France has acknowledged Morocco’s sovereignty over the disputed Western Sahara, marking a significant shift in its long-standing position. Meanwhile, the United Nations-mediated peace process remains at a standstill.

In a letter to Morocco’s King Mohammed VI, President Macron stated, “For France, autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty is the framework within which this issue must be resolved.”

He added, “Our support for the autonomy plan proposed by Morocco in 2007 is clear and unwavering. For France, this plan now represents the only basis for reaching a just, lasting, and negotiated political solution in line with United Nations Security Council resolutions.

According to a statement from the Moroccan Royal Cabinet, the French president sent this letter to Mohammed VI on the occasion of the Throne Day which marks the arrival in power of Mohammed VI, in 1999.

The Royal Palace in the statement welcomed the announcement and said it was a “significant development in support of Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara.”

Algeria said a few hours later that it is recalling its ambassador to France over Western Sahara rift.

“The Algerian diplomatic representation in France is now the responsibility of a charge d’affaires,” the Algerian foreign ministry was quoted as saying by the official Algerian news agency APS.

The ministry denounced Macron’s statement as a “step that no other French government had taken before.”

Disputed territory

The distue originated in 1975 between and involves Morocco,, which claims the Western Sahara as its territory, and the Polisario Front, backed by Algeria, which advocates for the region’s independence.

France, as the latest former colonial power in the region has long walked a diplomatic tightrope between Rabat and Algiers on the issue, but recently sent good signals to Morocco.

• France reiterates its support for Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara

Most of France’s Western allies already back Morocco’s plan.

Spain, which colonised Western Sahara for decades, publicly recognised the plan for Western Sahara put forward by Morocco in March 2022.

For Sarah Leah Whitson, the executive director of the DAWN think tank (Democracy for the Arab World Now), the recognition by France of Morocco’s annexation on Western Sahara undermines the rule of law, not only in North Africa but all over the world, including in Ukraine.

“The only way to resolve the conflict and territorial dispute would be the promised referendum,” she told RFI English.

“The annexation of Western Sahara is as illegal as the one of Crimea in Ukraine, or the annexation of Jerusalem by Israel. So, any decision from French President Macron to side with Rabat would cause harm with global implications,” she added.

“This recognition will only encourage the impunity of regimes like Russia and Israel. If even France must fall in line behind US diktat on Western Sahara, France’s own sovereignty has taken a hit.” 

She thinks that Macron should have ignored the pressure from Morocco, as the country has no major leverage on France.

Historical colonial dispute

Western Sahara has for long been designated by the UN as a “non-self-governing territory” whose people “have not yet attained a full measure of self-government”.

An armed conflict has opposed Morocco to the Sahrawi separatists of the Polisario Front in this vast desert territory bordering the Atlantic since 1975.

Polisario has been supported by Algeria, to where most Sahrawi refugees have fled.

Morocco controls 80 percent of the territory, while an area bordering Mauritania that is almost totally landlocked is run by the Polisario Front. 

Morocco’s interest in the land is in its fish-filled waters and significant phosphate reserves, but also and mostly on its historical claim regarding its  sovereignty over parts of the Sahara desert.

The territorial dispute dates back to colonial times, when Spain ruled over the actual Western Sahara and parts of Morocco, while France held the rest of North Africa including today’s Algeria and Tunisia.

• Extension of UN mandate in Western Sahara: the status quo or agreement in sight?

In its most recent report, the international Crisis Group said it regretted teh fact that the UN had not been able to bring all actors to the table and to find a peaceful, negotiated and democratic solution for the future of what the Polisario calls the last colonised part of Africa.

A UN-mediated Settlement Plan was put into place in 1991.

It included a ceasefire, a buffer zone that divided Western Sahara along the sand berm and provisions for a referendum on self-determination for the entire territory.

It also created a UN mission, MINURSO, to monitor the ceasefire and organise the referendum vote.

But the referendum never took place, and subsequent talks failed to make notable progress.

 (with newswires)

Skipper Jean-Philippe Mateta, Désiré Doué and Arnaud Kalimuendo scored for the hosts in Marseille on Tuesday night.

In the early match on Tuesday, Argentina sealed their spot in the knockout stages as runners-up in Group B following a 2-0 win over Ukraine in Lyon.

Thiago Almada gave Argentina the lead just after half-time and substitute Claudio Echeverri sealed their victory late on.

The clash between France and Argentina comes just two weeks after midfielder Enzo Fernandez posted a video on social media showing several Argentina players celebrating their Copa America success with a song chanted by diehard fans which spews racist and homophobic slurs about France players.

World football’s governing body Fifa announced an investigation into the abuse after the French football federation lodged a complaint.

“With everything that has happened recently, everyone in France was affected, so we will see what happens in the quarter-finals,” said Mateta.

Challenge

“Argentina are the reigning world champions and are a team who always get to the finals of tournaments,” he added. “But we will celebrate our victory first and then gently build up to that match.”

Morocco, who claimed Group B with a 3-0 cruise past Iraq in Nice, will take on the United States who finished behind France in Group A.

Egypt claimed top spot in Group C after overcoming Spain 2-1. The Africans will play Paraguay while Japan, the Group D victors, will face Spain.

Argentina are seeking a third men’s Olympic football gold medal after triumphs in 2004 and 2008. And they are likely to face a hostile reception at the match at the Matmut Atlantique

“We know what it means playing France but to get to the final we have to beat whoever is in front of us,” striker Julian Alvarez told broadcaster TyC Sports.

“We started with a defeat and were really angry about the first game but we have managed to bounce back.”

The Olympic judo events carry no such contingencies. They all take place indoors at the Champs de Mars Arena and then it’s unremitting strength, flexibility and patience.

Just a few hours after male triathletes had that virtue put to the test with the rescheduling until Wednesday of the swim in the Seine due its dirtiness, the male judoka weighing in at under 81kg and the women at less than 63kg, took their combat to the mat in a 10,000 square metre hangar that simultaneously projected the organisers’ grand vision of sustainability – it will be dismantled after the Olympic and Paralympic Games – and yet mocked the notion of environmental concern.

As temperatures soared to 34 degrees Celsius in Paris, air-conditioning turned the arena into a chill zone.

The perfect sanctuary from the ravages of the sun. A hot ticket then: comfort, entertainment, patriotic fervour and, for some, a place for consolation.

“We were supposed to go to the triathlon this morning,” said Gaetan Goueset as he emerged with his eight-year-old son, Nino, from a session in which French judoka Clarisse Agbegnenou had failed to retain the gold medal that she won in Tokyo in 2021.

Change

“We were at something of a loose end after the triathlon was cancelled,” added the 41-year-old social worker from Bordeaux.

“We arrived on Monday night so we could watch the triathlon … our train to go back home leaves first thing on Wednesday morning so we won’t get to see it.”

Despite the double whammy of disappointments, man and boy declared themselves happy with the day wandering around a few of the Olympic sites and then taking shelter in the cooled complex for the judo.

“It was about the right time to get out of the sun,” Goueset smiled. “It was good to see the sites … especially with Nino. The Olympics isn’t something that happens every day. And the judo was good. There was a wonderful atmosphere in the hall.

Disappointment

“We’re obviously a bit disappointed that Agbegnenou didn’t win gold but at least she got the bronze.”

 Andreja Leski, beaten by Agbegnenou at the world championships last year, scored the winning point with 15 seconds remaining.

“I was so upset after the loss,” said Agbegnenou. “I looked at my coach and he looked at me and told me I was not here. He told me to come back and get something.”

Agbegnenou dusted herself off and returned for the bronze medal match against Lubjana Piovesana.

The Austrian started their showdown at a feisty pace but in a slick swirling movement, Agbegnenou had her down to register ippon – both of Piovesana’s shoulders on the floor.

After defeating the holder, Leski went on to beat Prisca Awiti Alcaraz from Mexico to lift Slovenia’s first gold medal in Paris.

Japan’s Takanori Nagase claimed the men’s -81kg category and Tato Grigalashvili from Georgia collected the silver – the country’s first medal of the Paris Olympics.

His feats may well inspire young Georgian souls but one lad from Bordeaux remained distinctly unmoved.

“I get the impression that Nino won’t be taking up judo when we get back home,” said Goueset. 

“He says he’s going to stick with basketball.”

Smart kid. There’s no water involved.

Strong thunderstorms, heavy rain, hail and lightning were likely from 6:00 pm over the French capital, the weather service announced in a bulletin.

This could be accompanied by “intense precipitation (around 20mm to 40mm in less than an hour)” with the impact to be very localised and last until about midnight, the service said.

The storm alert comes as Paris swelters in heat forecast to reach 35 degrees Celsius on Tuesday as it hosts the fourth day of the Games.

The scorching temperatures will be keenly felt by Olympians competing in outdoor events including the beach volleyball at the Eiffel Tower and the women’s rugby semi-finals at the Stade de France.

Other cities in France hosting Olympic events have also been affected by a strong heatwave, with temperatures in some central and southern parts hitting 40C in recent days.

• Olympic men’s triathlon postponed to Wednesday due to Seine pollution

(With newswires)

Rush

There was interest in the match between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. it was their 60th meeting on the senior tour. And it came at the very venue where they played their first game – the Roland Garros stadium in Paris.

The first match was the quarter final at the 2006 French Open. Nadal won. Eighteen years later? Second round at the 2024 Olympics. And Djokovic claimed the spoils. That made it 31-29 to the Serb in the most enduring rivalry in the sport.

Waning

Whether there’ll be a 61st meeting between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal is very much up in the air. Nadal, 38, has been plagued by all kinds of injuries over the past two years and his ranking has fallen to 161 in the world. Djokovic, 37, rolls at number two. And Djokovic’s 6-1, 6-4 victory was logical. The Serb led 6-1, 4-1 with his service to follow but had a lapse in concentration to let Nadal back in. But once he refocused the gulf between the two was evident. 

Going great

Sarah-Léonie Cysique won bronze in the women’s -57kg. It goes with the Frenchwoman’s silver medal in the category from the Tokyo Games. There was also a gold medal in the mixed team event in Japan. “I obviously was going for gold,” said the 26-year-old of her run in Paris.

“But after I lost in the semi-finals I am happy that I was able to recover. For that I have to thank my coaches because if it had just been me I wold have gone off and sulked in the corner. But they asked me if I wanted to go home with nothing or a medal. Two medals from two Olympics isn’t bad is it?” And the review’s not about to argue with a top martial artist.

Smiling assassin

Clearly jollity is the best policy. Manon Apithy-Brunet burst into the arena for the final of the women’s sabre at the Grand Palais all smiles and waving arm – the other was clutching her weapon  – as the partisans cheered for the 28-year-old Frenchwoman. “It was so loud I just wanted to make the most of it and I was just smiling,” she explained.

Balzer entered to the same noisy acclaim but embraced it with an icy poise suggesting cold-blooded killer. Balzer, the world number two, never recovered from a slow start and Apithy-Brunet won the contest 15-12 to become the first Frenchwoman to claim the sabre gold since it was introduced at the Olympics in 2004.

Sacré bleu

Manon Apithy-Brunet impressed with her metaphysics, eloquence and diplomacy after joining Pascale Trinquet and Laura Flessel in the pantheon of Olympic gold medal-winning French female fencers. “For me, me and Sara won gold together,” she said. “Of course she has the silver medal and it’s different … but it’s France that won.” 

 In a blow to Olympic officials who have repeatedly vowed that the Seine would be safe for athletes to swim in, organisers said the men’s event would be delayed by 24 hours and take place immediately after the women’s race on Wednesday.

A joint statement from Paris 2024 and World Triathlon blamed the excessive pollution on the heavy rain that deluged the French capital on Friday and Saturday.

“Paris 2024 and World Triathlon reiterate that their priority is the health of the athletes,” the statement said after a meeting held at 3:30am local time (0130 GMT).

“The tests carried out in the Seine today revealed water quality levels that did not provide sufficient guarantees to allow the event to be held.

“Unfortunately, meteorological events beyond our control … can alter water quality and compel us to reschedule the event for health reasons.”

High rainfall

Organisers had already cancelled training sessions in the Seine scheduled for Sunday and Monday because of unsafe pollution levels caused by last week’s rain.

But they had expressed confidence that the pollution would drop in time for Tuesday’s race given the bright, sunny conditions in Paris this week which helps keep bacteria levels down.

French authorities have invested €1.4 billion euros ($1.5 billion) over the last decade to clean up the Seine, including in major new water treatment and storage facilities in and around Paris.

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo takes plunge in Seine, signalling river is ready for Olympic events

But heavy downpours still overwhelm the city’s underground drains and sewage system, leading to untreated effluent being released into the waterway.

After an exceptionally wet spring and start to summer, the Seine had been consistently failing water tests until the beginning of July, causing a major headache for Paris 2024 organisers.

Levels of the E.Coli bacteria – an indicator of faecal matter – were sometimes 10 times higher than authorised limits.

The triathlon is the first Olympic event scheduled to take place in the river, before marathon swimming in the second week of the Games.

(with AFP)

The 28-year-old, who claimed bronze in the sabre in Tokyo in 2021, overcame the world number two 15-12 in the final to become the first Frenchwoman to win the sabre title since it was introduced into the Olympics in 2004.

“I’m so happy, it’s something I’ve been dreaming of,” Apithy-Brunet told French broadcaster France Televisions.

Apithy-Brunet is only the third French female fencer after Pascale Trinquet and Laura Flessel to brandish an Olympic gold.

Her triumph yielded France with their fifth gold medal of the Olympics and with Balzer’s silver – the team’s eighth – it took the delegation’s haul up to 16 medals since competitions were officially launched on Saturday.

Success

Earlier on the third day of the Games, Nicolas Gestin won the canoe-kayak slalom.

The 24-year-old fnished ahead of Britain’s Adam Burgess and Matej Benus from Slovakia who took the bronze.

In the swimming pool at La Défense Arena, Tatjana Smith claimed the accolade of first African to win a gold medal in Paris.

The South African swimmer won the 100m breast stroke in 1 min, 05.28 seconds. Tang Qianting from China was second and Mona McSharry from Ireland was third to give her country its first swimming medal since the Atlanta Olympics in 1996.

“It is important to realise that between the first and the last torch, we went through a lot of adjustments,” Lehanneur told RFI.

He drew inspiration from three themes of Paris 2024: Equality, Water and Peacefulness.

Water, for example, inspired the waved base of the torch, which reproduces ripples and the reflections of light on water’s surface, according to Paris organisers.

An Olympic torch weighs 1.5 kg and measures 70 cm high and 3.5 cm in diameter.

To reduce the environmental footprint, the Paris 2024 Games produced fewer torches. 

There are only 2,000 torches, each manufactured by Arcelor Mittal: 1,500 for the Olympics and 500 for the Paralympics, each of which will be used around 10 times during the ceremonial relay through France and its overseas territories.

US rapper Snoop Dogg to carry Paris Olympic torch in final round before Games’ opening

Lit in accordance with ancient traditions by the rays of the sun in Olympia, Greece, the Olympic flame arrived in mainland France on 8 May after crossing the Mediterranean Sea.  

It was carried by Olympic champions young and old, famous sports personalities, amateur sportspeople and ordinary citizens over a four-month journey.

Champion French sprinter Marie-José Perec and judoka Teddy Riner carried the torch at the end of the relay on 26 July during the opening ceremony and lit the Olympic cauldron in the Tuileries Gardens.

The torch will be lit once again in Stoke Mandeville, a symbolic location of the Paralympic Games. 

A thousand torchbearers will carry a new flame as part of the relay, which will ignite the cauldron of the Paralympic Games during the opening ceremony on 28 August 2024.

This report is adapted from the 100% Création podcast in French produced by RFI’s Maria Afonso.

The Africa Station is a meeting place for African athletes competing at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, as well as for sports fans and journalists.

Situated on the small island of Île-Saint-Denis north of Paris, not far from the Stade de France, it hosts a sports club, Club 2024, and the African Station media hub.

Open to the public every day from 2pm Paris time, it includes a fan zone, as well as a conference hall, stalls, a food court and a stage for concerts and other performances.

There are stands with food and crafts from countries including Mali, Côte d’Ivoire, Morocco, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and a dozen other countries.

A feast for African countries

Many of the African athletes are expected to come after their competitions to meet the public and press, before joining an evening of festivities hosted by a different country each day.

On Thursday, the Algeria party attracted more than 5,000 people, while Liberia organised a concert which coincided with the national holiday of 26 July.

Who are the African athletes to watch out for at Paris Olympics?

“We want to say happy 26 to our country, as it’s our independence day!” Manseen Logan and Madeah Addy, from the Go Team Liberia organisation, told RFI.

“We have our concert here, our artists are here, Cyrus the Shield and Tootsie Deejay, and our producer, Ace Harris. And we’re here to promote Liberia.”

Meanwhile, Nadine Tshilombo, the manager of the DRC’s business zone, says the Africa Station is a great place to network.

“It is important for us to represent the DRC during the Olympic Games, make our country shine and offer business opportunities between the DRC and the rest of the world,” she told RFI.

Covering sports for Africans

A team of African journalists is also based at the station, covering the Olympic Games with the help of CFI, a French media development agency.

Fifteen journalists from 13 French-speaking African countries were invited to create a temporary editorial team to collaborate on multimedia content. 

“The idea is to produce 100 percent African content for our colleagues, for French-speaking African media who do not necessarily have the means to come here to France themselves to cover the Olympic Games,” said Togolese journalist Noel Tadegnon, head of the team.

“We operate like a traditional editorial team: we have an editorial conference and we try to assign the stories with different angles and everything.

“And then this content is put into production, which is then made available to French-speaking African media via a platform.”

Eritrea’s history-making cyclist Biniam Girmay sets sights on Paris Olympics

Thierry Vallat, CEO of CFI, says it’s a unique atmosphere – both friendly and professional.

“The journalists benefiting from the Paris Medias 2024 project will meet sportsmen and women from Africa, as well as all those who are interested in sport or subjects related to the continent.”

The Africa Station is open everyday until 11 August.

The French government warned, well ahead of the start of the Olympics, that transport in and around Paris would be complicated. They even developed an interactive website dedicated to planning travel during Paris 2024.

The city’s ring road, which is already maddening during normal rush hours, is even more congested because of priority Olympic lanes reserved for authorised vehicles only.

The Paris 2024 lanes also cover motorways and some roads within the city. All this, in order to enable athletes to reach competition venues within 30 minutes.

Meanwhile the price of single tickets on the Paris metro has practically doubled, and some travellers have found themselves shut out of certain zones because of security restrictions.

RFI met three people working in Paris but living outside the city. They each shared their experiences of getting around the city day to day.

Brahim Ben Ali, union representative

Brahim Ben Ali called Paris 2024 the “Games of shame”.

The union rep advocates for drivers of private hire cars as part of the Force Ouvrière confederation.

“The Olympics will be a social catastrophe. A colleague called me to say that she declaring bankruptcy because she can no longer access the hotels with which she had contracts,” he told RFI.

Private hire cars, which include ride-share services such as Uber and Bolt, are not allowed to use the priority Olympic lanes or to enter maximum security zones in Paris.

They are, however, allowed into areas under lower restrictions as long as their passengers have a valid QR code, and can pick up clients there if they show a booking to security forces.

Who needs QR Codes for getting around during Paris Olympics?

Dolores Bariteau, hairdresser

Dolores Bariteau loves the atmosphere the Olympic Games has brought to Paris.

“It is a party and such a pity that Parisians have fled the city. After all, it is a once-in-lifetime event to experience,” she said.

Transport-wise, Bariteau told RFI she cannot see much difference.

“I use either my car or public transport to come to work,” she said. “I have been using public transport more now because of the usual infuriating bottlenecks to access Paris.

“People in Paris are more pleasant these days. They feel safe as there are so many more police patrolling the city. It should be like that all the time.”

Hocine Atek, butcher

Hocine Atek does not want to experience another Olympic Games again.

“It is a nightmare to travel into town to my butchery shop and impossible for me to deliver restaurants because of the traffic jams and long detours,” he told RFI.

The bottlenecks brought on by the traffic restrictions around Olympic sites in the northern suburbs of Saint-Denis have exacerbated traffic congestion.

Atek said he has to wait until 10pm in his shop for traffic to ease so he can drive the usual 30 minutes to go back home.

“We thought that Paris 2024 would bring more tourists but I am down 30 percent in profits. A lot of my clients have left Paris and those who live outside the city do not want to endure the traffic jams.”

Mbappé, who joined Real Madrid from Paris Saint-Germain this summer, will spend €20 million to buy an 80 percent stake in the Normandy club Caen from American investors Oaktree, according to a report in Le Parisien published on Monday. 

“Barring a turn of events,” the daily reported, “Kylian Mbappé is set to become the majority shareholder of Stade Malherbe de Caen… within the next few hours.”

Pierre-Antoine Capton, chair of the club’s supervisory board, will hold the rest of the capital.

However, it will be Ziad Hammoud – former director of strategy and investment at beIN Media Group and currently managing director of the company that manages Kylian Mbappé’s image – who will reportedly take over the reins of the club, which was relegated to Ligue 2 in 2020.

• Mbappé says ‘dream has come true’ at Real Madrid inauguration
• France skipper Mbappé urges youths to vote in upcoming parliamentary elections

Mbappé almost joined Caen as a teenager before eventually signing for AC Monaco.

Established in 1913, Caen finished in sixth place in Ligue 2 last season.

The two-time Ligue 2 champions, whose former players include Mbappé’s France teammate N’Golo Kante and former defender William Gallas, start a new football season campaign by hosting Paris FC on 17 August.

Paris said it granted a “repayable advance” of 1.7 billion Pacific francs (€14.2 million) to Enercal, the main electricity provider of the New Caledonia.

“This exceptional aid will enable the company to ensure its operation and thus allow the supply of electricity in the coming months, while ongoing reforms ensure its sustainable operation,” according to France’s High Commission to New Caledonia said on Monday.

Enercal, whose principal shareholder is New Caledonia, posted a deficit of 18.9 billion francs (€150 million) on 30 June, according to a financial statement by the local government.

To ensure the continued operations of Enercal, the government of New Caledonia proposed last week an increase in the sale price of kilowatts between October 2024 and September 2026.

State aid package

This bill will be submitted to the Caledonian Congress for examination in the coming weeks.

It also states that the government will cover Enercal’s deficits during this transition period and settle the company’s debt between 2026 and 2029.

“This exceptional aid will enable the company to maintain its operations and ensure the supply of electricity in the coming months, while ongoing reforms are adopted to secure its sustainable operation,” according to the Outremers360 portal that provides news about France’s overseas territories.

The state aid announced on Monday is part of a total package of over 30 billion Pacific francs (€250 million), including 12 billion in the form of a repayable advance, as New Caledonia has been hit by riots that have largely destroyed the island’s economic fabric.

On May 13, massive rioting started against proposed reforms of the island group’s electoral body, costing the lives of ten people, including two police officers.

Damage caused by the riots amounted to an estimated €2.2 billion.

(With newswires)

Storied would be wry way to describe their journeys to Monday’s second round tie in the men’s singles competition at the 2024 Olympics.

Djokovic and Nadal have flourished to become the sport’s two most successful male players. 

Djokovic has won a record 24 Grand Slam tournaments – the most prestigious titles on the tour and a record 40 Masters crowns which carry only slightly less acclaim than the Grand Slam events. The Olympic gold medal though eludes the Serb.

Nadal went on to lift the French Open for the second year in a row after Djokovic pulled out of their first encounter.

Twelve more French Open championships have followed so too a few at the other Grand Slam competition venues in London, New York and Melbourne to take his tally to 22. Nadal also boasts the gold for Spain from the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

Such is his renown in Paris that Olympic opening ceremony directors invited him in for a cameo appearance to carry the Olympic torch at the end of the spectacle.

“I never thought back in 2006 that we’d still be playing each other almost 20 years later,” said Djokovic after their latest tussle.

Place

Fittingly, the 60th clash came on Court Philippe Chatrier – the birthplace of their rivalry at the Roland Garros stadium on the leafy western fringes of the capital.

Bright sunshine beamed into the combat zone. Fans a-fanning, shorts, T-shirts and heat.

It was precisely what the organisers ordered from the deities overseeing Olympic proceedings: transcendant names in a resplendent arena.

Opened in 1928 to provide a suitable venue for the French defence of the Davis Cup acquired the previous year in the United States, the stadium took the name of the French aviator who died during a dogfight in the first world war.

A plethora of power plays and set-tos have charged the clay courts over the years at Roland Garros  – several involving Djokovic and Nadal in the thick of the action. Their latest meeting though will not displace any of the epics in the story books.

Form

It went according to the 2024 form book. Djokovic, the world number two, up against a man returning from a year off the circuit due to injuries and ranked 161 in the world.

Djokovic, who underwent surgery on a knee injury sustained during the 2024 French Open, waltzed into a 5-0 lead in the first set.

Nadal managed to win his first game 35 minutes into the match but Djokovic wrapped up the set 6-1.

And he continued the parade with a four-game streak. With victory seemingly just a yawn away, Djokovic started to make a few errors and Nadal gnawed his way back to 4-4.

Relief

“I’m very relieved,” Djokovic said soon after the 6-1, 6-4 victory. “Everything was going my way, I was 6-1, 4-0 up but I played a sloppy service game and gave him chances.”

Nadal of yore would have exploited the lifeline. A Nadal of yesteryear wouldn’t have been in such dire straits.

And the 38-year-old conceded he needed to rethink his position after Djokovic extended his lead to 31-29 in the sport’s most enduring rivalry.

“I have been suffering a lot of injuries the last two years,” said Nadal. “So if I feel that I am not competitive enough to keep going or physically I’m not ready to keep going I will stop.

“I just try my best every single day, trying to enjoy a thing that I have been enjoying for so much time.”

As Djokovic awaits the winner of the match between the Italian Matteo Arnaldi and Germany’s Dominik Koepfer, Nadal will continue his Olympics in the men’s doubles with compatriot Carlos Alcaraz.

“Playing against Novak, without being able to damage him and without having the legs of 20 years ago is almost impossible now,” Nadal lamented.

On 1 December 1944, colonial troops and French gendarmes were ordered by French army officers to shoot at several dozen African troops at the military camp of Thiaroye near the Senegalese capital Dakar.

The riflemen – known as tirailleurs senegalais – had been repatriated after being held in German prisoner-of-war camps and were awaiting demobilisation.

They were shot dead after they mutinied, demanding that bonuses owing to them be paid and equal treatment with French soldiers.

Kept under wraps for decades, the killings were the subject of a 1988 film, Camp de Thiaroye, by Ousmane Sembène and Thierno Faty Sow.

Now, six of those soldiers – four from Senegal, one from Côte d’Ivoire and one from what is now Burkina Faso – have posthumously been honoured for having “died for France” (“morts pour la France”).

An official from France’s veterans and remembrance department said Sunday that the decision was part of the commemorations ahead of both the 80th anniversary of the liberation of France, in which colonial troops played a big role, and the 80th anniversary of the events in Thiaroye.

“This is a new step. It was essential. It is now time to look at this history, our history, as it was,” the official told French news agency AFP.

France commemorates its ‘forgotten’ African veterans

‘Big step’

The decision to remember the riflemen was taken on 18 June, just days before the first meeting in Paris between President Emmanuel Macron and the new Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye.

Aissata Seck, head of an association that aims to keep the memory of African “tirailleurs” alive, praised the move as “a big step” and said she “couldn’t see how France could fail to take this commemoration on board”.

“Before being massacred at Thiaroye, these soldiers fought alongside French soldiers during the Second World War … They deserved to be recognised,” she told RFI.

‘Salutary decision’

Samba Diop, a Senegalese historian who has been working on the Thiaroye massacre for 30 years, said the decision was “truly salutary”.

“It’s first and foremost for the memory of these six identified infantrymen,” he told RFI, “but also for their families who will be able to finally mourn after 79 years.”

He hoped it would be possible to identify their graves and write epitaphs.

“This is a salutary decision for the entire West African community, even the African community overall. This fight has been going on for a very long time, and to my knowledge it’s the most important step ever taken,” he said.

According to the report drawn up by the French authorities at the time, at least 35 soldiers died on the spot or from their injuries, though some historians estimate the toll to be much higher.

“There’s still mystery around the number of deaths and the place where the victims were buried,” historian Martin Mourre, a specialist on the tirailleurs, told RFI.

The French state now had the opportunity “to shed as much light as possible on what really happened,” he noted.

Not France’s story to tell alone

But Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko had a different take.

In a lengthy post on social media platform X, he said this “tragic story” was not France’s to tell alone.

It was not up to Paris to determine how many Africans were “betrayed and murdered” after having fought to save France, nor what reparations they deserved, he wrote.

He signed the post as leader of his party, Pastef, and not as head of the government.

Senegal’s PM Sonko questions future of French military presence in Dakar

Look history in the face

Former president Francois Hollande ended years of denial over the Thiaroye massacre 10 years ago when he became the first French leader to pay tribute to the soldiers, recognising at least 70 dead.

In 2017, Hollande granted French citizenship to 28 African war veterans. And last year they were finally able to permanently return to their families on the African continent while keeping their pensions.

Through this latest gesture, Macron wished to “look history in the face”, according to the veterans’ department official, who added that this initial decision could be completed once the exact identity of other victims was established.

Since coming to power in 2017, Macron has sought to address the most painful historical scars over France’s relationship with Africa, notably relating to the 1954-1962 Algerian War of Independence and the 1994 Rwanda genocide.

France’s Macron offers solemn recognition of 1962 Algiers shootings

However, critics have often said that the gestures, while welcome, do not go far enough.

“You can always say it’s too little, too late, but above all you should welcome it,” historian Mourre remarks.

“The geopolitical situation between France and West Africa is complicated, so of course it’s in the French government’s interests to take this decision.”

But the decision, he says, is “just as important for the African diaspora here in France, as for the African communities on the continent”.

The ultra-left activist was reportedly arrested this Monday in connection with the sabotage attack on France’s high-speed rail network last week.

It is the first publicly announced arrest made since the sabotage attack, which took place on Friday hours before the Olympic Games opening ceremony got underway.

The man was detained at Oissel on Sunday and had access keys to SNCF technical premises, tools and literature linked to the ultra-left, a source told French news agency AFP, who asked not to be named.

The suspect was placed in police custody for questioning in Rouen, the main city of France’s Normandy region.

Saboteurs struck the network on Friday with pre-dawn strikes on signal substations and cables at critical points, causing travel chaos hours before the opening ceremony in Paris.

“We have identified the profiles of several people,” Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin told France 2 TV, adding that the sabotage bore the hallmarks of far-left groups.

Rise in far-left ‘clandestine actions’

In recent years, France has been targeted in attacks by Islamist militants, but security services have been increasingly concerned about ultra-left or anarchist militants, who typically oppose the state and capitalism.

The then-head of France’s domestic intelligence agency, Nicolas Lerner, told Le Monde newspaper last year that French President Emmanuel Macron’s divisive 2023 pension shake-up had helped lure recruits to far-left groups, which have increasingly incorporated ecological issues into their ideologies.

“In recent years, the far-left movements have been known for particularly violent clandestine actions, including arson campaigns … ransacking and destruction of property,” Lerner – who now leads the French DGSE intelligence agency – said in the interview.

• France says multiple Olympic accreditation requests rejected over security fears
• ‘Sabotage’ on French rail network before Olympics: What we know

Trains return to normal

This comes as train services across France were back up and running ‘next to normal’ on Monday morning, after teams worked around the clock over the weekend to fix the damage, according to Transport Minister Patrice Vergriete.

Vergriete said that some 800,000 people had faced travel disruptions and said the cost to the state-owned rail operator SNCF would be considerable.

In a separate incident, fibre optic networks of several telecommunications operators were reportedly “sabotaged” in six areas of France on Monday, but Paris has not been affected.

(with newswires)

The death threats were reported by Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin and the investigation will be led by the national anti-online hate body, the prosectuors’ office said in a statement.

Israel last Thursday warned France about cyber harrassment of its athletes and leaks of personal data that it blamed on Iran-backed groups.

Details of Israeli athletes’ were leaked on social media including blood test results and login credentials.

Prosecutors said they were also probing possible anti-Semitic hate crimes during an Israel-Paraguay football match Saturday in Paris which featured chants and banners about the Gaza war.

The match at the Paris Saint Germain stadium saw fans “dressed in black, masked and carrying Palestinian flags unfurl a banner saying ‘Genocide Olympics'” and one of them “made gestures of an anti-Semitic nature”, a separate statement said.

The Paris Olympics organisers lodged a complaint with police, the prosecutors’ statement added, confirming a story by the Parisien newspaper.

An AFP reporter at the stadium said about 50 spectators in the crowd sang chants in French against Israel and about the Gaza war. The chants, in French, included “Israel Killer” and “Israel is killing Palestine’s children”.

The Israeli anthem was booed by part of the crowd. Some Israeli fans in the stadium chanted back “Free the hostages”.

The fans could be charged with aggravated incitement to racial hatred, the statement said.

French Jews consider leaving

The Israeli press indicates that the country’s intelligence services are also involved in providing security during the Olympic Games in Paris.

According to the Jerusalem Post, operations are “mainly focused on Olympic delegation members (athletes and staff) but the Shin Bet (Israel’s internal security service) is “also taking into account the thousands of Israeli spectators who will be arriving in Paris.

An opinion piece in the Israel daily Jerusalem Post on Monday entitled “is now not the time for Jews living in France to head to Israel?”

• Olympics chief and Macron reject Palestinian demand to ban Israel from Games

“The number of anti-Semitic incidents across France has quadrupled and the situation has been steadily deteriorating for two decades,” wrote David Ben-Basat, CEO of Radios 100 FM and vice president of the Ambassadors Club of Israel. “The atmosphere towards the Jews is sometimes ‘unbearable.'”

According to the article, this “surge” in anti-Semitism resulted in some 3,714 French Jews deciding to make the “Aliyah” (lit. “ascent,”) or migrate to Israel. 

Additionally, data presented to the Aliyah Group indicated that 38 percent of French Jews, approximately 200,000 people, were considering immigrating from France, according to the Jerusalem Post.

(with newswires)

Zuma, a once-celebrated anti-apartheid hero, has been a prominent figure in the ANC for decades.

However, his presidency and leadership were marred by corruption scandals that damaged the party’s reputation.

Pressured to resign as South Africa’s president in 2018, Zuma later leveraged his considerable political influence to campaign for uMkhonto weSizwe (MK), a rival party.

In May, MK achieved a significant political milestone by securing the third-highest number of votes in the national election, preventing the ANC from winning an outright majority for the first time since the end of apartheid 30 years ago.

At 82, Zuma now leads MK, which holds 58 out of the 400 seats in Parliament and is poised to challenge the ANC’s dominance.

Fikile Mbalula, ANC Secretary-General, stated that Zuma was expelled for “actively impugning the integrity of the ANC” and attempting to undermine the party’s power.

According to an ANC statement, the former leader “… campaigned to dislodge the ANC from power, while claiming that he had not severed his membership. This conduct is irreconcilable with the spirit of organisational discipline and letter of the ANC Constitution.”

The former leader has also “been running on a dangerous platform that casts doubt on our entire constitutional edifice. He had meted out a host of anti-revolutionary outbursts, including mischievously calling into question the credibility of our electoral processes without cause and discrediting the rationale of our judicial system.”

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

MK responded to media reports that Zuma had been expelled in a statement earlier on Monday, criticizing the ANC’s process and condemning “grave injustices” against Zuma.

“President Zuma will engage his legal team to urgently determine the course of action,” it said.

Zuma has been given 21 days to appeal the decision.

During a telephone conversation on Sunday, Macron pledged to pass on “messages to all parties involved in the conflict”, following a rocket attack on the Golan Heights at the weekend that killed twelve young people aged between 10 and 16, and which Israel has attributed to the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.

According to the Élysée Palace, the French Head of State “also reiterated the need to reach a political solution to the issue of the Blue Line, on the basis of Resolution 1701”.

• Hezbollah says ‘total war possible’ as France warns of Lebanese fallout

In a statement posted on social media platform X, The French Foreign Ministry said:”France condemns in the strongest possible terms the attack on the Druze locality of Majdal Shams in the occupied Syrian Golan, which took a particularly heavy toll”. 

This comes as Lebanon has called for an international investigation after the deadly strike, which also injured 30 other young people, while another, aged 13, is missing.

Israel mulls ‘retaliation’

According to Israel, the projectile was an Iranian Falaq rocket with a 53-kilogram warhead.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry maintains that Hezbollah – which denies being responsible for the attack – is the only party to have such a rocket. 

Israel has promised to “strike the enemy with force”, raising fears of a regional conflagration in the midst of the war in the Gaza Strip.

• France’s FM in Lebanon to prevent Israel-Hezbollah conflict escalation

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who visited the site of the rocket strike Monday, has said “Hezbollah will pay a heavy price”.

Meanwhile, airlines have suspended flights to Lebanon as diplomatic efforts are underway to contain soaring tensions between Hezbollah and Israel.

Several airlines including Lufthansa, Air France and Transavia announced Monday the suspension of their Beirut lines.

(with newswires)

The 32-year-old specialist in high-speed ascents – made without the aid of oxygen – left K2 base camp just after midnight on Saturday and reached the summit 10 hours, 59 minutes and 59 seconds later.

His ascent slashes by more than half the previous record for climbing K2 without the aid of bottled oxygen, completed in 23 hours by fellow Frenchman Benoit Chamoux in 1986.

Vedrines attempted the summit in 2022 but was forced to turn back after suffering from hypoxia – a lack of oxygen in the blood caused by thin air at high altitudes.

“I took my revenge on this mountain,” Vedrines said in a voice message. “But above all I wanted to reconcile with it by doing things with maturity”.

“It was very symbolic for me because I was returning in my footsteps to where I experienced those very unique moments,” he said. 

“I really enjoyed seeing the same sections again, but with lucidity this time”.

‘Savage Mountain’

Standing at 8,611 metres on the Pakistan-China border, K2 is 238 metres shorter than Everest but is considered more technically challenging – earning it the nickname “Savage Mountain”.

Elite climbers regard the mountain, which was first scaled in 1954, as a quintessential achievement, and often attempt to set records on its jagged slopes.

Norwegian climber Kristin Harila and her Nepali guide Tenjin Sherpa conquered K2 a year ago, capping a record for the fastest summit of all 14 of the world’s 8,000-metre mountains.

The pair completed the feat in three months and one day.

Tenjin was killed in an avalanche less than three months later as he guided another climber on Mount Shishapangma in Tibet.

In January 2021, a 10-man team from Nepal became the first to summit K2 in winter as temperatures plunged to minus 65 degrees Celsius.

• Sophie Lavaud becomes first French person to climb world’s highest peaks

Japanese climbers fall   

Meanwhile, rescue prospects seemed remote on Monday for two feted Japanese climbers who fell from K2’s western face at the weekend.

Kazuya Hiraide and Kenro Nakajima had been using the same “alpine style” of climbing as Vedrines, which relies on a minimum of fixed ropes, when they plunged from above 7,000 metres.

A helicopter spotted the motionless pair but was forced to abort a rescue attempt and their sponsor – clothing brand Ishii Sports – said on Monday they were on “steep terrain that is difficult to reach”.

Rescue attempts are still being discussed and no organisation has yet declared the men dead.

(with newswires)

Speaking on Sunday, theatre director Thomas Jolly notably denied that one of the most controversial scenes that featured a near-naked performer had been inspired by the Christian iconography of Leonardo Da Vinci’s Last Supper. 

Some Catholic groups and bishops condemned what they saw as “scenes of derision and mockery of Christianity” in Friday’s parade choreographed by Jolly.

Criticism has focused on a scene involving dancers, drag queens and a DJ in poses that recalled depictions of the Last Supper, the final meal Jesus is said to have taken with his apostles.

“Clearly there was never an intention to show disrespect to any religious group,” Paris 2024 spokeswoman Anne Descamps told reporters on Sunday.

“If people have taken any offence, we are of course really, really sorry,” she added.

‘Cloud of love’

42-year-old Jolly, denied taking inspiration from the Last Supper in his nearly four-hour production, which took place in driving rain along the River Seine – the first time a Summer Olympics has opened outside of the main athletics stadium. 

The scene – intended to promote tolerance of different sexual and gender identities – also featured French singer and actor Philippe Katerine appearing on a silver serving dish, almost naked and painted blue. 

He was meant to represent Dionysus, the Greek god of wine and pleasure, who was father of Sequana, the goddess of the River Seine.

• ‘We did it!’: France breathes sigh of relief after Olympics ceremony

“The idea was to do a big pagan party linked to the gods of Olympus,” Jolly told the BFMTV channel. 

“You’ll never find in my work any desire to mock or denigrate anyone. I wanted a ceremony that brings people together, that reconciles, but also a ceremony that affirms our Republican values of liberty, equality and fraternity,” he added. 

‘Great shame’

Wading into a tense political climate after snap legislative elections this month that left the country in political stalemate, the French extreme and far right have lambasted the show as a distortion of French values.

A spokesman for France’s far-right National Rally party, Julien Odoul, called the ceremony “a ransacking of French culture“.

In Moscow, Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova called it a “giant gay parade”. 

“If our work is used … to again sow division and hatred … it would be a great shame,” said Jolly.

• Paris Olympics become a matter of medals after stars reign on the Seine

In one of the other striking moments of the ceremony, a woman holding a bloodied severed head and intended to be executed French queen Marie-Antoinette appeared in a window of the Conciergerie – a building where she was imprisoned after the 1789 French Revolution.

She was later guillotined along with her husband Louis XVI. 

While praising elements of the ceremony, French hard-left figurehead Jean-Luc Melenchon criticised this part saying: “the death penalty and the execution of Marie Antoinette are from an age of punishments that we do not want to see again.”

“Certainly, we were not glorifying this instrument of death which is the guillotine,” Jolly responded.

Controversy notwithstanding, a poll by the survey group Harris – which was commissioned by Paris 2024 organisers – showed that 86 percent of respondents in France held positive views on the ceremony.

(with AFP)

Under controversial legislation currently passing through parliament, local authorities would be responsible for rounding up stray dogs, which would be killed after 30 days if an owner can not be found for them.

Opponents claim as many as eight million street dogs could be at risk.

“They are planning to round them up into shelters, which we call death camps,” said Zulal Kalkandelen, one of the animals rights activists taking part in a recent protest against the plan in Istanbul.

“For some time, there has been a campaign to fuel stray animal hatred,” she declared.

“Our people, who have been living with street dogs for many years, in fact for centuries, are now being brought to the point where all these animals will be erased.”

Street dogs have been a part of Istanbul life for centuries. The proposed legislation evokes memories of a dark chapter in the city’s past when, in 1910, street dogs were rounded up and left on a nearby island to starve.

It has provoked emotive arguments in parliament, with MPs jostling one another and exchanging insults – opening another deep divide in an already fractured political landscape.

But President Erdogan insists something must be done to control stray animals that, he argues, have become a menace to society, causing traffic accidents and spreading disease.

Humane alternatives

Addressing parliament, Erdogan claimed he was answering the call of the “silent majority”.

“The truth is that a very large part of society wants this issue to be resolved as soon as possible and our streets to become safe for everyone, especially our children,” he declared.

“It is unthinkable for us to remain indifferent to this demand, this call, even this cry. Our proposals are no different from those of other countries in Europe.”

Mixed reactions as France prepares to simplify wolf culling rules

Lawyer Elcin Cemre Sencan, who has helped organise protests against the proposed legislation, argues there are more humane ways to address people’s concerns.

“There is a group of people who are disturbed by these stray animals or who are afraid even to touch them,” she acknowledges. “But even if there are these concerns, the solution is not to put the dogs to sleep.

“Scientific studies have shown that sterilising animals, especially dogs, reduces not only their numbers but also attacks on people.”

Veterinary organisations have also pointed out that the cost of euthanising a dog is many times higher than sterilisation and vaccination.

Diversion tactic?

Some critics suggest politics could be behind the move.

With Erdogan’s conservative AK Party suffering heavy defeats in local elections this spring and Turkey grappling with near 100 percent inflation, opponents claim the Turkish president could be calculating that objections to his street dog legislation comes mainly from the secular opposition and hoping the issue will consolidate his religious base.

“We know our problems in this country; the world knows our problems. There is an economic crisis, and we have human rights problems everywhere. But they want to change the main topics to these animals,” said Eyup Cicerali, a professor at Istanbul’s Nisantasi University, at a recent protest against the legislation.  

“They want to kill them all,” he claimed. “We are here to protect our values, values of respect and dignity for human and animal rights. Life is an issue for all groups.”

According to one recent opinion poll, less than 3 percent of the Turkish public support the culling of street dogs.

Some of Erdogan’s MPs have even started speaking out against the law in the media, albeit anonymously. “This law makes us dog killers,” one unnamed deputy was quoted as saying.

Despite such misgivings, the legislation is expected to pass parliament later this month.

But with the protests drawing together secular and religious animal lovers, and opposition-controlled local authorities declaring they won’t impose the law, the stray dog legislation could prove a risky move for Erdogan.

Where will Gaza stray dogs find shelter?

In total, more than 200 delegations and 10,000 athletes are participating in 36 sports at the Paris Games. 

RFI’s sport editor Paul Myers discusses how African athletes from all over the continent are likely to perform.

Who are the African athletes to watch out for at Paris Olympics?

Episode mixed by Erwan Rome. 

Spotlight on Africa is a podcast from Radio France Internationale. 

Hello everyone!

This week on The Sound Kitchen, you’ll hear an essay by listener Ashik Eqbal Tokon from Rajshahi, Bangladesh. I hope you’ll be inspired to write an essay for us, too!

If your essay goes on the air, you’ll find a package in the mail from The Sound Kitchen. Write in about your “ordinary” heroes – the people in your community who are doing extraordinarily good work, quietly working to make the world a better place, in whatever way they can. As listener Pramod Maheshwari said: “Just as small drops of water can fill a pitcher, small drops of kindness can change the world.”

I am still looking for your “This I Believe” essays, too. Tell us about the principles that guide your life … what you have found to be true from your very own personal experience. Or write about a book that changed your perspective on life, a person who you admire, festivals in your community, your most memorable moment, and/or your proudest achievement. If your essay is chosen to go on the air – read by you – you’ll win a special prize!

Send your essays to thesoundkitchen@rfi.fr

Or by postal mail, to:

Susan Owensby

RFI – The Sound Kitchen

80, rue Camille Desmoulins

92130 Issy-les-Moulineaux

France

I look forward to hearing from you soon!

Here’s Ashik Eqbal Tokon’s essay:

The Transformative Journey, Inspired by Pather Panchali 

As a child growing up in the bustling megacity of the 1980s, I was accustomed to the constant hum of trains, the clanging of trams, the honking of buses, and the rhythmic peddling of rickshaws. My world was a mosaic of concrete, electricity, radio broadcasts, and black-and-white television screens. It was a life saturated with modern conveniences and rapid movement, where nature seemed distant, relegated to small parks and occasional glimpses of the sky between towering buildings. However, this perception shifted dramatically when I encountered a short story extracted from the novel Pather Panchali by Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay. The tale of Apu and Durga’s discovery of the train in their remote Bengali village captured my imagination with its vivid descriptions and emotional depth. The scene where they run through lush fields, their eyes widening in awe at the sight of the train, resonated deeply within me. This moment became etched in my mind, igniting a spark of curiosity and longing for a world beyond the urban sprawl.

My First Journey to the Village

Shortly after reading the story, I had the opportunity to visit my ancestral village, a place starkly different from my city life. The journey began with a train ride that mirrored Apu’s wonder and excitement. As the train chugged through the countryside, I gazed out of the window, mesmerised by the passing landscapes. Rivers snaked through the green fields, and orchards of mangoes, lychees, and jackfruits painted the scenery with vibrant colours. It was as if I had stepped into Apu’s world, experiencing the same unmeasurable happiness he felt. The bus journey that followed took me deeper into the heart of nature. The scent of fresh earth and blooming flowers filled the air. The sight of villagers working in the fields, children playing under the shade of trees, and the serene flow of rivers created a permanent visual in my mind. This experience was a revelation, a tactile encounter with the natural world that Apu had introduced me to.

Discovering Pather Panchali in My Teenage Years

As a teenager, I read the full novel Pather Panchali and felt an even stronger connection to Apu’s journey. The book opened my eyes to the beauty of nature, the simplicity of rural life, and the profound emotions tied to family and survival. It made me realise that true happiness and fulfilment could be found in the simplest of experiences and the purest of surroundings. This realisation shaped my life’s journey and passions. I developed a deep love for travel, seeking out places where I could immerse myself in nature’s embrace. The novel’s influence led me to explore diverse landscapes, from the golden deserts of Rajasthan, India, to the lush hills of Bhutan. I found joy in the contrasting environments—the tranquil charm of Thailand’s beaches, the cultural richness of Bali, the waves of the Bay of Bengal, and the expansive horizons of the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Thailand, and Java Sea.

Embracing My Home Country, Bangladesh

One of the most profound impacts of Pather Panchali was how it deepened my appreciation for my own beautiful country, Bangladesh. After my teenage years, I have had the privilege to explore all 64 districts of Bangladesh, each with its unique natural beauty and cultural heritage. From the verdant hills of Sylhet to the serene beaches of Cox’s Bazar, the majestic Sundarbans mangrove forest to the vibrant cultural tapestry of Dhaka, every corner of Bangladesh offered a new discovery and a deeper connection to my roots. The green landscapes, the winding rivers, and the warmth of the people in Bangladesh constantly reminded me of Apu’s world. This profound connection to my homeland enriched my life and reinforced my love for travel and exploration. Bangladesh, with its rich history and diverse natural beauty, continues to be a source of inspiration and joy.

Embracing Nature and the Love of Travel

Pather Panchali taught me to appreciate the feather-light touch of nature, to find beauty and peace in its presence, even in the most unexpected places. Whether it was the arid sands of Rajasthan, where the desert winds whispered ancient tales, or the verdant hills of Jalpaiguri, where the air was thick with the scent of tea leaves, nature became my sanctuary. The novel instilled in me a sense of wonder and a desire to explore, to experience the world through the lens of its natural splendour. In Thailand and Bali, I found a different kind of charm, where the azure waters and golden sunsets painted the skies with hues of tranquility and adventure. Swimming in the waves of the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean, I felt a connection to the vastness of the world, a reminder of Apu’s endless curiosity and love for discovery. The icy expanse of Mongolia, though harsh, revealed the serene and stark beauty of a world wrapped in snow and silence, expanding my understanding of nature’s extremes.

Final Word

The transformative power of Pather Panchali by Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay lies in its ability to transport readers into a world where nature and simplicity hold profound meaning. For me, the novel was not just a story but a catalyst for a lifelong passion for travel and an enduring love for the natural world. It taught me to seek out the beauty in every corner of the earth, to cherish the moments of awe and wonder, and to find joy in the journey itself. This timeless tale of Apu’s adventures has forever changed my perspective, making every travel experience a homage to the spirit of discovery and the beauty of nature, from the warm beaches of Bali to the freezing steppes of Mongolia, and the verdant beauty of Bangladesh, my beloved homeland.

The music chosen by Ashik is “Janmo Amar Dhonno Holo Mago” by Azad Rahman, sung by Sabina Yeasmin.

Be sure and tune in next week for an essay written by Bidhan Chandar Sanyal. Talk to you then!

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!

This week’s quiz: On 22 June, I asked you a question about the world’s largest arms show – the Eurosatory weapons show – which was just ending up here in France. RFI English journalist Jan van der Made went out to take a look, and wrote an article about it for you: “Israel and Russia barred as world’s largest arms show opens in Paris”.

You were to re-read Jan’s article and send in the answer to this question: why is the arms fair called “Eurosatory”?

The answer is, to quote Jan’s article: “Eurosatory is named after Satory, a town near Versailles that is home to Paris’s 24th infantry regiment and the GIGN (an elite French crisis intervention group) headquarters.

The first Eurosatory show was held there in 1967, but due to its expansion over the years, the show moved to the Villepinte exhibition halls north of the French capital.”

In addition to the quiz question, there was the bonus question: “What is your favorite food, and why?”, which was suggested by Momotaz Begum Nazu from Naogaon, Bangladesh.

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

The winners are: Riaz Ahmad Khan, the president of the RFI Listeners Club in Sheikhupura, Pakistan. Riaz is also the winner of this week’s bonus question. Congratulations Riaz, on your double win.

Also on the list of lucky winners this week are Ferhat Bezazel, the president of the RFI Butterflies Club Ain Kechera in West Skikda, Algeria, and RFI Listeners Club member Zenon Teles, the president of the Christian – Marxist – Leninist – Maoist Association of Listening DX-ers in Goa, India.

Last but not least, there are RFI English listeners Nilu Dhakal from Mechi, Nepal, and Laily Akhter Nessa from Naogaon, Bangladesh.

Congratulations, winners!

Here’s the music you heard on this week’s programme: The theme from The Pink Panther by Henry Mancini; “No Apparent Reason” by Alex Norris, performed by Ralph Irizarry and Timbalaye; “The Flight of the Bumblebee” by Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov; “The Cakewalk” from Children’s Corner by Claude Debussy, performed by the composer, and “Canon” by Siouxsie Sioux, Budgie, and Steven Severin, performed by Siouxsie and The Banshees.

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 “Rwanda heads to the polls to likely re-elect Kagame for fourth term”, which will help you with the answer.

You have until 9 September to enter this week’s quiz. The winners will be announced on the 14 September 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. 

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. 

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.