s opponents — Frank Habineza of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda and independent candidate Philippe Mpayimana — were collectively getting under one percent of the vote in provisional results.

The result mirrored the outcome in 2017, when Kagame took nearly 99% of the vote.

Final results are expected by  27 July, although they could be announced sooner.

The 66-year-old Kagame, who has held power since the end of the country’s genocide in 1994, was running virtually unopposed. Two of his stronger critics were blocked from running for high office.

Thirty years of reconstruction

This election was really “about how far Rwanda has come since the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi,” Phil Clark, a professor of international politics at SOAS University of London, told RFI English’s podcast ‘Spotlight on Africa‘. 

“If you look at the way that Kagame and the Rwandan Patriotic Front, the ruling party, have been campaigning for this election, it’s very much been on their record in helping to rebuild the country after the genocide.”

During the campaign, the party talked about the country’s economic growth and development, the peace and stability that Rwanda has experienced since the genocide as well as issues of of reconciliation and social cohesion.

“They’re seeing it very much as an election on Kagame’s record in terms of rebuilding the country after the genocide,” Clark said. “That’s a message that’s been pushed by the ruling party.”

“Yet, there are two big parts to the Rwandan story,” he added. “The first one is a story of amazing recovery since the genocide, particularly in economic and social terms, and at a country that is now very peaceful and stable.”

But the other dimension of Rwanda is that this is still a very repressive state.

“This is still a very controlling government. And you can see that even in this election, several potential presidential candidates have been excluded from the vote,” he said.

Only two candidates were approved by the state-run electoral commission to run against him. 

The candidacies of others, including Kagame’s most vocal critics like Victoire Ingabire, were invalidated for various reasons, including prior criminal convictions.

• Rwandan opposition leader asks court to restore her civic rights

There was “absolutely no question at all that Kagame and the RPF would win”, Clark said, “because the election has been controlled in such a way as to guarantee that outcome.”

Engulfed in the DRC’s conflict

Currently, the most significant challenge for Rwanda is the situation in eastern Congo (DRC). This issue is a major concern not only for the broader region but also for all of Rwanda’s international partners.

“The conflict in eastern Congo is on a knife’s edge,” Clark adds, “with many observers predicting that we could see a regional war in the coming months if the situation is not de-escalated.”

Once this election is out of the way, the big question is whether regional partners can find a peaceful way from the brink of something that could be truly horrific.”

The greatest challenge that Kagame will face after this election is whether he can be part of a peaceful mediation to try to finally bring some peace and stability to eastern DRC.

The deal “was finalised today [Tuesday] between three representative unions and ADP management,” said the airport company, which is 50.6-percent controlled by the French state.

“We’re lifting the strike warning, there’s a majority deal” among unions who threatened the walkout, said Rachid Eddaidj, secretary general of the CFDT union’s branch at Paris Airports (ADP).

Unions had called for a stoppage on Wednesday to press for bigger Olympics bonuses and staff recruitment.

Olympic bonuses

They have now secured a “standardised bonus for every worker at ADP” as well as extras for those helping with Olympic delegations and their baggage, management said.

• Paris airports labour dispute threatens Olympics arrivals

Along with Paris’ train stations, ADP-operated Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports will be the main gateways into France for foreign visitors to the Olympics, as well as athletes and their equipment.

The company has spent 50 million euros upgrading its infrastructure and French authorities are deploying extra resources to make the experience as smooth and safe as possible.

Charles de Gaulle is expecting peaks of 300,000 travellers passing through in a single day, well above the summer daily average of 200,000.

The busiest days are expected to come after the Olympics closing ceremony on 11 August when spectators, officials and most of the 10,000 athletes will head home.

Erdogan’s call for talks comes after widespread riots against Syrian refugees in Turkish cities. He aims to facilitate the return of Syrians who have fled to Turkey since the Syrian civil war began in 2011.

Soli Ozel, an international relations expert at Istanbul’s Kadir Has University, says the situation is volatile.

“The country is like a tinderbox regarding refugees, especially as economic conditions deteriorate. Syrians have become easy scapegoats, and there’s widespread frustration with their presence, justified or not. This has become a significant political issue,” Ozel said.

He also stresses that key to any solution is a credible plan for the orderly departure of Syrian refugees to reassure the Turkish public.

Erdogan’s party suffered losses in local elections in March, largely due to growing hostility towards over three million Syrian refugees in Turkey and rampant inflation approaching triple digits. These factors have intensified pressure on Erdogan to address the refugee situation.

• Turkey vows to keep borders shut despite new exodus of Syrians

Russia’s position

Russia, under Putin, supports Erdogan’s diplomatic outreach, seeing it as a potential end to Turkish backing of Syrian rebels and a conclusion to the civil war.

This aligns with Moscow’s priorities, since resolving the Syrian conflict would allow Russia to redirect military resources to Ukraine.

However, Turkey’s extensive military presence in Syria complicates potential talks. Turkish forces are engaged in operations against Kurdish groups, which Ankara claims are linked to domestic separatists. The Turkish military also protects Syrian rebel forces along the border.

Aydin Selcen, a former Turkish diplomat and now a foreign policy analyst with Medyascope, suggests that Ankara’s willingness to negotiate could provide Syria with an opportunity to secure Turkish withdrawal.

“Assad relies heavily on external support and even internal factions” he said.

“Unable to forcibly remove Turkish troops, Assad’s only option is to request their withdrawal as a precondition for talks.”

Despite this, Erdogan insists on maintaining Turkey’s military presence until Syria can effectively secure its borders.

Sinan Ulgen of the Istanbul-based Center for Economics and Foreign Policy Studies said: “Turkey’s primary concern is preventing the border region from becoming a security threat post-withdrawal. Turkey needs assurances from Syria before considering troop removal.”

• Turkey’s Syrian refugees face local hostility as economic problems mount

Humanitarian crisis?

The news of Erdogan’s pursuit of dialogue with Damascus sparked unrest in rebel-held northeast Syria, with protesters targeting Turkish bases out of fear of potential abandonment by Ankara.

Erdogan maintains that any agreement with Damascus would safeguard returning Syrian refugees and rebels. However, Fabrice Balanche, a regional expert from Lyon University, warns of an impending humanitarian crisis.

“If the regime regains control of rebel areas, most residents will attempt to flee to Turkey. Turkey cannot accommodate four million additional refugees,” Balanche cautions.

“These people are acutely aware that remaining under regime control, even with promised amnesties, puts them at risk of targeting by security forces, conscription, or worse. There’s no real protection.”

Despite ongoing tensions in Turkey over the Syrian refugee presence, Erdogan is seeking Putin’s assistance to soften Assad’s stance on negotiations.

The Turkish leader has proposed hosting a trilateral summit this summer, though there’s been no positive response so far.

The current situation highlights the complex interplay of regional politics, humanitarian concerns and diplomatic manoeuvering in addressing the Syrian conflict and its far-reaching consequences.

• Syria’s Assyrians flee to Turkey

Hello everyone! Welcome to The Sound Kitchen weekly podcast, published every Saturday – here on our website, or wherever you get your podcasts. You’ll hear the winner’s names announced and the week’s quiz question, along with all the other ingredients you’ve grown accustomed to: your letters and essays, “On This Day”, quirky facts and news, interviews, and great music … so be sure and listen every week.

Erwan and I are busy cooking up special shows with your music requests, so get them in! Send your music requests to thesoundkitchen@rfi.fr – tell us why you like the piece of music, too – it makes it more interesting for us all!

The ePOP video competition is open!

The ePOP video competition is sponsored by the RFI department “Planète Radio”, whose mission is to give a voice to the voiceless. ePOP focuses on the environment, and how climate change has affected “ordinary” people. You are to create a three-minute video about climate change, the environment, pollution – told by the people it affects.

You do not need expensive video equipment to enter the competition. Your phone is fine. And you do not need to be a member of the RFI Clubs to enter – everyone is welcome. And by the way – the prizes are incredibly generous!

Go to the ePOP page to read about past competitions, watch past videos, and read the regulations for your entry.  You can also write to us at thesoundkitchen@rfi.fr, and we’ll forward your mail to Planète Radio.

The competition closes on 12 September, but you know how “time flies”, so get to work now! We expect to be bombarded with entries from the English speakers!

Facebook: Be sure to send your photos for the RFI English Listeners Forum banner to thesoundkitchen@rfi.fr

More tech news: Did you know we have a YouTube channel? Just go to YouTube and write RFI English in the search bar, and there we are! Be sure to subscribe to see all our videos.

Would you like to learn French? RFI is here to help you!

Our website “Le Français facile avec RFI”  has news broadcasts in slow, simple French, as well as bi-lingual radio dramas (with real actors!) and exercises to practice what you have heard.

Go to our website and get started! At the top of the page, click on “Test level”. According to your score, you’ll be counselled to the best-suited activities for your level.

Do not give up! As Lidwien van Dixhoorn, the head of “Le Français facile” service told me: “Bathe your ears in the sound of the language, and eventually, you’ll get it.” She should know – Lidwien is Dutch and came to France hardly able to say “bonjour” and now she heads this key RFI department – so stick with it!

Be sure you check out our wonderful podcasts!

In addition to the breaking news articles on our site with in-depth analysis of current affairs in France and across the globe, we have several podcasts that will leave you hungry for more.

There’s Paris Perspective, Spotlight on France, Spotlight on Africa, and of course, The Sound Kitchen. We have an award-winning bilingual series – an old-time radio show, with actors (!) to help you learn French, called Les voisins du 12 bis. And there is the excellent International Report, too.

As you see, sound is still quite present in the RFI English service. Keep checking our website for updates on the latest from our staff of journalists. You never know what we’ll surprise you with!

To listen to our podcasts from your PC, go to our website; you’ll see “Podcasts” at the top of the page. You can either listen directly or subscribe and receive them directly on your mobile phone.

To listen to our podcasts from your mobile phone, slide through the tabs just under the lead article (the first tab is “Headline News”) until you see “Podcasts”, and choose your show. 

Teachers take note! I save postcards and stamps from all over the world to send to you for your students. If you would like stamps and postcards for your students, just write and let me know. The address is english.service@rfi.fr  If you would like to donate stamps and postcards, feel free! Our address is listed below. 

Another idea for your students: Br. Gerald Muller, my beloved music teacher from St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas, has been writing books for young adults in his retirement – and they are free! There is a volume of biographies of painters and musicians called Gentle Giants, and an excellent biography of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, too. They are also a good way to help you improve your English – that’s how I worked on my French, reading books that were meant for young readers – and I guarantee you, it’s a good method for improving your language skills. To get Br. Gerald’s free books, click here.

Independent RFI English Clubs: Be sure to always include Audrey Iattoni (audrey.iattoni@rfi.fr) from our Listener Relations department in your RFI Club correspondence. Remember to copy me (thesoundkitchen@rfi.fr) when you write to her so that I know what is going on, too. NB: You do not need to send her your quiz answers! Email overload!

We have a new RFI Listeners Club member to welcome: Tahmidul Alam Orin from Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Welcome,Tahmidul! So glad you have joined us!

You too can be a member of the RFI Listeners Club – just write to me at english.service@rfi.fr and tell me you want to join, and I’ll send you a membership number. It’s that easy. When you win a Sound Kitchen quiz as an RFI Listeners Club member, you’ll receive a premium prize.

This week’s quiz: On 15 June, I asked you a question about the European Parliament elections, where the far-right National Rally party trounced President Macron’s centrist bloc. Macron then preceded to dissolve and call snap elections for France’s lower house of Parliament, which was a surprise to us all – even his Prime Minister, Gabriel Attal, it seems.

You were to refer to Jessica Phelan’s article “Why did Macron call snap elections and what does it mean for France?”, and send in the answer to this question: What percentage of the votes did Marine Le Pen’s National Rally party win, and what percentage of the votes did Macron’s centrist bloc win in the European Parliament elections?

The answer is, to quote Jessica’s article: “With 31.4 percent of the vote to the Macronists’ 14.6 percent, National Rally leader Jordan Bardella called the results a “stinging rejection” of the president.”

In addition to the quiz question, there was the bonus question, suggested by Father Steven Wara from Bamenda, Cameroon: “What do you do to help others have a secure and happy life?”   

Do you have a bonus question idea? Send it to us!

The winners are: RFI Listeners Club member Jayanta Chakrabarty from New Delhi, India. Jayanta is also this week’s bonus question winner. Congratulations, Jayanta!

Also on the list of lucky winners this week are two RFI Listeners Club members from Dhaka, Bangladesh: Monzurul Alam Ripon and Atikul Islam, who is also the president of the Narshunda Radio Listeners Family Club, and hailing from Hedehusene, Denmark, Hans Verner Lollike.

Last but not least, there’s RFI English listener Nizhom Yeasmin Kona from Naogaon, Bangladesh.

Congratulations, winners!

Here’s the music you heard on this week’s programme: The James Bond Theme written by David Arnold; “The Flight of the Bumblebee” by Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov; “The Cakewalk” from Children’s Corner by Claude Debussy, performed by the composer; “I Love to Laugh” from the film Mary Poppins, music and lyrics written by Richard M. and Robert B. Sherman with George Stiles, and sung by Ed Wynn, Julie Andrews, and Dick Van Dyke, and John Coltrane’s “Naima”, performed by Eric Dolphy.

Do you have a music request? Send it to thesoundkitchen@rfi.fr

This week’s question … you must listen to the show to participate. After you’ve listened to the show, re-read our article “What are the next steps now that France finds itself with a hung parliament?”, which will help you with the answer.

You have until 26 August to enter this week’s quiz. The winners will be announced on the 31 August podcast. When you enter be sure to send your postal address with your answer, and if you have one, your RFI Listeners Club membership number.

Send your answers to:

english.service@rfi.fr

or

Susan Owensby

RFI – The Sound Kitchen

80, rue Camille Desmoulins

92130 Issy-les-Moulineaux

France

or

By text … You can also send your quiz answers to The Sound Kitchen mobile phone. Dial your country’s international access code, or “ + ”, then  33 6 31 12 96 82. Don’t forget to include your mailing address in your text – and if you have one, your RFI Listeners Club membership number.

To find out how you can win a special Sound Kitchen prize, click here.

To find out how you can become a member of the RFI Listeners Club, or form your own official RFI Club, click here. 

Rwandans will cast their ballots on Monday in an election where President Paul Kagame is expected to secure another term, facing the same opponents he defeated in 2017.

Kagame, who has effectively led Rwanda since the 1994 genocide, confronts challenges from two other candidates: Frank Habineza of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda (DGPR) and independent candidate Philippe Mpayimana.

The 66-year-old incumbent is lauded for steering Rwanda’s economic resurgence post-genocide, with GDP growth averaging 7.2 percent from 2012 to 2022. However, his administration faces criticism for suppressing political dissent domestically and alleged involvement in neighbouring Congo’s conflicts.

Kagame’s previous electoral victories have been overwhelming, securing over 93 percent of votes in 2003, 2010, and 2017, with his last win nearing an unprecedented 99 percent.

In contrast, his current rivals Habineza and Mpayimana garnered less than one percent each in the previous election.

Rwanda’s National Electoral Commission received a total of nine presidential candidacy applications. 

Phil Clark, Professor of International Politics at the School of Oriental and African Studies, SOAS University of London talks to Spotlight on Africa about what’s at stake in the election.

Episode mixed by Nicolas Doreau.

Spotlight on Africa is a podcast from Radio France Internationale. 

The recent Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in Almaty, Kazakhstan, provided a platform for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin to meet in person.

Their encounter was marked by a display of cordiality, with both leaders appearing at ease and Putin emphasizing the significance of their bilateral relationship.

Active engagement

Putin, standing alongside Erdogan, stated, “We continue to actively engage on crucial matters of international politics.” He further added, “Our communication is constant, and our respective ministries and departments regularly share information and align our stances on key issues.” Erdogan was observed nodding in agreement with these remarks.

• Turkey set on rebuilding bridges with China to improve trade
• How Turkey’s support for Ukraine is a double-edged sword

According to reports, a notable topic on the leaders’ agenda was Turkey’s aspiration to join BRICS, an economic alliance comprising Russia, China, and several nations from Asia, Africa, and South America. This potential membership represents a significant shift in Turkey’s international alignments.

Atilla Yesilada, a Turkey analyst at GlobalSource Partners, explains, “A core principle of BRICS is reducing the dollar’s role in mutual trade, which aligns with Turkey’s interests.” He argues that BRICS membership complements Turkey’s broader foreign policy objectives, stating, “The concept of a new platform fostering trade among geographically distant countries naturally appeals to Turkey and fits its foreign policy stance.”

Yesilada suggests that Turkey’s BRICS bid serves an additional purpose: “It signals to Putin that Turkey intends to maintain and strengthen its growing commercial ties with Russia.” This comes despite Putin’s recent cautions to Turkey regarding its efforts to improve relations with its traditional Western allies.

The Russian leader strongly supports Turkey’s BRICS membership bid. Ceren Ergenc, a China specialist at the Centre for European Policy Studies, posits that Moscow views Turkey’s potential BRICS membership as a strategic move to balance Beijing’s increasing influence within the group.

Turikey and BRICS

Putin strongly supports Turkey’s BRICS membership bid. Ceren Ergenc, a China specialist at the Centre for European Policy Studies, suggests this support is part of Moscow’s strategy to counterbalance Beijing‘s growing influence within BRICS.

Ergenc explains, “BRICS has become China’s domain, with recent membership invitations primarily extended to countries China seeks closer ties with, effectively sidelining Russia and India as the group’s other major powers.”

Turkey’s pursuit of BRICS membership coincides with its stalled EU accession process, hampered by Turkey’s non-compliance with the EU’s Copenhagen Criteria on human rights. This impasse is reportedly affecting Turkey’s trade relations with the EU. Atilla Yesilada, a Turkey analyst, notes, “Erdogan’s frustration with the EU’s lack of progress on Turkey’s accession and customs union update contributed to the BRICS bid.”

However, Yesilada argues that Turkey’s interest in BRICS transcends Erdogan’s presidency, reflecting a broader foreign policy strategy. He states, “This aligns with Turkey’s overarching policy goal, widely supported by the country’s policy establishment, of maintaining independence from any single political bloc, be it Western or Eastern.”

As Erdogan prepares to attend the NATO summit in Washington, where he’s expected to reaffirm Turkey’s Western security commitments, analysts view the BRICS bid as a clear indication that Ankara is diversifying its international partnerships beyond its traditional Western allies.

Hello everyone! Welcome to The Sound Kitchen weekly podcast, published every Saturday – here on our website, or wherever you get your podcasts. You’ll hear the winner’s names announced and the week’s quiz question, along with all the other ingredients you’ve grown accustomed to: your letters and essays, “On This Day”, quirky facts and news, interviews, and great music … so be sure and listen every week.

Erwan and I are busy cooking up special shows with your music requests, so get them in! Send your music requests to thesoundkitchen@rfi.fr – tell us why you like the piece of music, too – it makes it more interesting for us all!

The ePOP video competition is open!

The ePOP video competition is sponsored by the RFI department “Planète Radio”, whose mission is to give a voice to the voiceless. ePOP focuses on the environment, and how climate change has affected “ordinary” people. You are to create a three-minute video about climate change, the environment, pollution – told by the people it affects.

You do not need expensive video equipment to enter the competition. Your phone is fine. And you do not need to be a member of the RFI Clubs to enter – everyone is welcome. And by the way – the prizes are incredibly generous!

Go to the ePOP page to read about past competitions, watch past videos, and read the regulations for your entry.  You can also write to us at thesoundkitchen@rfi.fr, and we’ll forward your mail to Planète Radio.

The competition closes on 12 September, but you know how “time flies”, so get to work now! We expect to be bombarded with entries from the English speakers!

Facebook: Be sure to send your photos for the RFI English Listeners Forum banner to thesoundkitchen@rfi.fr

More tech news: Did you know we have a YouTube channel? Just go to YouTube and write RFI English in the search bar, and there we are! Be sure to subscribe to see all our videos.

Would you like to learn French? RFI is here to help you!

Our website “Le Français facile avec RFI”  has news broadcasts in slow, simple French, as well as bi-lingual radio dramas (with real actors!) and exercises to practice what you have heard.

Go to our website and get started! At the top of the page, click on “Test level”. According to your score, you’ll be counselled to the best-suited activities for your level.

Do not give up! As Lidwien van Dixhoorn, the head of “Le Français facile” service told me: “Bathe your ears in the sound of the language, and eventually, you’ll get it.” She should know – Lidwien is Dutch and came to France hardly able to say “bonjour” and now she heads this key RFI department – so stick with it!

Be sure you check out our wonderful podcasts!

In addition to the breaking news articles on our site with in-depth analysis of current affairs in France and across the globe, we have several podcasts that will leave you hungry for more.

There’s Paris Perspective, Spotlight on France, Spotlight on Africa, and of course, The Sound Kitchen. We have an award-winning bilingual series – an old-time radio show, with actors (!) to help you learn French, called Les voisins du 12 bis. And there is the excellent International Report, too.

As you see, sound is still quite present in the RFI English service. Keep checking our website for updates on the latest from our staff of journalists. You never know what we’ll surprise you with!

To listen to our podcasts from your PC, go to our website; you’ll see “Podcasts” at the top of the page. You can either listen directly or subscribe and receive them directly on your mobile phone.

To listen to our podcasts from your mobile phone, slide through the tabs just under the lead article (the first tab is “Headline News”) until you see “Podcasts”, and choose your show. 

Teachers take note! I save postcards and stamps from all over the world to send to you for your students. If you would like stamps and postcards for your students, just write and let me know. The address is english.service@rfi.fr  If you would like to donate stamps and postcards, feel free! Our address is listed below. 

Another idea for your students: Br. Gerald Muller, my beloved music teacher from St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas, has been writing books for young adults in his retirement – and they are free! There is a volume of biographies of painters and musicians called Gentle Giants, and an excellent biography of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, too. They are also a good way to help you improve your English – that’s how I worked on my French, reading books that were meant for young readers – and I guarantee you, it’s a good method for improving your language skills. To get Br. Gerald’s free books, click here.

Independent RFI English Clubs: Be sure to always include Audrey Iattoni (audrey.iattoni@rfi.fr) from our Listener Relations department in your RFI Club correspondence. Remember to copy me (thesoundkitchen@rfi.fr) when you write to her so that I know what is going on, too. NB: You do not need to send her your quiz answers! Email overload!

We have a new RFI Listeners Club member to welcome: Tahmidul Alam Orin from Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Welcome,Tahmidul! So glad you have joined us!

You too can be a member of the RFI Listeners Club – just write to me at english.service@rfi.fr and tell me you want to join, and I’ll send you a membership number. It’s that easy. When you win a Sound Kitchen quiz as an RFI Listeners Club member, you’ll receive a premium prize.

This week’s quiz: On 8 June, I asked you a question about an article we had written earlier that week about the 35th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square crackdown in Beijing, China. On 4 June 1989, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army broke up protests by pro-democracy students in the Square. According to various reports, anywhere from hundreds to thousands of students were killed.

One of the student leaders, Wang Dan, after two periods of imprisonment in China, was allowed to emigrate to the US. He currently lives in San Francisco, where he leads the Dialogue China think tank.

He was in Paris recently and came to RFI for an interview, which you read in our article “Tiananmen Square at 35: top Chinese dissident looks back”.

In the interview, we asked Wang Dan: “How did the 4th of June 1989 change China?”  What does he answer? That was your question.

The answer is, as Wang Dan explained: “June 4th is a turning point in China’s contemporary history. There are two Chinas: the China of before 1989 and the China of after. The main difference is [that] before 1989, the state and the society cooperated. That’s why we took to the streets: we as, a representative society, go to the street and ask to cooperate with the government to promote democracy. There’s no difference between “us”. We think we are all “us”. We all take responsibility for this country.

But after 1989, many Chinese people gave up on this idea. “You” are the government. “We” are the normal Chinese people. There’s no more “us”. It’s just “you” and “me”. After 1989, the Chinese people gave up the responsibility for the country’s future because they thought that they could not do anything and that it is the government’s responsibility to change China, not the people’s.” 

In addition to the quiz question, there was the bonus question: “What is the ideal human relationship?” It was suggested by Debashis Gope from West Bengal, India.

Do you have a bonus question idea? Send it to us!

The winners are: RFI Listeners Club member Karuna Kanta Pal from West Bengal, India. Congratulations, Karuna.   

Also on the list of lucky winners this week are Nafisa Khatun, the president of the RFI Mahila Shrota Sangha Club in West Bengal, India, and RFI Listeners Club member Kashif Khalil from Faisalabad, Pakistan.   

Last but not least, there are RFI English listeners John Yemi Sanday Turay from Freetown, Sierra Leone, and Rafiq Khondaker, the president of the Source of Knowledge Club in Naogaon, Bangladesh.

Here’s the music you heard on this week’s program: “Take the A Train” by Billy Strayhorn and Duke Ellington, performed by Duke Ellington and his orchestra; “El Bueno y El Malo” composed by and performed by the brothers Estevan and Alejandro Gutiérrez (Hermanos Gutiérrez); “The Flight of the Bumblebee” by Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov; “The Cakewalk” from Children’s Corner by Claude Debussy, performed by the composer; “Happy” by Pharrell Williams, and The Chairman Dances (Foxtrot for Orchestra) by John Adams, performed by Edo de Waart and the San Fransisco Symphony. 

Do you have a music request? Send it to thesoundkitchen@rfi.fr

This week’s question … you must listen to the show to participate. After you’ve listened to the show, re-read Jessica Phelan’s article: “The three-way factor that makes France’s election results so unusual”, which will help you with the answer.

You have until 19 August to enter this week’s quiz. The winners will be announced on the 24 August podcast. When you enter be sure to send your postal address with your answer, and if you have one, your RFI Listeners Club membership number.

Send your answers to:

english.service@rfi.fr

or

Susan Owensby

RFI – The Sound Kitchen

80, rue Camille Desmoulins

92130 Issy-les-Moulineaux

France

or

By text … You can also send your quiz answers to The Sound Kitchen mobile phone. Dial your country’s international access code, or “ + ”, then  33 6 31 12 96 82. Don’t forget to include your mailing address in your text – and if you have one, your RFI Listeners Club membership number.

To find out how you can win a special Sound Kitchen prize, click here.

To find out how you can become a member of the RFI Listeners Club, or form your own official RFI Club, click here. 

Keir Starmer has pledged to “make Brexit work” and seek “an ambitious” security pact with the the European Union.

But contrary to the hopes of many in the UK who may have hoped that London would return to the EU mainland fold, Labour is careful not to offend its pro-Brexit constituencies.

Over the years, especially in the north of England, many voters shifted to the pro-Brexit ideas of the Conservative party, afraid that EU immigrants would take away their jobs.

RFI talks to political scientist John Barry, of Queens University in Belfast, about how he thinks Brexit affected the UK economy, and if London will ever rejoin the common market.

This interview was carried out online.

Madhya Pradesh is often referred to as the Heart of India. Located right in the middle of the country, the Indian region shows everything India has to offer through its abundant diversity. The IFTM trade show, which took place in Paris at the end of September, presented the perfect opportunity for travel enthusiasts to discover the region.

Sheo Shekhar Shukla, Managing Director of Madhya Pradesh’s tourism board, sat down to explain his approach to sustainable tourism.

“Post-covid the whole world has known a shift in their approach when it comes to tourism. And all those discerning travelers want to have different kinds of experiences: something offbeat, something new, something which has not been explored before.”

Through its UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Shukla wants to showcase the deep history Madhya Pradesh has to offer.

“UNESCO is very actively supporting us and three of our sites are already World Heritage Sites. Sanchi is a very famous buddhist spiritual destination, Bhimbetka is a place where prehistoric rock shelters are still preserved, and Khajuraho is home to thousand year old temples with magnificent architecture.”

All in all, Shukla believes that there’s only one way forward for the industry: “Travelers must take sustainable tourism as a paradigm in order to take tourism to the next level.”

In partnership with Madhya Pradesh’s tourism board.

Also known as the Land of the Beautiful Islands, Malaysia’s landscape and cultural diversity is almost unmatched on the planet. Those qualities were all put on display at the Malaysian stand during the IFTM trade show.

Libra Hanif, director of Tourism Malaysia, explained the appeal of the country as well as the importance of promoting sustainable tourism today: “Sustainable travel is a major trend now, with the changes that are happening post-covid. People want to get close to nature, to get close to people. So Malaysia being a multicultural and diverse [country] with a lot of natural environments, we felt that it’s a good thing for us to promote Malaysia.”

Malaysia has also gained fame in recent years, through its numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites, which include Kinabalu Park and the Archaeological Heritage of the Lenggong Valley.

Green mobility has also become an integral part of tourism in Malaysia, with an increasing number of people using bikes to discover the country: “If you are a little more adventurous, we have the mountain back trails where you can cut across gazetted trails to see the natural attractions and the wildlife that we have in Malaysia,” says Hanif. “If you are not that adventurous, you’ll be looking for relaxing cycling. We also have countryside spots, where you can see all the scenery in a relaxing session.”

With more than 25,000 visitors at this IFTM trade show this year, Malaysia’s tourism board got to showcase the best the country and its people have to offer.

In partnership with Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board. For more information about Malaysia, click here.