EDF had announced recently that it had been given the green light from France’s ASN nuclear safety authority to start producing the first electrons from the third generation European Pressurised Water Reactor or EPR.

In a video published on X, EDF stated: “The divergence phase has begun. This operation will make the reactor core beat for the first time”, specifying that “divergence initiates the nuclear fission chain reaction”.

But “coupling” – the grid connection operations that will enable French households to benefit from the energy of the most powerful 1,600 megawatt reactor – will still have to wait.

In a press release, EDF added: “A programme of tests to reach a power level of 25 percent will be implemented, at which point the EPR will be connected to the national grid for the first time and will produce electricity, a deadline scheduled for late autumn 2024″.

According to Régis Clément, deputy director of the French group’s nuclear production division: “We are talking about the end of autumn, because we have a fairly substantial programme of tests ahead of us,” adding that the plant’s nuclear core would be brought up to speed “in successive stages” before it could “show its credentials”.

In July, EDF CEO Luc Rémont had announced that divergence – a major stage in the reactor start-up operations – was “imminent”.

The reason it did not start until this Monday was because the teams at Flamanville encountered unforeseen circumstances, which led to “a certain number of additional operations” having to be carried out during the summer, according to Clément.

As for full power – previously announced for the end of the year – it will take “several months”, Clément added, who declined to give a new date.

• France to build more new generation nuclear reactors to reach green targets
• France seeks ‘pro-nuclear alliance’ for EU energy talks

Production up sharply from existing plants

Although EDF has obtained the go-ahead from the ASN safety authority to launch operations and take another crucial step forward, this is yet another setback the for the pressurised water reactor project that is already 12 years behind schedule – only the 4th of its kind to be installed worldwide.

At a time when President Emmanuel Macron is calling for a renaissance of France’s nuclear industry – by ordering six EPR2 reactors (as well as eight more as an option) from EDF – the start-up of the Flamanville EPR has taken on a highly symbolic dimension.

In addition to the ASN authorisation, some additional good news is coming in from existing nuclear power stations, as EDF has significantly revised upwards its nuclear production estimate for 2024, which is now between 340 and 360 TeraWatt hours (TWh), compared with the initial forecast of 315 to 345 TWh.

“The 56 other reactors are performing better than we had planned,” says Clément, so production from “the [Flamanville] EPR will be additional”.

The numerous setbacks that have affected the EPR project – cracks in the concrete slab, anomalies in the steel of the reactor vessel, and welding defects in the containment feedthroughs – have caused the final cost of the Normandy reactor to soar, with EDF now estimating it at over €13 billion, four times the initial estimate of €3.3 billion.

In 2020, the Cour des Comptes – France’s national audit office – estimated the cost at €19 billion, including ‘additional financing costs’.

In an opening hearing, the judge ruled to extend Vinatier’s detention until 21 February.

The court set the next hearing in the case for 16 September, granting Vinatier’s request for more time to prepare.

The 48-year-old French national has been charged with collecting information on Russia’s “military and military-technical activities”, according to court officials, and he faces up to five years in prison if convicted.

After he was first arrested, he admitted to the charge of not having registered as a foreign agent, saying he did not know that he was legally required to do so.

He has been held in pre-trial detention since his arrest in June, despite several requests to be placed under house arrest.

‘Arbitrarily detained’

Vinatier is a specialist on the former Soviet Union and worked with the Swiss NGO Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD), which helps to mediate conflicts outside of standard diplomatic channels.

He was reportedly working on mediation efforts in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, according to the AFP news agency.

His detention has increased tensions between Moscow and Paris, already strained since the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and France’s subsequent support of Kyiv.

Arrests on charges of spying and collecting sensitive data have become increasingly frequent in Russia since the start of the war.

The country has previously used foreign agent charges to arrest people before levelling more serious accusations at them.

After the biggest post-Cold War prisoner exchange between Russia and the West in early August, which did not include Vinatier, France called on Moscow to free all people “arbitrarily detained in Russia”.

(with newswires)

In an update on the budget sent to lawmakers Monday night, the finance ministry said that the public sector budget deficit could reach 5.6 percent of GDP this year, higher than the 5.1 percent targeted.

The head of the National Assembly’s finance committee, Eric Coquerel, a lawmaker with the hard left France Unbowed, said that the deficit could reach 6.2 percent in 2025, according to treasury calculations.

Income tax, as well as corporate and value added taxes brought in less revenue than expected, while snap elections this summer as well as increased security in New Caledonia added expenses, Coquerel said on X, citing the letter from the ministry.

In the letter, Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire warned of the “extremely rapid increase in local public spending”, which added 16 billion euros to the books compared to previsions sent in the spring.

The deterioration of France’s finances has sparked disciplinary proceedings from the European Union, whose rules require budget deficits to not exceed 3 percent of GDP.

This is putting even more pressure on President Emmanuel Macron, who has yet to appoint a new Prime Minister after July’s snap elections that left the National Assembly with no clear majority.

The outgoing government is preparing a budget for 2025 that is based strictly on spending from 2024, and is “reversible”, according to the finance ministry, to be revised by a future government when it is finally formed.

(with newswires)

No one meddles with gold

Weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth. For the first time, there were no gold medals for France leaving the gang with 11. Still there were two silvers and two bronze to take the overall tally up to 38.

Silver daze

After the brothers in larmes act of Alex and Kylian Portal following their silver and bronze in the SL13 400m freestyle,  Alex was back in the Paris La Défense Arena to try and hack away at Ihar Boki in the men’s 200m individual medley – SM13. Not this time.

Industrial sample

The review’s taken back to the gold medal match in the table tennis at the Olympics between China and Sweden. China, comprising Chuqin Wang, Zhengdong Fan as well as the living legend Ma Long, mashed up Sweden to  keep hold of the prize their illustrious predecessors first acquired in Beijing in 2008 when the event was introduced at the Olympics. Kristrian Karlsson, one of the conquered Scandinavians told RFI: “It’s not real – those three guys. There should be rules against having people like that in the same team.” Well after Ihar Boki won his fifth gold medal of the 2024 Games to notch up his 21st gold medal, Kristian’s spirit seems apt.

Life is a Minestrone

There haven’t been too many musical references in The Daily Review. What? Is The Review feeling sad, depleted and lugubrious? Under attack? No, we can confide that we are vibrant and happily remembering the 10CC song during which they sing: “I’m leaning on the Tower of Pisa, had an eyeful of the tower in France …” And that Parisian landmark may well be getting a new look after the creative whizzes in City Hall say they want to display the Olympic logo permanently on the Eiffel Tower. “The idea is to make permanent the events that Paris has lived through,” deputy mayor Pierre Rabadan, told the French news agency AFP.

And therefore

Not going to be happy times as the idea has been criticised by descendants of the tower’s designer Gustave Eiffel. A petition on Change.org against the idea had gathered 34,000 signatures. The Association of Gustave Eiffel’s Descendants says that it is against the idea of the tower becoming an advertising outpost. Don’t want to get that lot riled. They can be a real handful.

Tuesday is the final day of campaigning for the vote on Saturday, 7 September, with a media blackout to be imposed from Wednesday.

Most observers expect Tebboune to secure his re-election with a majority of votes in the first of the two rounds of voting.

“The outcome is largely predictable,” Dalia Ghanem, a senior analyst and programme director at the Doha-based Middle East Council on Global Affairs, told RFI.

“As we’ve expected, this election has proceeded without any surprises. In this country, elections tend to be meticulously orchestrated and tightly managed.” 

Shortened campaign

“Tebboune has the support of the administration” as the incumbent president, said Hasni Abidi, director of the Centre for Studies and Research on the Arab and Mediterranean World (Cermam) in Geneva.

Tebboune has eased relations with Algeria’s powerful military, Abidi told RFI.

The president is also expected to benefit from a change in the election schedule, which left his rivals with less time to campaign.

Originally scheduled for December, the poll was brought forward because of what he called “the current international situation and the dangers looming over Algeria”.

The country typically avoids holding elections in the summer, when intense heat makes campaigning difficult – but this year’s campaign kicked off in mid-August.

While campaign staff would usually head out into streets and markets to talk to voters, in recent weeks they have tried to meet voters in their homes, said a spokesperson for the Socialist Forces Front (FFS), a centre-left opposition party.

“We had to adapt,” the representative told RFI.

Opponents arrested

The opposition has also complained of intimidation, with dozens of people arrested last month over alleged election fraud and three would-be candidates placed under judicial supervision.

Another opposition leader, Fethi Ghares, was detained last week. He stands accused of “insulting the president” and spreading disinformation online.

A prominent figure on Algeria’s secular left, Ghares was involved in the 2019 Hirak movement, the series of mass protests that led to the ousting of long-time president Abdelaziz Bouteflika. 

His party, the Democratic and Social Movement, succeeded the Algerian Communist Party, but was banned in February 2023.

Algerian opposition denounces ‘unfair conditions’ in upcoming election

“It is very difficult to do politics in Algeria, I have often said it,” political scientist Abidi told RFI.

“It is difficult to exist as an opponent. There are arrests; some journalists or even citizens who have published posts on social media can get arrested now, which is new. Algeria had not even known that until now.”

He says a lot of people still fear repercussions and do not speak to journalists, for instance, because they are afraid for their safety.

“People ultimately do not make comments on politics in public, or say things that are a little general,” Abidi said.

But Algeria’s political system itself is evolving, he explains: “It is no longer set around this duality between the armed forces and the political power. Civilians are trying to have a role.”

Question of turnout

With members of the opposition calling for a boycott, however, some voters are refusing to participate. 

Karim, who lives in Algiers, told RFI’s correspondent why he would not be casting his ballot this weekend: “It is just theatre. This is an authoritarian regime that does not respect the rules of democracy. Every Algerian knows the outcome of this election in advance.”

“Participation is the only element at stake,” agreed Abidi. “It seems like abstentionism has become the first party in Algeria.”

Algerian election campaign marked by social pledges and claims of unfair play

The last presidential election of 2019 was widely boycotted, resulting in low turnout that undermined the legitimacy of Tebboune’s victory.

The president and his supporters are hoping to up participation this time round – something that analyst Ghanem suggests could be on the cards.

“It’s worth noting that the president is enjoying a surge in popularity, exceeding even his approval ratings when he was elected in 2019,” she told RFI.

“The public appears to be responding positively to his leadership and policy decisions. The crucial question now is whether this level of support will endure, and what the implications of another five years under Tebboune’s leadership will be for Algeria’s future.”

Congolese Interior Minister Jacquemain Shabani announced that at least 129 people died during a jailbreak out of Makala prison in the capital, Kinshasa, in the early hours of Monday.

Among those killed were 24 people who were shot “after warnings”, and many people died crushed or suffocated.

At least 59 people have been wounded or receiving care, Shabani said, and a number of women had been raped.

The authorities have given no indication as to how many inmates escaped or attempted to escape from Makala, DRC‘s largest prison, which is built to hold 1,500 people but houses over 15,000.

Few details have been released of the circumstances around the prison break.

Witnesses told the French news agency AFP that they had heard gunfire in the area around the prison at about 2am, which lasted for several hours.

Monday morning government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya said that security services were at the scene and he called on residents to “not panic”, and a few hours later said the situation was “under control”.

Later Monday Justice Minister Constant Mutamba announced on X that inquiries were under way “to identify and severely punish the sponsors of these acts of sabotage”.

Interior Minister Shabani said Tuesday that a fire had broken out in the jail’s administrative building, its food depots and a hospital.

The prison was badly damaged during an attack by armed men in 2017, after which more than 4,000 prisoners escaped.

The circumstances around that prison break were never made clear, even after a commission of inquiry.

(with newswires)

The athletes’ village has been tried, tested and given the thumbs up by para-athletes from around the world, who have converged on Paris for 10 days of stiff competition.

It’s not easy accommodating the needs of over 4,000 athletes and their staff and each country tends to have a few specificities.

Michael Perry, team leader for the Australian para-athletics contingent, arrived a week before the athletes to check that everything was in order and was thrilled with what he found.

He says any issues are usually ironed out during the two weeks of the Olympic Games, which this year took place from 26 July to 11 August. Everything is running smoothly, he reports – with a few minor adjustments.

“The Paralympics team have invested in buying the athletes bed-toppers to make the beds a little bit softer, a little bit more what we’re used to back at home,” he tells RFI.

As well as arranging to have their very own supply of McDonald’s McCafé coffee, “they’ve found different catering companies for certain dietary needs like gluten free”, Perry adds, explaining that not everyone travels well when it comes to food and managing allergies.

‘Loyal, proud, fierce’

Staff have decorated the Australian building in the country’s green and yellow colours, as well as personalising the entrance with a giant image of Uluru and a life-size emu.

The institutional flag is draped next to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island flags from the balconies under the words “Loyal, proud, fierce” and “Merci Paris”.

Along with a 25-member staff, Perry takes care of the 32 para-athletes competing in track and field events this year – 17 women and 15 men.

He explains that the Australian delegation is slightly smaller for these Paralympic Games, 160 down from 179, in part due to the difficulty of getting to competitions during the post-Covid period.

Paris Paralympics fans get in the game with up-close look at parasports

Australia is competing in 17 of the 22 disciplines, and 61 of the athletes will be making their Paralympic debut.

Bets are being placed on the wheelchair racing, one of Australia’s specialities, which grabbed the spotlight in Sydney in 2000 thanks to homegrown champs Louise Sauvage and Kurt Fearnley.

They have become role models for new generations of athletes here in Paris, Perry says.

Visibility

Parasports are benefitting from better visibility, Perry says, even though it’s been a long, slow process.

He points to the fact that for the first time a major media channel in Australia, the Nine Network, snapped up the rights to broadcast both the Olympics and Paralympics across all its platforms.

Paris seeks to make athletes’ village an accessible ‘paradise’ for Paralympians

It’s a testament to the rising profile of parasports in general, spearheaded by the Paralympics.

With greater prestige have come better services for para-athletes, says Perry – starting with uniforms, which are now individually tailored rather than “one size fits all” as in previous years.

He and the team are already looking forward to continuing the momentum beyond Paris 2024 and on to Los Angeles in 2028 – and especially at home in Brisbane in 2032.

No new cases of cholera have been identified since 12 July, according to the Regional health agency (ARS) after an epidemic swept through France’s poorest department this spring, as France launched operations against insecurity, illegal immigration and unsanitary housing.

A total of 221 cases were identified since the spring, with five deaths “attributable to cholera”, the agency told AFP.

The ARS put in place a vaccination campaign in the most affected areas, particularly where there was a lack of running water.

The results, the agency said, shows their response was effective.

However, if cholera is under control, the growing mpox epidemic coming from the Democratic Republic of Congo is of concern, as many migrants from DRC arrive in the French department in transit through the neighbouring Comoros islands.

The first cholera cases were identified amongst Congolese migrants.

The island identified two mpox cases during the 2022 epidemic, and health authorities were able to test people upon arrival to the island.

Since then, the ARS has set up the capacity to test for mpox locally, rather than sending samples to mainland France for analysis, and the health agency has a stock of vaccines to treat those who were in contact with confirmed or suspected cases.

Mayotte, France’s poorest department, has long been affected by water shortages, a housing crisis and illegal migration.

(with AFP)

Falaeo’s election marks a departure from the leadership of Roch Wamytan, of the pro-independence FLNKS party, who was a prominent critic of France’s management of New Caledonia.  

The first Kanak congress president, Wamytan lost his position by a narrow margin of 26 to 28 votes. 

New Caledonia’s congress was established in 1999 to govern health, tax, roads, welfare and schools. It has 54 councillors who are elected every five years. A vote is held every year to elect the congress’ president.

‘Democracy Maker’

Falaeo’s rise comes at a critical time for New Caledonia, which has been grappling with political instability and social unrest.

It’s seen numerous protests and clashes related to reforms proposed by Paris, which many Kanaks fear could undermine their political influence and independence aspirations.

Falaeo’s party was founded in 2019 to advocate for the Wallisian and Futunian community, which faces under-representation and marginalisation in New Caledonia.

That year Ocean Awakening garnered over 8 percent of the vote in the Southern Province, securing four seats in the Provincial Assembly and three in congress.

Following this success, it’s become a key player in New Caledonian politics, positioning itself as a “democracy maker”.

• Can France solve the economic collapse and unrest plaguing New Caledonia?

New Caledonian TV station NC La 1’ere reported that Falaeo had been supported by anti-independence parties, although her party has not previously belonged to the two traditional blocs.

Falaeo has pledged to pursue a middle-way approach to governance.

In a statement following her election, she emphasised her commitment to fostering a more inclusive and representative congress.

“Oceania is not an ethnic group for us, but a way of life, a way of being, a state of mind, and above all, values that echo those of the republic: respect, equity and solidarity,” she said.

Pro-independence riots

France sent hundreds of police to New Caledonia after voting reforms in May sparked deadly protests by pro-independence Kanak groups.

Kanaks, who make up 41 percent of the population, fear reforms will dilute their vote and make it harder for any future referendum on independence to pass. Paris says the measure is needed to improve democracy by allowing more residents from France to vote.

• New Caledonia’s pro-independence alliance name jailed activist Tein as leader

The reforms have since been suspended by President Emmanuel Macron.

As congress president, Wamytan had been a vocal critic of France’s handling of New Caledonia’s independence movement.

He was particularly outspoken about the recent postponement of a visit by Pacific Island leaders, which he attributed to France’s attempts to control the scope of the fact-finding mission.

This stance further strained relations between the pro-independence factions and the French government.

Azerbaijan meddling claims

Wamytan’s tenure was also marked by controversy, including allegations of foreign meddling.

Several French loyalists, including Nicolas Metzdorf – one of New Caledonia’s representatives in the French National Assembly – called for Wamytan’s replacement after he approved a cooperation agreement between the congress and Azerbaijan, a country often critical of France.

This agreement, along with the arrest and detention in France of Wamytan’s chief of staff for suspected links to recent riots, fuelled tensions within the congress.

Pro-independence parties claim the seven arrested officials, including Wamytan’s chief of staff, are political prisoners, although Wamytan has denied any financial ties between his party and Azerbaijan.

The Normandy native finished in 58 minutes, 1 second – almost three minutes ahead of American Carson Clough and Spain’s Nil Riudavets Victory – who claimed silver and bronze respectively in the men’s PTS4 class triathlon.

Hanquinquant – already number one in World Triathlon Para Rankings – raised his arms in triumph and pointed to his name as the home fans cheered, while the athletes finishing behind him slumped to the ground in exhaustion.

“It was really a perfect race, I even allowed myself the luxury of slowing down on the last lap. The crowd was incredible. I heard ‘Alexis, Alexis’ all the way through,” Hanquinquant said. “Doing it at home is exceptional, I’m so happy, it’s so beautiful”.

Hanquinquant had his right leg amputated just below the knee in 2013, about three years after it was crushed by agricultural equipment in a work accident.

Sport classes PTS2 to 5 are for athletes with limitations in lower or upper limbs who don’t need a handcycle for the cycling segment or a racing chair for the running segment.

Prosthetic legs and bike modifications are allowed.

Four-time world champion claims gold

Earlier in the day, Alsace native Jules Ribstein also won gold for France in the men’s PTS2. As the crowd roared, Ribstein flexed his biceps and slammed his chest as he crossed the finish line.

Overcome with emotion, the four-time world champion broke down in tears in a post-race interview with French TV.

Ribstein finished ahead of Americans Mohamed Lahna and Mark Barr, who were second and third, respectively.

Hailey Danz of the United States won the women’s PTS2 triathlon, compatriot Grace Norman took gold in the women’s PTS5, and Chris Hammer claimed another triathlon victory for the U.S. in the men’s PTS5.

• Dirty water in River Seine forces postponement of para triathlon events
• Seine swimming to return to heart of Paris after century of bans

More medals for Team France

In addition, Frenchmen Thibaut Rigaudeau won silver and Antoine Perel bronze, one after the other, in the same category for visually impaired athletes.

As with the Olympic Games, the para triathlon began with a swimming event in the River Seine.

After the 750m swim, the para-athletes had to cycle 20 kilometres and run 5 kilometres through the streets of Paris – which were more or less crowded with spectators depending on the location – on what was back-to-school Monday. 

The 11 events, which had already been rescheduled, were postponed from Sunday because of concerns about the water in the Seine after rainstorms.

Heavy rains cause wastewater and runoff to flow into the river, leading to a rise in bacteria levels.

(with AP)

“You know, I’m so proud,” Dina Abouzeid beamed. “I’m so proud of the day I said to Mariam: ‘Let’s go for it.'”

In the relief and glow of Bolaji’s bronze, Abouzeid was finally able to take stock of an 11-month tour de force in which she has taken a promising Nigerian teenager from the hurly burly of regional scuffles via a club in northern Spain to the podium at the Paris Paralympics.

Abouzeid can also boast the honour of guiding Africa’s first player to brandish a medal from a badminton tournament at either the Olympic or Paralympic Games. 

Admittedly, badminton doesn’t have an epic heritage at the Games. It was introduced into the Olympics in Barcelona in 1992 and the Paralympics in Tokyo three years ago.

And it was in the prelude to that meeting in Japan that Bolaji suffered yet another bludgeon to her young life.

Nigeria wins Africa’s first Paralympic medal in badminton

Marked by loss

Bolaji was inspired to pursue para badminton under the aegis of Bello Rafiu Oyebanji, her Nigerian coach who died in a traffic accident in the April before the Tokyo Games.

The setback came on top of the loss of both of her parents in a car crash when she was nine and the fall as a six-year-old that was not treated properly and ultimately reduced the mobility in her left leg.

“I think she has struggled so much in life that now, it seems like it is coming good. I think it’s fair enough,” said Abouzeid.

Modesty would forbid the 44-year-old former international badminton player to include her pastoral and professional input into the upward swing.

Reality, though, sings a different hymn.

Last October, Abouzeid was in the Ugandan capital Kampala in her guise as a tutor for the Badminton World Federation (BWF), the sport’s governing body.

“There were coaching classification courses and lots of African coaches from the federation,” Abouzeid recalls.

There were also 15 players from all over Africa for a training camp.

“I was with Mariam on court during the coaching course and I just saw in her a potential. I just told her: ‘Do you know that you’re good?’ And she said: ‘Why don’t you take me to Spain?'”

Medal potential

Abouzeid said Bolaji’s brazenness unsettled her.

“I went to my hotel room but that night I didn’t sleep. I asked myself: how much money would it take to bring her to Spain? How could we do it? I searched for rooms in Spain.

“The next day I talked to the boss at Badminton Africa.”

In that conversation with Jeff Shigoli, Abouzeid outlined the stakes. She told him that the federation possessed a player that could win a medal at the Paris Paralympics.

“I said I did not know the colour of the medal but that she would be there in the mix. And he was like: ‘Oh, I know she’s good, but is she that good?'”

Abouzeid returned to Spain leaving behind instructions for Bolaji to be sent to her at the Just Badminton club in Vitoria, near Bilbao in northern Spain.

Mission

Abouzeid’s mission was to prepare Bolaji for a tournament in Dubai in January 2024 and the world championships in February in Thailand.

Bolaji took the title in Dubai and reached the quarters at the world championships.

She also claimed back-to-back crowns in Spain before the intensive training for the Paralympics.

With the Paralympic bronze secured, there is likely to be easier access to sponsorship funding and marketing opportunities.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen now,” Abouzeid conceded. “I would love to keep on supporting her but she’s from Nigeria and she lives there.

“I could afford three or four months to keep her at Vitoria. But for me it’s a lot of responsibility.

“I’m coaching her because I love the sport and it’s a feeling.

“I know that it’s for her and it’s for a good thing. I told her when she arrived the first time in Vitoria that I’m not rich, but I can share.”

Catalyst for Africa

Bolaji’s surge to bronze as well as her youth are likely to be deployed by the BWF as part of its development drive for the sport in Africa.

“Mariam’s success is huge,” said John Shearer, the BWF’s head of continental development. 

“I’m 100 percent sure this will be a catalyst to more athletes joining para badminton on the African continent.

“We’re already doing a lot of development there to try and provide opportunities for people with disability to access quality badminton experiences.”

Bolaji has promised to stay in the sport and go for gold in 2028 in Los Angeles, where Abouzeid believes she will be even more formidable.

“Mariam is a fighter. And she will learn with more experience how to deal with her stress,” she added.

Refugee athletes send ‘message of hope’ as they head to Paris Paralympics

Part of the family

Bolaji will wend her Paralympic path to the States with the good wishes of Just Badminton.

“In Spain she is a heroine,” said Abouzeid. “Every day since we’ve been here in Paris all my team from the club are on the phone wanting to know how she is doing.

“She’s one of the family.” 

And finally the secret comes out with a winning smile.

“Mariam’s Spanish,” Abouzeid insists. “She’s playing for Nigeria but she’s Spanish. The bronze medal went to Spain.”

Pure pride.

The 18-year-old beat Oksana Kozyna from Ukraine 21-9, 21-9 to claim the para badminton bronze medal in the women’s SL3 category for players with moderate limitation of movement on one side of the body or in both legs, or missing limbs.

“I feel good,” she told RFI. “I’m happy because at least I’m going home with a medal. I’m really pleased.”

On Sunday, following her defeat to Zuxian Xiao in the semi-final, Bolaji held up a picture of her former coach Bello Rafiu Oyebanji, who died in a car crash in 2021 as she was preparing to play at the Tokyo Paralympics.

“I am dedicating the medal to him,” she said. “He will be proud of me because I’m going home with a medal.”

Nigeria’s Bolaji targets para badminton medal in Paris to honour dead coach

Learning from loss

Bolaji was one of the favourites to take the crown in her category, but admitted she had succumbed to the pressure during her semi-final.

“I learned a lot from the loss,” she said. “I was thinking about how to play my match today so that it would be easier for me.

“I was less emotional and I was calmer and much clearer about what I wanted to do.”

Xiao claimed gold with a 22-14, 22-20 victory over the top seed Qonitah Ikhtiar Syakuroh from Indonesia.

Chinese teenagers claim para table tennis doubles crown

In the mixed doubles in the SL3/SU5 category, the French pair Lukas Mazur and Justine Noel beat the Indonesian duo Siripong Teamarrom and Nipada Seansupa 21-14, 21-16 to take the bronze medal.

On Monday afternoon, 25-year-old Mazur will return to the courts to defend his SL4 title against the top seed Suhas Lalinakere Yathiraj from India.

It will be a rematch of their Paralympic showdown three years ago at the Yoyogi National Gymnasium in Tokyo.

The Paralympics, which got underway on Wednesday, are counting on the incredible energy generated during the two weeks of the Olympics, which drew enthusiastic crowds both inside the venues and in the public fan zones around the capital.

One of the largest areas open to the public is at the Hôtel de Ville, or town hall, in the heart of the city.

The building’s ornate stone façade are festooned with banners in the Paris 2024 palette of pale pink, green, beige and shades of blue, while the flagstones of the plaza out front have been covered with bright blue mats, sports equipment and shaded seating areas to welcome around 2,500 people at a time.

Léo, a young instructor who works for the local parasports committee in the greater Paris region, runs workshops in wheelchair basketball and sitting volleyball.

He’s happy to see parasports edging further and further into the limelight, thanks in part to the excitement around the Paris Games.

“I have a twin brother who is disabled so I have always been in contact with parasports. It is very rewarding and nice to see young people with disabilities enjoying sports,” he told RFI.

Requests for workshops to raise awareness in schools and communities have noticeably increased, he says.

Who are the French athletes competing in the Paris Paralympic Games?

A chance to explore

Nearby, teams of kids in red and green jerseys and eye masks are getting instructions on how to play blind football. Some of them are tourists visiting from Slovenia and Germany.

The workshops are run by members of Femix’Sport, an association which promotes diversity and women’s representation in sports federations.

Thiphaine Meriot, the group’s development and communications manager, says that the workshops at the city hall fan zone are an ideal opportunity for people from different social groups to mix – regardless of age and background, and whether or not they have a disability.

She says that people are surprised and curious to learn the rules of blind football, in which visually impaired players seek to score goals guided by a ball with a bell inside.

Only the goalkeeper is allowed to have full sight, while assistants near the goalposts can help give vocal instructions to the other players.

“I thought that blind football was quite well known, but in fact it’s not,” Meriot says. “We can tell that people are not familiar with it, so they discover it here.

“The more we have these kinds of workshops, the more we can help people discover new and challenging sports.”

Accessibility gaps

Not only are the Paralympics a chance to highlight the talents of remarkable athletes, organisers are also hoping to address issues of discrimination, inclusiveness and accessibility in wider society.

Alain, a volunteer at the Games, spends his days scooting around the fan zone in his electric wheelchair, showing visitors around.

Although he is proud to see Paris hosting such a high-profile event, he admits that a lot needs to be done to improve accessibility, especially when it comes to public transport.

“Only the automatised metro line 14 is fully accessible at all stations,” he says, adding that the tram network is in better shape because it was built more recently, while public buses now have special ramps.

But the suburban RER train network is unfortunately lagging behind, he says, as only a few of the stations have been upgraded. These lines serve several Paralympic sites outside the city, such as the equestrian arena at the Château de Versailles.

“Of course we can call on someone [from the station] to help us, but that means that we are not independent. I find that unacceptable in 2024. We should be independent like everyone else,” Alain says.

Paris metro accessibility a ‘weak spot’ ahead of Paralympics

Shifting priorities

A total of 18 of the 35 Olympic venues will be reused during the Paralympics, albeit with minor modifications to better suit parasports.

International Paralympic Committee president Andrew Parsons told French news agency AFP earlier this year he hopes the Paris edition will help make the issues facing people with disabilities a higher global priority.

Parsons said he believes the Games “will have a big impact in how people with disability are perceived around the world”.

He argued that disability had fallen behind sexual and gender identity in recent years.

“We do believe people with disability have been left behind,” he said. “There is very little debate about persons with disability.”

Christian Tein – who considers himself a “political prisoner” – was one of seven pro-independence activists transferred to mainland France in June in a move that sparked renewed violence that has raged across the archipelago and left 11 people dead.

His appointment on Saturday to lead the Kanak Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS) risks complicating efforts to end New Caledonia’s political crisis, sparked in May by a Paris plan for voting reforms that indigenous Kanaks say will thwart their ambitions for independence by leaving them a permanent minority.

• Can New Caledonia’s first female congress president bridge the divide amid civil unrest?

Laurie Humuni of the RDO party – one of four in the FLNKS alliance – said at the weekend that Tein’s nomination was a recognition of his CCAT party’s leading role in mobilising the independence movement.

In a post on X, the FLNKS congress said the move to elect Tein “went back to the origins of the Front by integrating several groups and recognising the CCAT and the struggle of committees as FLNKS [partners]. It was not an election ‘by the UC and the RDO’ but by the 10 components of the Front”.

Discord among FLNKS ranks

It remains unclear if the two other alliance members – the UPM and Palika – supported the move as they had recently refused to participate in the latest FLNKS meeting and indicated they would not support any of its proposals.

The alliance also said it was willing to renew talks to end the protests, but only if local anti-independence parties are excluded.

According to Humuni: “We will have to remove some blockades to allow the population access to essential services, but that does not mean we are abandoning our struggle“.

• New Caledonian activist jailed in France claims to be a ‘political prisoner’
• New Caledonia pro-independence group vows more protests over election reforms

On Thursday, France said it had agreed to terms with Pacific leaders seeking a fact-finding mission to New Caledonia in a bid to resolve the dispute, though a date for the mission has not yet been set.

President Emmanuel Macron’s government has sent thousands of troops and police to restore order in the archipelago, almost 17,000 kilometres from Paris, and the electoral reforms were suspended in June.

Outgoing Education Minister Nicole Belloubet – who visited two schools on Monday – told reporters she was happy with the way things were turning out.

“I don’t deny that here and there, a few teachers are absent, but in the vast majority of situations, the teachers are there and that is fortunate,” she told France Inter radio.

One of the hot topics of the month is the recruitment issue – with 3,000 teaching posts in both public and private sectors not filled.

Despite this confidence, Catherine Nave-Bekhti, of the CFDT Education union says teachers were feeling especially nervous due to the unprecented political crisis and the fact that a new Education Minister has not been named.

Level groups

More than 850,000 teachers returned to their primary, secondary and high schools on Friday, a few days before their students tasked with fine-tuning back-to-school plans.

One of the other challenges they face is organising “level groups” for French and mathematics in middle school classes, a reform launched by outgoing Prime Minister Gabriel Attal when he was Education Minister.

This came after a 2022 Pisa study revealed  a “historic” decline in French students’ proficiency in mathematics and a significant drop in reading comprehension.

Marian Petitfils, a mathematics teacher at a college in the Paris region, told RFI that this policy has been “largely rejected at the ballot box” and criticised by parents and teachers alike.

Karine Nazury, head of a middle school in the Nice academy, agrees that trying to organise smaller groups for struggling students is like a “puzzle” and the resources are not available.

Another issue is the modification to the national exam for the end of middle school known as le brevet.

Attal’s government wanted to make obtaining the diploma (DNB) mandatory to enter senior high school, but the decree has been “suspended”, Belloubet announced on Tuesday.

Attal had also proposed to increase the share of exams in the final result (60 percent instead of 50 percent currently) and to take into account all year subjects in the remaining 40 percent.

Children with disabilities still left out of French schools, activists warn

For Jérôme Fournier of the SE-Unsa teachers’ union, changing the rules during the year would be “unacceptable and unthinkable”.

Belloubet has suggested postponing any changes until the new school year in September 2025.

Phone ban

The outgoing government also chose to implement a ban on mobile phones at school for pupils up to the age of 15, arguing that pupils need a “digital pause” during school times.

The measure will first be tested in a few schools, then could be rolled out nationwide from January.

Almost 200 secondary schools will take part in the experiment, with youngsters required to hand over phones on arrival at reception.

In 2018, a first law banned pupils at primary and secondary schools from using their phones on the premises but allowed them to keep possession of them.

This measure follows the recommendations of the “screens” commission, commissioned by President Emmanuel Macron, but has prompted skepticism from the unions.

Urgent matters

Meanwhile, some 90 schools have volunteered for a full-scale experiment of school uniforms, starting this Monday.

Others will follow in January.

First lady Brigitte Macron, a former drama teacher, has backed the introduction of school uniforms.

But the measure doesn’t have the full support of teachers or parents’ groups nationwide and there is push back over the cost.

French town tests controversial school uniforms

Sophie Vénétitay, Secretary General of the SNES union, told RFI that she is concerned thes topics are overshadowing the real emergencies.

“Today, we don’t know where we’re going, we don’t know who our contacts are and, above all, during this time, the crisis is getting worse,” she said.

She pointed to urgent matters including the question of salaries and working conditions.

“Very quickly, we will need someone to deal with these issues, because we will very quickly discuss the 2025 budget,” she insisted.

Three unions have called for a strike day on 10 September to protest against the proposed reforms.

 (with newswires)

Emmanuel Macron will receive this Monday the former presidents, socialist Francois Hollande and right-wing Nicolas Sarkozy, as well as Bernard Cazeneuve, a former member of the Socialist party and an experienced politician, sources close to Macron said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Macron has been under pressure to end weeks of political deadlock after he called a snap election that delivered an unwieldy hung parliament.

Nicolas Sarkozy said in an interview with right-wing French daily Figaro published on 30 August that he called on the right to unite and govern.

Divisions

Cazeneuve – who was to be hosted at L’Elysée this morning –headed the government under Hollande from December 2016 to May 2017. He left the Socialist party two years ago to protest against its tightening links with far-left France Unbowed (LFI) party.

He is consided by politicians and observers as one of the most likely candidates to lead the new government as he is seen as respected by right-wing parties while still being close to the left.

As well as this brief stint as prime minister at the end of Hollande’s term, Cazeneuve was a minister three times – for European Affairs, Budget and Interior.

The Socialists are divided over this proposition and still wish to name Lucie Castets as prime minister.

Left-wing alliance calls for street protests after Macron rules out leftist PM

“Bernard Cazeneuve is not supported by any of the four left-wing parties in the country,” said LFI coordinator Manuel Bompard.

Meanwhile, LFI deputies published their proposed resolution on Saturday to initiate impeachment proceedings against Macron, accusing him of “serious failure” to fulfil his “duty” by refusing to appoint Castets to Matignon. 

Among the Ecologists-EELV, hostility remains against Cazeneuve, because of the death of activist Rémi Fraisse on the Sivens dam (Tarn), during clashes with the police in 2014, when he was Interior Minister.

Other options 

Macron is also due to meet Xavier Bertrand, a member of the conservative Republicans and president of the Hauts-de-France region, also cited as a potential future prime minister although less frequently than Cazeneuve.

The President is largely said to prefer to appoint a prime minister from the right, hoping to draw the Republicans party into a coalition.

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

Macron’s gamble to call the snap parliamentary election in June backfired, with his centrist coalition losing dozens of seats and no party winning an absolute majority.

The left’s New Popular Front alliance came first but Macron ruled out asking it to form a government after other parties said they would immediately vote it down.

Coalition deadlock

The situation is unprecedented in France. The nation has not known coalition building since Charles de Gaulle changed the constitution in 1958, creating the French Fifth Republic.

Even if the political paralysis continued after the appointment of a new government, Macron could not call a new snap election until July next year under the French constitution.

France’s next prime minister will have the daunting task of trying to drive reforms, and of passing the 2025 budget in October through a hung parliament, while under pressure from the European Commission and bond markets to reduce its deficit.

 (with newswires)

Ayachi Zammel, the leader of a liberal party, was arrested early on Monday morning on suspicion of falsifying endorsements, his campaign team told Reuters news agency.

He was one of only two challengers who saw their applications to stand against Saied approved by Tunisia’s electoral commission, the ISIE.

Fourteen other opposition candidates tried to run, but their bids were denied. 

Three successfully appealed the commission’s decisions in court: former minister Mondher Zenaidi, prominent politician Imed Daimi, and Abdellatif Mekki, former leader of the conservative Islamist party Ennahda.

Yet the ISIE refused to accept the rulings. None of the three featured on its final list of candidates, announced on Monday afternoon.

Dominant power

Aside from Saied, only two other candidates were approved: Zammel and Zouhair Maghzaoui of the pan-Arab, left-wing People’s Movement, who long supported Saied before distancing himself from the president.

Democracy watchdogs have criticised the incumbent’s stranglehold on the country’s institutions – notably on the judiciary.

Bassem Trifi, president of the Tunisian League for Human Rights (LTDH), told RFI’s correspondent in Tunis that the current political climate was unhealthily dominated “by a single power”.

That means the election is not taking place on a level playing field, according to the non-profit organisation, which also decries pressure on the media, the detention of opposition figures and violent political discourse. 

With concerns for the ballot growing, it warns that Tunisia is on the verge of becoming “a vast prison”.

• Tunisian opposition leader sentenced to a further three years in jail

‘Unfree and unfair’

The October election is bound to be “non-transparent, unfree and unfair”, Yosra Frawes, director of the Maghreb and Middle East office at the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), told RFI’s Afrique Midi programme.

Many opposition figures remain in prison, she said, and Tunisia is in the grip of a new “dictatorial” climate.

Last week, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said Tunisian authorities “have prosecuted, convicted or imprisoned at least eight prospective candidates” ahead of the October vote.

Mekki has faced multiple different charges and in August was sentenced to eight months in prison for allegedly faking endorsements. He is appealing the conviction, but remains barred from appearing in the media or leaving his neighbourhood in the southern suburbs of Tunis.

Authorities are also “stifling dissent, especially in the media”, according to Human Rights Watch, which reports that at least five media professionals are currently behind bars for their work or opinions.

According to the National Syndicate of Tunisian Journalists, at least 39 cases have been brought against journalists for their work since May 2023, many under laws against cybercrime and terrorism.

• Tunisia’s presidential race marred by arrests and claims of intimidation

President’s reshuffle

Elected in 2019, Saied has been accused of orchestrating a sweeping power grab since 2021 – when he dismissed his prime minister and parliament.

He had a new constitution approved by referendum in 2022 that created a presidential system with a parliament that has only limited powers.

Last weekend Saied carried out another major government reshuffle, replacing 22 ministers out of the 30 in his government.

The president described his choice as “indispensable” to ensure what he calls “national security”.

Without giving further details, he spoke of “power hubs” within the “Tunisian state apparatus itself” that needed to be dismantled.

Between 2011 and 2020, Dominique P., a 71-year-old former employee with electricity provider EDF, allegedly incited more than 70 men to rape his wife while she lay unconscious at their home. 

Of the 72 suspects, 50 have been identified and are standing trial. They face up to 20 years in prison.

They include civil servants, soldiers, firefighters, prison guards, truck drivers, a journalist and municipal councillor.

The men, aged 21 to 68 at the time, were recruited via an online sex forum called “Without her knowing”.

The victim, a woman in her early 70s who wishes to remain anonymous, will attend the trial and face her alleged rapists for the first time.

According to her lawyer, she has no memory of the rapes and discovered what had happened to her only at the time of her husband’s arrest.

Sexual assaults videoed

Dominique P. was arrested in September 2020 after he was found using a pen with a hidden camera to spy on women in changing cubicles in a shopping centre in the town of Carpentras.

When police searched his home in a nearby village they found numerous videos and photos of his wife, visibly unconscious and often in the foetal position, being raped by different men.

Police also found conversations on an online platform, coco.gg, where Dominique P. invited people to come and take advantage of his wife. The site, denounced by authorities as a “den of predators”, was closed down by the courts in June.

The images found on his camera phone and computer allowed police to identify 92 acts of rape by 72 men.

One of the accused, a fireman, was shown wearing his uniform during the assault. Prosecutors say his computer contained 728 images of children being sexually abused.

Top French court rejects rape charges against firefighters in child abuse case

Dominique P. is currently in prison in Avignon charged with aggravated rape and administering drugs to sedate his wife.

He admits to having sometimes put powerful anti-anxiety drugs in his wife’s evening meal without her knowledge.

Some of his co-defendants claim they had no idea the victim had not consented and that they believed they were participating in the fantasies of a libertine couple. One denied it was rape, telling investigators: “It’s his wife, he does what he likes with her.”

‘Everyone knew’

The majority of the accused had sex with the victim on one occasion, and 10 of them several times.

Dominique P. maintains “everyone knew” his wife was being drugged without her consent.

While the victim’s lack of consent has been established – experts describing her state as “closer to a coma than sleep” –  the court will have to rule on how aware the co-defendants were of that at the time.

Prosecutors maintain everyone had free will and could have left the scene. Dominique P. claims only three of the accused did not go through with the sexual act.

Macron vows to integrate ‘consent’ into French legislation on sexual assault

Dominique P. claims to have been raped by a nurse when he was nine years old. His lawyer says he is ready to “face his wife and family”.

Separately, the chief defendant has been accused of murder and rape in a case dating back to 1991 – a charge he denies.

He has admitted to charges of attempted rape from 1999 after DNA tests proved he was the perpetrator.

The Alternative for Germany (AfD) became the first far-right party to win a state legislature election in Germany since World War Two with its result in weekend voting in Thuringia.

It came a close second behind the conservatives in Saxony, projections late on Sunday showed.

But the AfD, deemed “right-wing extremist” by security officials in both of the east German states, is unlikely to be able to govern as other parties have so far refused to collaborate with it to form a majority.

Still, the nationalist, anti-migration and Russia-friendly party could end up with enough seats in both states to block decisions requiring a two-thirds majority such as the appointment of judges or top security officials, giving it unprecedented power.

“The results for the AfD in Saxony and Thuringia are worrying,” Scholz said in a statement to the Reuters new agency. He clarified he was talking as a lawmaker for his centre-left Social Democrats (SPD).

“Our country cannot and must not get used to this. The AfD is damaging Germany. It is weakening the economy, dividing society and ruining our country’s reputation.”

Immigration a key issue

With a year to go until Germany‘s national election, the results on Sunday punished Scholz’s fractious coalition, which could aggravate infighting.

All three ruling parties lost votes, with only his SPD comfortably clearing the 5 percent threshold needed to stay in the two states’ parliaments.

Populist leftist newcomer, the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW), founded by a former member of the East German Communist Party, did better than all of three coalition partners in its first state elections, coming in third place.

Far right to seek greater influence in EU parliament

“Sunday’s election results are bitter – for us too,” Scholz said. But he noted that the more dire predictions, that the SPD might fall out of a state parliament for the first time, had not materialised.

Junior coalition partners the Greens and pro-business Free Democrats both fell out of the Thuringia state assembly.

Sunday’s results could also pressure the government to be tougher on immigration and intensify the debate over support for Ukraine, issues that dominated the campaign.

 (Reuters)

Around 3.7 billion people live in areas that contribute less than 3 percent of global water quality data. This data gap is particularly concerning, as it hampers the ability to manage critical issues such as droughts, floods and pollution, a recent UN Environment report found.

Fewer than 4,500 lake quality measurements are available out of nearly 250,000 needed, highlighting the extent of the data shortage.

Recent years have seen widespread degradation of freshwater ecosystems.

Between 2015 and 2019, 61 percent of countries reported that at least one type of freshwater ecosystem was in a degraded state.

Although this figure decreased to 31 percent between 2017 and 2021, newly available data suggests that the proportion of countries with degraded ecosystems may still be around 50 percent, the UN said.

• French food authority finds traces of banned pesticide in drinking water
• Tap water undrinkable in a quarter of French towns and cities

Monitoring programmes

This environmental damage is affecting 90 countries, particularly in Africa, Central Asia and Southeast Asia.

Key contributors to the decline include pollution, dam construction, land conversion, over-extraction of water and the impacts of climate change.

Addressing the decline in freshwater quality requires improved data collection and monitoring.

​​​​To help fill the data gap, UN experts recommend the expansion of government-funded monitoring programmes and suggests leveraging satellite-based Earth observation technologies and projection models to enhance data accuracy.

In France, recent issues highlight the urgency of addressing water quality.

Traces of banned pesticides have been detected in drinking water, and a quarter of French towns and cities are reported to have undrinkable tap water.

Turkish foreign minister Hakan Fidan described August’s second round of indirect talks in Ankara between his Ethiopian and Somali counterparts as constructive and positive.

“We were able to focus on the details and technicalities of concrete steps that are important convergences on some major principles and specific modalities”, Fidan said.

“This constitutes notable progress.”

While there was no breakthrough, all sides agreed to meet again in September.

Controversial deal 

Ethiopian-Somali tensions have escalated since January, when Ethiopia signed a memorandum of understanding with Somaliland, a breakaway state from Somalia.

Under the agreement, Ethiopia would secure sea access in exchange for recognising Somaliland, a deal condemned by Somalia as an infringement on its territorial integrity.

“Ethiopia needs access to a coastline”, said Dubai-based geopolitical consultant Norman Ricklefs.

“It’s the second-largest country in Africa. It’s a booming economy. And, somehow, that deal needs to be made, but it’s not going to be easy because of the previous deal earlier this year with Somaliland.”

Ricklefs predicts that finding a solution will require considerable diplomatic finesse.

“It’s not going to be easy to convince the Somalis to grant that [Ethiopian demands], feeling that they’re under pressure right now because of the deal that was previously done with Somaliland,” he said.

“But I think Turkey is probably best placed, as they have a very close relationship with both Ethiopia and Somalia.”

Somalia recently threatened to block access to Ethiopian Airlines in the latest bout of diplomatic tensions. Meanwhile, Egypt could reportedly deploy soldiers to Somalia, a move that threatens to further escalate and broaden tensions, given existing Ethiopian-Egyptian conflicts.

Ethiopia and Somalia move closer to resolving Somaliland dispute

Deepening influence

The situation between Somalia and Ethiopia is expected to be discussed during Wednesday’s summit in Turkey, where Egyptian President Sisi and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan are set to meet.

Africa expert Elem Eyrice-Tepecikoglu from the African studies department of Ankara’s Social Sciences University said Turkey’s historical and deepening economic and military ties with both Somalia and Ethiopia give it an advantageous position in its mediating efforts.

“Somalia has a very important place in Turkey’s Africa policy. Turkey has established its largest embassy in Somalia’s capital, and it also established its largest military training facility, again in Somalia,” said Tepecikoglu.

“But Turkey also has old and established relations with Ethiopia as well. There are several investments of Turkish companies in the country, and Turkey also signed a military cooperation agreement with Ethiopia. Reportedly, Turkish drones were used against the Tigray rebel forces.”

Growing military buildup in Azerbaijan and Armenia a concern for peace talks

Economic, military stakes

Earlier this year, the Somali parliament ratified a naval agreement with Turkey to protect its territorial waters and a deal to search for hydrocarbons. Turkey is second only to China in investment in Ethiopia, including selling its military-proven drones.

Analysts suggest that there is more than diplomatic prestige at stake for Ankara in resolving Ethiopian-Somali tensions, given the region’s potential and geostrategic importance as a critical world trading route.

“There’s a reason why the Horn of Africa has American military bases and Chinese military bases. The Japanese even have a base in that area. All of them think the Horn of Africa is a pretty significant region for global shipping,” Ricklefs said.

“It’s a region that has not been developed. It has hydrocarbon resources and other resources like agricultural resources that have not been developed and would need networks and infrastructure that a country like Turkey could provide if there was security and stability.”

Ethiopian and Somali talks are set to resume in September. Success would underline Turkey’s growing influence in a region of increasing international competition, while failure could threaten two decades of Turkish investment in the region.

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 12 September. We expect to be bombarded with entries from the English speakers!

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

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 counseled 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.  Please keep checking our website for updates on the latest from our excellent 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. N.B.: You do not need to send her your quiz answers! Email overload!

This week’s quiz: On 6 July, I asked you a question about France’s snap legislative elections, called by President Emmanuel Macron after his centrist party was severely trounced by the far-right National Rally Party in the European legislative elections.

The first round of voting was on 30 June; voter turnout was quite high. You were to consult RFI English journalist Jessica Phelan’s article “The three-way factor that makes France’s election results so unusual” and send in the answer to these two questions: What was voter turnout on Sunday 30 June, and in which year was it last that high? 

The answer is: As Jessica wrote in her article: “The last three parliamentary elections have seen turnout of roughly 48 percent (2022), 49 percent (2017) and 57 percent (2012) in the first round, which effectively meant parties had to win a higher share of ballots cast to get across the threshold.

On the 30th of June turnout reached almost 67 percent – its highest since 1997.”

In addition to the quiz question, there was the bonus question: “Given unlimited resources, what scientific or medical problem would you investigate, and why?”

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

The winners are: RFI Listeners Club member Lata Akhter Jahan from Bogura, Bangladesh. Lata is also the winner of this week’s bonus question. Congratulations, Lata, on your double win.

Also on the list of lucky winners this week are Ras Franz Manko Ngogo, the president of the Kemogemba RFI Club in Tarima, Tanzania, and Nirupa Bain, a member of the RFI Pariwer Bandhu Shortwave Club in Chhattisgarh, India.

Last but not least, two RFI Listeners Club members: Sakawat Hossain from Sylhet, Bangladesh, and Solomon Fessahazion from Asmara, Eritrea.

Congratulations winners!

Here’s the music you heard on this week’s program: “Polovtsian Dances” from the opera Prince Igor by Alexander Borodin, arranged for marimba ensemble by Fumito Nunoya and performed by the Nunoya Marimba Ensemble; “I’ve Got Rhythm” by George Gershwin, performed by Django Reinhardt and the Quintette du Hot Club de France; “The Flight of the Bumblebee” by Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov; “The Cakewalk” from Children’s Corner by Claude Debussy, performed by the composer, and  “Un jour tu verras” by Georges van Parys and Marcel Mouloudji, sung by Mouloudji.

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 “Paralympic torch arrives in France ahead of opening ceremony”, which will help you with the answer.

You have until 23 September to enter this week’s quiz; the winners will be announced on the 28 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.

Click here to learn how to 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,  

Azerbaijan showcased its military might in a grand parade in Baku last year to celebrate its victory in recapturing the Nagorno-Karabakh enclave from Armenian-backed forces.

Azerbaijan, buoyed by its oil wealth, is continuing its aggressive rearmament programme, heavily relying on Turkey for military support.

“The Turkish defence industry and Turkish military equipment will be providing further arms to protect Azerbaijan,” predicts Huseyin Bagci, a professor of international relations at Ankara’s Middle East Technical University.”

However, Bagci noted that Azerbaijan is also turning to another ally for advanced weaponry.

“Israel is much better in this respect. Azerbaijan buys the highest technology from Israel, and Israel is providing it.”

Turkish and Israeli arms played a crucial role in Azerbaijan’s recent military successes, overwhelming Armenian-backed forces that relied on outdated Russian equipment.

Armenia’s response

In response to its loss of Nagorno-Karabakh, Armenia is also ramping up its military capabilities, with France leading the supply of new, sophisticated weaponry.

Paris argues that this support helps Armenia shift its focus away from Russian reliance and towards Western alliances.

Yerevan maintains that its rearmament is purely for self-defence.

“Right now, there is no military parity between Armenia and Azerbaijan,” says Eric Hacopian, a political consultant in Armenia.

“The goal is to create deterrents to make any aggression against Armenia more costly. In the medium term, we aim for equality, and in the long term, superiority.”

Stalled peace talks

The rearmament comes amid stalled peace talks, with Baku concerned that Yerevan’s military buildup might indicate ambitions to retake Nagorno Karabakh.

“The truth is our territory was under occupation, so we worry that in five, 10 years, Armenia will rearm its military, strengthen military capacities, and will come back,” warned Farid Shafiyev, chairman of the Baku-based Centre of Analysis of International Relations.

Yerevan maintains that its rearmament is purely for self-defence.

“Right now, there is no military parity between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The goal is to create deterrents in the short run to make any aggression against Armenia far more costly than it has been in the past,” says Eric Hacopian, a political consultant in Armenia.

“Two is to create equality in the middle term and in the long term superiority. You can’t have any other goal when your country is constantly under threat, or attack is the only way to respond to it.”

Hacopian also notes: “The moment Armenia can defend itself, then the game is up because Ilham Aliyev is not going to risk a war that he is not guaranteed to win; Armenia rearming means he is not guaranteed to win a war which he means he won’t launch one.”

However, Hacopian acknowledges that the coming year will be dangerous for the region as Yerevan seeks to close the military gap with Azerbaijan.

“Next year is the year of living dangerously because next year is the last year that they can do a major aggression against Armenia without having to face the consequences because the gap is closing. Once it closes, the game will be up,” he says.

Ongoing tensions

Earlier this month, Armenian and Azerbaijani forces exchanged fire in a border skirmish, underscoring the ongoing tensions between the two nations.

Both Baku and Yerevan insist their military enhancements are for defensive purposes.

However, Bagci warns that the arms race is turning the region into a potential flashpoint.

“Armenia and Azerbaijan are like two children; they play with fire, and the house is burning, and everybody is asking the big powers why the house is burning and who has done it. They have done it together,” he says.

Despite their rearmament, both Armenia and Azerbaijan claim to remain committed to the US-backed peace process.

Analysts, however, warn that the escalating arms race could deepen mutual suspicions and further complicate efforts to achieve lasting peace.

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 12 September. We expect to be bombarded with entries from the English speakers!

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

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 counseled 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.  Please keep checking our website for updates on the latest from our excellent 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. N.B.: You do not need to send her your quiz answers! Email overload!

This week’s quiz: On 29 June, I asked you a question about France’s snap elections for the lower house of Parliament, the National Assembly. President Emmanuel Macron had just dissolved the Assembly after his party was rather severely trounced in the European Parliament elections by the far-right National Rally party.

The first round of voting was on 30 June, and the candidates were, as I noted then, promising the moon to voters … you were to listen to Sarah Elzas’ report on her Spotlight on France podcast, and send in the answer to this question: What did the National Rally party say they would do in July to decide what they can or cannot do, as far as their economic promises to the voters?

The answer is: As Romeric Godin told Sarah on the podcast: “Many of the spending proposals put forward by Bardella and the RN are predicated on an audit of the country’s finances, planned as of July, which would determine what can (and cannot) be done.

“That’s a traditional way to say ‘We can’t implement some promises we made before, because public finances are not in order’,” says Godin, skeptical that the RN will be able to deliver.

For Godin, the economic audit offers a way out: “They can say that if the report on France’s public finances is very bad, they will not do it in the autumn, or at all.”

The fiscal information is all there, no audit is necessary.  France’s Cour des Comptes, the country’s independent and supreme audit institution, publishes a monthly report on the country’s finances. It’s not a secret document. It’s online, and everyone can read it.

In addition to the quiz question, there was the bonus question: “What do you remember about your first day at your first job?”, which was suggested by Mokles Uddin Mollahis from Bogura, Bangladesh.

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

The winners are: RFI English listener Rafiq Khondaker, the president of the Source of Knowledge Club in Naogaon, Bangladesh. 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 Hans Verner Lollike from Hedehusene, Denmark. Last but not least, there are RFI English listeners Liton Ahamed Mia, from Naogaon, Bangladesh, and Malik Muhammad Nawaz Khokhar from the Sungat Radio Listeners Club in Muzaffargarh, Pakistan. 

Congratulations winners!

Here’s the music you heard on this week’s program: “Sous le ciel de Paris” by Hubert Giraud and Jean Dréjac, sung by the one and only Edith Piaf; the traditional valse-musette “A Happy Day in Paris” performed by AccordionMan; “The Flight of the Bumblebee” by Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov; “The Cakewalk” from Children’s Corner by Claude Debussy, performed by the composer, and “Hymne à l’Amour” by Marguerite Monnot and Edith Piaf, sung by Céline Dion.

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

This week’s question … you must listen to the show to participate.

You have until 16 September to enter this week’s quiz; the winners will be announced on the 21 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.

Click here to learn how to 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,  

In a world increasingly dominated by Western beauty standards promoted through pop culture and the global beauty industry, the Decolonising Beauty campaign seeks to challenge narrow perceptions and showcase the multifaceted beauty traditions in Africa.

The campaign uses a multi-platform approach to reach a broad audience of English and French speakers in Africa and around the world.

A series of initiatives from the campaign will be announced until the end of the year involving photographers, artists, poets, media makers and content creators.

Zikora Media & Arts founder Chika Oduah tells us more.

• Read also: French lawmakers vote in favour of bill to ban hair discrimination

Episode mixed by Cécile Pompéani

Spotlight on Africa is a podcast from Radio France Internationale

Abbas received a standing ovation in the Turkish Parliament on Thursday, where he addressed an extraordinary session. Deputies wore scarves adorned with Turkish and Palestinian flags as a show of solidarity.

With Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan watching from the balcony, Abbas praised Turkey’s unwavering support for the Palestinian cause.

“We highly appreciate Turkey’s pioneering role under the leadership of President Erdogan for its courageous and unwavering positions in defense of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people to freedom and independence,” declared Abbas.

Increasing isolation

Erdogan is attempting to position himself at the forefront of international opposition to Israel’s war on Hamas in Gaza, even as Turkey finds itself increasingly sidelined from global efforts to resolve the conflict.

China’s recent hosting of Palestinian faction leaders highlights Erdogan’s diminishing influence.

“Erdogan was hoping to reconcile Palestinian factions, but China stole the spotlight and acted preemptively. China had more political clout over the parties,” Selin Nasi, a visiting fellow at the London School of Economics contemporary Turkish studies department, told RFI.

Abbas’s visit to Russia on Tuesday further underscores the growing importance of other nations in efforts to address the Gaza conflict.

Domestic message

Erdogan’s invitation to Abbas also serves as a way to reinforce his pro-Palestinian credentials with his domestic conservative base.

“He’s trying to keep his base intact domestically,” Sezin Oney, a commentator on Turkey’s Politikyol news portal, told RFI.

“Once upon a time, Erdogan resonated with the Arab public in general.

“The Arab Street, as it was called back then, and the Muslim population in general saw him as connected with international grassroots movements. But he doesn’t have that appeal anymore; he’s lost that appeal.”

Turkey a bridge?

Erdogan has long claimed to be a bridge between the Palestinian Authority and Hamas.

“This is an issue that Erdogan personally invested a lot of time and energy in,” said Selin Nasi.

However, Erdogan’s influence with Hamas has waned, particularly after the assassination of its leader Ismail Haniyeh last month, and his replacement by Yahya Sinwar, who is relatively unknown in Turkey.

“They cannot host [Sinwar], they cannot contact him, nor do they have the kind of relations that they had with Haniyeh. So they have to settle with Mahmoud Abbas at this point,” Oney said.

Abbas, however, appears to show little interest in Turkey’s playing a larger role in resolving the conflict, and Erdogan’s strong support of Hamas and his fiery rhetoric against Israel is increasingly isolating him from countries seeking to end the fighting.

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.