The World This Week

In this edition, we look at rare wartime demonstrations in Ukraine protesting the ousting of Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. After six months on the job, he has been credited with making a difference both on the battlefield and in an anti-corruption drive. However, he had reportedly clashed with Ukraine’s commander-in-chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi, over how the war should be waged. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he had to choose a side for the sake of unity during a wider government reshuffle. The timing is difficult for Kyiv’s war effort, taking place in the middle of its "40-day influence operation" of relentless strikes on Russian refineries and hitting ships in the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea. It has also been another week fighting for supremacy in the Strait of Hormuz between Iran and the US. A month has passed since the Memorandum of Understanding was signed, with US President Trump proclaiming, "Ships of the world, start your engines, let the oil flow!" He has since said the deal is over while, paradoxically, saying he’ll let the negotiating teams continue talking. Petrol prices worldwide have spiked again, and we are hearing familiar rhetoric from the belligerents, with Trump again threatening to knock out Iran’s power plants and bridges, and Tehran claiming it will "crush every US interest that’s still intact in the Middle East". Turning to the UK, both British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the England team have bowed out, with each receiving similar exit feedback. They weren’t creative, bold or positive enough. Andy Burnham will step in to take Starmer’s job officially next week. We discuss whether he will fare better than his predecessor. Produced by Gavin Lee, Alessandro Xenos, Théo Vareille, Daniel Whittington and Laura Burloux

17/07/2026 • 46:50

It’s been a week of shifting alliances, escalating tensions and political drama. NATO leaders gathered in Turkey for a pivotal summit, where President Trump arrived questioning the alliance’s unity before leaving in a markedly warmer mood, as attention also turned to his relationship with President Zelensky and the future of Western support for Ukraine. In the Middle East, Iran held days of public mourning for its late Supreme Leader, while fresh exchanges with the United States cast further doubt on hopes for a lasting ceasefire. In France, Marine Le Pen’s political fortunes were transformed by a landmark appeal court ruling that revived her presidential ambitions. And on the football pitch, Les Bleus moved a step closer to a third World Cup title as Kylian Mbappé hit back at racist abuse from a Paraguayan senator. Produced by Gavin Lee, Alessandro Xenos, Rebecca Gnignati, Guillaume Gougeon and Laura Burloux

10/07/2026 • 47:11

From intensifying drone warfare between Ukraine and Russia to mounting fears of a humanitarian catastrophe in Sudan, anti-immigration protests in South Africa and a landmark ruling by the US Supreme Court, this week has been shaped by conflicts over power, identity and international law. In Russia, long queues formed at petrol stations after Ukrainian drone strikes targeted oil refineries and fuel infrastructure. Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged the attacks were "creating problems", saying strategic reserves were being used and that restrictions on diesel exports were under consideration, though he insisted that the situation was "not critical". The disruption follows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's launch of a 40-day campaign of deep strikes against Russian energy facilities aimed at increasing pressure on the Kremlin. At the same time, Russia unleashed one of its largest aerial assaults on Kyiv since the start of the war, firing 74 missiles and some 500 drones during an 11-hour bombardment that killed at least 30 people and struck residential buildings. Our panel examines the military balance, the diplomatic calculations on both sides and whether Russia risks entering what some analysts describe as a "drowning man syndrome" – escalating further as its strategic options narrow. We also turn our attention to Sudan, where the humanitarian situation in El-Obeid is rapidly deteriorating. Around half a million civilians are effectively trapped as paramilitary group the Rapid Support Forces tighten their encirclement of the city. Military analysts warn that a major ground offensive could be imminent, while the United Nations says dwindling food supplies and damage to essential infrastructure are placing civilians at grave risk. Amnesty International has warned that the siege mirrors the tactics used during the capture of El-Fasher and is calling for the urgent deployment of an international protection force to prevent what it describes as another potential "stain on the conscience of humanity".

03/07/2026 • 47:52

Political change in Britain has dominated the headlines this week with Keir Starmer’s resignation paving the way for Andy Burnham to become prime minister, while the country also marks 10 years since the Brexit vote. Also, fresh peace talks between the US and Iran have begun amid continuing tensions and sharply different accounts of progress from both sides. In Venezuela, the country’s strongest earthquakes in more than a century have left hundreds dead, with rescue efforts continuing and fears that the death toll will rise. Across Europe, record-breaking heat has pushed temperatures to new highs and sparked a political row in France over the role of air conditioning in a warming climate. Produced by Gavin Lee, Nicholas Rushworth, Andrew Hilliar, Guillaume Gougeon and Laura Burloux

26/06/2026 • 49:02

This week, an interim peace agreement was signed between the US and Iran, bringing a temporary end to the conflict and the beginning of a 60-day window to negotiate the many unresolved issues between the two sides.  US President Donald Trump signed the Memorandum of Understanding over a dinner at the Palace of Versailles, and before he'd had time to digest his dessert of hot chocolate pie and French vanilla ice cream, there were already grumblings within the Republican Party that a military win had been turned into a strategic defeat. Iran's supreme leader claimed Trump had made a deal out of desperation, but it was bravo and cheers at the Château. It's also been a week's that's seen the leaders of the G7 nations meet lakeside in Geneva. The summit was in Evian, five decades on from the inaugural meeting in France that focused on how to deal with the global economic turbulence in the aftermath of the oil crisis of 1973. France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the US were back, alongside Canada. This year, some other handpicked leaders were invited: the prime ministers of India and Kenya, the presidents of Brazil, Turkey, Egypt and the UAE, the emir of Qatar, and also new faces at the table: the bosses of big tech. Canada's Mark Carney said the old ritual gathering is useful for weaving the strands of a new world order through broader engagement, but the G7 no longer pretends to run the world. Finally, it's been a week that's seen President Volodymyr Zelensky secure renewed Western commitment at the G7, with European leaders talking of an apparent renewed focus and tone from Trump. This time last year, he compared the war to two boys fighting in a park. "Sometimes you're better off leaving them to it," he said. This week, he put his name to a joint statement declaring "unwavering support" for Ukraine and backed calls for increased pressure on Russia. And while the US president stopped short of criticising Putin, he said Moscow should make a deal.

19/06/2026 • 46:27

This week began with US President Donald Trump pronouncing that a ceasefire extension was so close with Iran, two or three days max, that it would only take an hour to finalise. Hours later, Tehran downed a US Apache helicopter off the Gulf of Oman, with the crew rescued from the sea. The attack was reportedly an attempt to deter the US's evolving efforts to increase air patrols that target Iranian drones in order to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.  Two nights of US military strikes across Iran followed, with counter attacks from the Iranian regime in strikes on US bases in Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan. By Thursday, Trump warned of hard attacks to come by nightfall, declaring a plan to capture Iran's Kharg Island in the not-too-distant future, but the threat to strike was called off. Trump claimed the Iranian leadership had blinked and approved the final points of a ceasefire extension. Iran's regime has said no final decision has been made.  It's also been a second week of mass demonstrations in Albania. What started as an environmental movement against plans by Trump's family to build a luxury resort has snowballed into a wider political movement expanding by the day and even calling for the Albanian prime minister to resign. Demonstrators are calling it the "Flamingo Revolution", after the species native to the protected coastline where Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump are leading a consortium to create a multi-billion-dollar hotel project, also eyeing up the idyllic state-owned island of Sazan. Protests have increased since construction work started and Ivanka gave a podcast interview on how she was wanted to develop it since being captivated by the island after hiking up the island barefoot. Demonstrators say there is no transparency. US senator Bernie Sanders waded in stateside, calling it "Albanians versus the Global Oligarchy". The Albanian prime minister claims online bots by a hostile state are magnifying the anger and that an environmental assessment is still underway, while the European Commission reminded Albania not to take action that could undermine its EU aspirations. Finally, it's been a week that's seen riots in Belfast triggered by a brutal late-night street stabbing. The suspect is a Sudanese migrant granted leave to remain in the UK for five years. Video of the attack went viral within hours, showing a sustained assault on a man in his 40s and bystanders rushing in, one using a wooden hurling stick to drive the attacker back. Two nights of unrest followed and what began as calls to protest the attack quickly turned into anti-immigration riots, amplified online. Addresses linked to migrant and asylum seeker housing were shared on social media. Bricks were thrown through windows, cars set alight, walls graffitied with the words "local houses for local people." It's led to renewed debate over immigration enforcement, and how to counter potential dog-whistle politics or underlying racism while dealing with genuine concerns. Produced by Gavin Lee, Andrew Hilliar, Alessandro Xenos and Daniel Whittington.

12/06/2026 • 47:42

This week, a renewed ceasefire was proclaimed between Israel and Lebanon; a deal that hinges on the complete cessation of attacks from the Iranian-backed militants Hezbollah and withdrawal from the south of the country. But 24 hours later, Hezbollah rejected the agreement that is closely tied to the wider temperamental talks between Iran and the US, with the Iranian regime threatening to abandon negotiations with Washington over the events in Lebanon and growing occupation by Israeli forces, including the capture of a medieval crusader castle on Sunday.  We also heard this week that US President Donald Trump picked up the phone to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and swore at him, telling him to pull back, stop derailing the talks and reportedly adding: "Everybody hates you now". It's also been a week that's seen Ukraine make an unwelcome appearance at the opening of Russia's World Economic Forum in St Petersburg, with drones setting the port's oil terminal and a nearby warship on fire as it underwent maintenance, just hours before President Vladimir Putin played host to representatives of 130 countries with 20 delegates that included a US representative for the first time in years. Meanwhile, the ferocity of Moscow's aerial campaign against Ukraine has not let up. Yet the Institute for the Study of War says recent Ukrainian counterattacks “are generating tactical, operational and strategic effects that could disrupting Russia's summer offensive”. Speaking in Kyiv this week, the NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte claimed the casualties for Moscow were historic. And just one week away from the World Cup, teams have been arriving in the US, Mexico and Canada. The Brazilian plane was said to have been sprayed with holy water as it touched down in New Jersey. The South African squad were met by a Mexican Mariachi band in Pachuca, while Cape Verde's team had a sing and a dance on the plane as they arrived in Boston. Produced by Gavin Lee, Maya Yataghene, Alessandro Xenos and Daniel Whittington

05/06/2026 • 47:38

It's been a week where, 90 days into the conflict and ceasefire stand-off with Iran, both Tehran and Washington are insisting time is on their side – each claiming the other needs a deal more urgently. Pressure is growing on the Trump administration with soaring energy prices and midterm elections approaching, while Iran is reportedly losing huge oil revenues with tankers backed up in port. Reports suggested a temporary agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz was close, before the US struck Iran's southern coast, calling it self-defence against mine-laying boats and drone launch sites. Tehran threatened retaliation, US bases in Kuwait were targeted within hours, and talks over a wider deal continue. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israeli operations in Lebanon will intensify despite the supposed truce, with more than 120 air strikes launched in a single day and Beirut hit again for the first time in weeks. The UN has described the scale of destruction as horrific. We also discuss the crisis in Bolivia, where protesters are calling for the resignation of President Rodrigo Paz. Meanwhile in Scotland, Peter Murrell, the former chief executive of the SNP and ex-husband of Nicola Sturgeon, has pled guilty to embezzling party funds, having spent them on what police described as a lavish lifestyle he couldn't afford. We also discuss the situation in Spain, where the ruling Socialist Party faces several court cases ⁠involving allegations of graft, ​influence peddling and other crimes that have implicated members of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's inner circle. Produced by Gavin Lee, Théophille Vareille, Emmanuel Miculita, Guillaume Gougeon, Alessandro Xenos and Laura Burloux

29/05/2026 • 49:21

It's been a week marked by major geopolitical and cultural developments across several fronts, from Beijing to Havana to Cannes.  In the Chinese capital Beijing, Russian President Vladimir Putin made a rare visit to see Xi Jinping, with a carefully staged ceremony and renewed pledges of "unyielding relations", while Ukraine reported continued deep-strike drone operations inside Russian territory. In Washington, the Trump administration indicted 94-year-old former Cuban president Raúl Castro over alleged murder and conspiracy to kill US nationals, linked to the 1990s downing of two civilian aircraft. It's a move officials describe as long-delayed justice, but which critics see as part of a wider push on regime change. And there has been an uproar in the French film industry over Vincent Bolloré, a right-wing billionaire tycoon, the owner of Canal+, and with it, Studio Canal, Europe's largest film production company. On Sunday, at the Cannes Film Festival, Canal+ CEO Maxime Saada dropped a bombshell. He said the company would no longer work with more than 600 French cinema professionals who had signed a petition entitled "Switch off Bolloré", criticising the tycoon, warning about his growing control and calling for mobilisation against what they claimed was his attempt to lead a far-right "civilisational project" throughout French media.  Produced by Gavin Lee, Alessandro Xenos, Antonia Cimini, Guillaume Gougeon and Laura Burloux

22/05/2026 • 47:00

This week has seen the world's superpowers take centre stage with US President Donald Trump in Beijing for the first state visit of a US leader in almost a decade. With tensions over trade, technology and Taiwan, what stayed tacitly implied was the deeper, more difficult question of whether the two alpha powers of world order can share the 21st century. Or is confrontation ultimately unavoidable? Chinese President Xi Jinping has long indicated that he wants China to be the number one military, economic and political force by 2049. But it was flattery and fanfare, smiles and waves in the Great Hall of the People. Trump had vowed to make China pay for "ripping us off like no one has ever done before". But after a banquet of Beijing roast duck and crispy beef ribs, Trump toasted his great rival with the words "You're a great leader. I say it to everybody." But on the question of Taiwan, no comment. It's been a week of will-they-won't-they, watch and wait in Westminster as a leadership challenge seemed likely against the British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, a week on from the worst local elections result in history for the ruling Labour Party. Starmer dug his heels in while rumours spread of cabinet unrest and private calls for him to go. Downing Street insisted bigger issues were at hand than party navel-gazing, like Iran and Ukraine. But once the pomp of the king's speech was over, including a heckle of "Not now Andy!", as Black Rod knocked to enter parliament, it was back to the question of political succession: will it be Wes, Angela or the aforementioned Andy knocking at the Downing Street door? Wes Streeting resigned from cabinet, and with Angela Rayner looking to be back in the frame, for Andy Burnham it's a question of plotting a route back to parliament, while the carry on continues. It's also been a week where French President Emmanuel Macron has been on the move in Africa: jogging through the streets of Alexandria and taking morning runs in Nairobi with an Olympic marathon champion. He's being playing football in the Kenyan capital too, living his best life according to the French paper Libération. He'll need to master the diplomatic equivalent of the Cruyff Turn to succeed in his quest to pivot French interests away from its former colonies, to carve out a new sphere of relevance in anglophone Africa, where he was playing co-host at the Africa Forward summit in Kenya, and investing €14 billion, an ambitious reorientation in a fiercely competitive market dominated by China.  Produced by Gavin Lee, Andrew Hilliar, Daniel Whittington, Emmanuel Miculita, Alessandro Xenos, Guillaume Gougeon and Laura Burloux.

15/05/2026 • 47:19

This week has seen renewed hope for ending the war in Iran, 10 weeks since it started, with four weeks of stalemate, a ceasefire and skirmishes over the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Intermittent peace talks have boiled down to a 14-point, one-page "memorandum of understanding", crafted by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, which has been sent to Pakistani mediators and is being reviewed by Tehran. If agreed, the conflict would be declared over, with a 30-day window for talks on core issues, namely Iran's nuclear programme, the Strait of Hormuz and sanctions relief for the regime. It's been a week of headline hell for Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Having survived recurring controversies including the Mandelson affair, but headed into UK local elections with his approval ratings in nosedive, he's picking up nicknames faster than his beloved Arsenal are points. "Captain Hindsight", "Sir Flip Flop", say the opposition. And while Arsenal enjoy their place at the top of the table – set to win the Premier League for the first time in two decades – Starmer's popularity ratings are in the relegation zone. After a dismal election performance and the success of the populist Reform UK party, there's talk of a Labour plot to oust him before the next elections. Finally, it's been the second week of the OpenAI trial: a case brought by Elon Musk claiming OpenAI breached its founding principles. This week, the mother of four of Musk's children, Shivon Zilis, took the stand – both about what was going on at OpenAI, but also about her and Musk's personal relationship.  Produced by Gavin Lee, Théo Vareille, Daniel Whittington, Alessandro Xenos.

08/05/2026 • 48:47

In this edition of The World This Week, Gavin Lee's panel discuss King Charles's state visit to the US, US President Donald Trump's phone call with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, and the court battle playing out between Elon Musk and Sam Altman. It's been a week where King Charles III has been earning his crust as head of state on a high-profile visit to the United States, with soft power on full display and some diplomatic heavy lifting needed to improve strained ties at the top of the shop. The king's carefully crafted speeches at the state dinner and in Congress brought up reminders of the shared history and wartime alliances. Half sermon, half stand-up: it's the art of the seal! We assess whether it landed, and if it made any difference to a relationship that's not been so special of late. Also this week, Trump spent an hour and a half on the phone with Russia's Putin. With a fragile ceasefire and effectively a double blockade in the Strait of Hormu  occupying Tehran and Washington, the Kremlin initiated the call, they say, to the White House. A post call read-out from Putin's spokesperson said it contained an offer of assistance to help de-escalate in the Middle East; to help the US take 440 kilos of buried, enriched uranium from Iran and move it to Russia. Finally, it's been a week that's seen a battle between two tech billionaires commence in a Californian court. Elon Musk is suing Sam Altman, seeking his dismissal as CEO of Open AI and $130 billion in damages. Taking the stand, Musk set out how he co-founded OpenAI with Altman, injecting $38 million into early funding and calling himself a "fool" to believe its stated mission as a non-profit charity for the good of humanity. He claims OpenAI betrayed its principles in the hunt for profit to enrich the executives. OpenAI portrays Musk's lawsuit as being driven by regret and jealousy over OpenAI's success without him, and this is playing out during a wider battle between the few tech bros for control of advanced artificial intelligence. Produced by Gavin Lee, Rhea Smircic, Juliette Laffont, Marguerite Lacroix, Andrew Hilliar.

01/05/2026 • 47:28

In a week where a stalemate appears to have developed after nearly two months of asymmetric warfare between the US and Iran, President Donald Trump's Truth Social posts have swung between belligerent maximalism and breezy deal-making: one minute suggesting a within-reach deal, whereby Iranian forces would personally help their enemy confiscate what he calls the "nuclear dust" and move it to America. The next moment: threats of nationwide annihilation. "No more Mr. Nice Guy," he warned. Meanwhile, hopes for direct talks in Pakistan came and went, with a no-show on both sides. Iran's regime-aligned media released a new propaganda video entitled "Goodbye Oil", an ominous – but now familiar – Lego-style cartoon warning, threatening to devastate the Gulf states if Washington resumed its strikes. Trump resumed the ceasefire hours before it was due to expire, and it is no longer time-stamped. Meanwhile, in the Arabian Sea, a de facto double blockade continues – no longer just a war of words – with US forces firing on an Iranian-linked vessel before seizing control of it, while Iranian boats attacked three merchant ships and escorted them to the Iranian coast. It has also been a week in which Lebanon accused Israel of a war crime, a so-called triple-tap strike that led to the killing of a journalist and seriously wounded another. Amal Khalil, a reporter with the country's pro-Hezbollah newspaper Al Akhbar, and photojournalist Zeinab Faraj had fled their car in southern Lebanon after an Israeli drone struck a vehicle on the road in front of them. They took shelter in a nearby house, which was then reportedly bombed by an Israeli fighter jet. Lebanese officials allege that the IDF then blocked paramedics in the rescue effort by using stun grenades and directing gunfire at the ambulances rushing to help. Israel has denied obstructing the rescue and says it does not target journalists. This comes as Israeli and Lebanese officials met for a second round of ceasefire talks at the White House, which have led to a three-week extension of the truce. Finally, it has been a week the British prime minister can be relieved to have made it through. Sir Keir Starmer, the man who vowed to "steer calmer" waters in the UK after what he called the chaos, cronyism, scandal and sleaze of the Conservatives, is now mired in the same issues on his own doorstep. Questions have arisen over the lengths he went to in ensuring that Peter Mandelson was chosen as US ambassador, despite his questionable ties to the convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Concerns remain over why checks and balances were so disregarded in the rush to place a wily operator in Trump's orbit. An exclusive in The Guardian last week revealed that Mandelson had not been cleared by the UK's security vetting process. Starmer blamed and sacked a Foreign Office civil servant, Sir Ollie Robins, for not informing him of this information. Only Sir Ollie said it was not his job to do so. Produced by Gavin Lee, Antonia Cimini, Daniel Whittington, Alessandro Xenos.

24/04/2026 • 49:28

In a week where Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz fully open for commercial trade – effectively ending its nearly seven-week de facto blockade of the critical shipping lane – President Donald Trump imposed a US blockade on Iranian ports to strangle its ability to trade. Trump vowed to continue enforcing what is effectively a US siege until a peace deal is finalised. Meanwhile, in Lebanon, a 10-day ceasefire was announced: no bombs would be dropped, and no shots fired. However, Israeli military sources stated that troops would not withdraw from the south of the country, where they are establishing a security zone against the threat of the Iranian-backed armed group Hezbollah. Trump told reporters that he believes both conflicts are nearing an end. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said that if not, American weapons are "locked and loaded", ready to destroy Iran's energy infrastructure when its current deal expires in four days' time. It was also a week in which Trump challenged public perceptions, uploading an AI portrait of himself, only to quickly delete it. The image, drawing comparisons to optical illusions like the duck-rabbit or hotdogs-or-legs tests, depicted him in a Christ-like healer role. He claimed he was dressed as a doctor, following intense criticism from MAGA Catholics and other conservative Christians after he publicly criticised Pope Leo XIV, accusing him of being weak on crime and nuclear weapons. The pope has been outspoken in his criticism of Trump's wars and immigration policies. In Hungary, thousands celebrated late into the night on the banks of the Danube after a historic political victory against the odds. Peter Magyar, a government insider-turned anti-corruption campaigner, secured a landslide election win, ending Viktor Orbán's 16-year tenure as Europe's longest-serving leader. The European Parliament had described Orbán's rule as a "hybrid regime of electoral autocracy" that silenced critics. Magyar, invited by Hungarian President Tamás Sulyok to form a government, immediately outlined plans for sweeping change. He announced intentions to suspend the state-owned broadcaster, signalling a dramatic shift in the nation's media landscape. Produced by Gavin Lee, Théophile Vareille, Daniel Whittington, Alessandro Xenos.

17/04/2026 • 47:15

It’s been a week that began with US President Donald Trump threatening to wipe out an entire civilisation in Iran if the regime failed to respond to his ultimatum. Presidential decorum quickly went out of the window, with Trump speaking unfiltered – even swearing on Easter Sunday – as he warned Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. That message was reinforced in surreal scenes on the White House lawn, as he addressed families and children, flanked by the First Lady and the Easter Bunny. The week ended with a two-week ceasefire announcement, with both Tehran and Washington claiming the upper hand. Pakistan hosted the talks, with Islamabad under lockdown as senior US and Iranian officials arrived. Yet the Strait of Hormuz – through which a fifth of the world’s oil flows – has not fully reopened, according to energy analysts, despite US demands. Tehran has floated a toll fee of up to $2 million per ship, while US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has maintained a narrative of victory. Attention then shifted to Lebanon, where Israeli forces carried out their deadliest attack yet in the renewed conflict with Hezbollah, claiming exemption from the ceasefire. Dubbed “Operation Eternal Darkness,” the strikes saw 50 fighter jets drop 160 bombs on around 100 targets in just 10 minutes. Israeli officials described it as the heaviest blow to Hezbollah since the “Operation Grim Beeper” attacks two years ago. Lebanese health authorities, however, called it a brutal and indiscriminate assault, reporting at least 250 deaths, including civilians. As concerns grew that the escalation in Lebanon could derail US-Iran talks, pressure from President Trump appeared to prompt Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to announce separate truce talks with the Lebanese government in the coming days, focused on disarming Hezbollah. Meanwhile, Hungary entered the final week of a closely fought election campaign – the tightest in 16 years – with polls suggesting a potential end to Viktor Orbán’s rule. US Vice President JD Vance visited Budapest to endorse Orbán, claiming – without evidence – that Brussels and Ukraine’s intelligence services were interfering in the vote. Opposition leader Péter Magyar made similar allegations, but directed them at the US, Russia, and neighbouring Serbia. Tensions rose further after reports that Serbia had foiled an alleged bomb plot targeting a Russian gas pipeline to Hungary – an incident Orbán suggested could be linked to Ukraine. Critics dismissed the claims as fearmongering; Orbán denied any “false flag” tactics. Finally, it was a week for the history books in space. The Artemis II crew completed a landmark mission, travelling farther than any humans before them – just over a quarter of a million miles – before returning after ten days. The mission marks a crucial step toward future deep space exploration and the prospect of a permanent human presence beyond Earth.   Produced by Gavin Lee, Théophile Vareille, Juliette Laffont, Alessandro Xenos.

11/04/2026 • 46:07

It has been a week that began with President Trump addressing the nation for the first time since the Iran war began five weeks ago. Expectations that he might signal an end to the conflict – or announce a ground offensive, or a split from NATO – were not met. Instead, his 18-minute speech echoed his social media rhetoric: a mix of “we’re almost done” and threats of escalating attacks, including striking every Iranian power plant if a deal is not reached. On the Strait of Hormuz, he told allies simply to “just take it”. Meanwhile, Iran’s president reached out to Americans in an open letter, accusing Trump of acting under Israeli influence, while Foreign Minister Abbas Arachi said the country was prepared for six more months of war. Tensions spiked on Friday when reports emerged that a US F-15 had been shot down over Iranian territory, with state TV urging Iranians to capture the crew. Across the globe, countries felt the ripple effects of the energy crisis, while British Prime Minister Keir Starmer insisted: “This is not our conflict”, despite pressure from Washington. Amid the geopolitical turmoil, the world turned its eyes skywards as four astronauts – three Americans and one Canadian – embarked on humanity’s first lunar mission in five decades. Their ten-day, half-million-mile journey aims to fly past the far side of the Moon, scout future landing sites, and lay the groundwork for a lunar gateway station, edging humanity ahead in the space race towards Mars. Produced by Gavin Lee, Théophile Vareille, Guillaume Gougeon and Laura Burloux

03/04/2026 • 47:58

In a week of movable ultimatums set by US President Donald Trump to "obliterate Iran’s power plants", a deadline was set initially of Monday at midnight, then extended by five days on account of "very productive conversations", then to 10 days with Trump claiming "talks are ongoing" and "going very well". Tehran claimed suggestions of negotiations were fake news, and US talk of de-escalation was a front designed to buy time for a ground invasion with an amphibious force of US marines heading from the Far East to the Persian Gulf.  Washington presented a 15-point plan to end the conflict. Iran set out its own five conditions, reportedly relayed via Pakistan. But assassinations of the regime's top figures have continued, as has Iran's de facto chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz, with both sides using the media to mock the other. It's also been a week of intensified Israeli air strikes and ground operations in the south of Lebanon, with the IDF blowing up bridges along the Litani River which bisects the south of the country and meets the Mediterranean Sea. For what end? Israel says it's creating a "defensive buffer zone" against Iranian-backed Hezbollah fighters attacking northern Israeli towns. Lebanon's president says it's a violation of sovereignty which cuts civilians from dozens of towns and villages off from the rest of the country. Nationwide, one in five people are reported to have fled their homes, and the UN warns of the risk of a Gaza-style siege in the south. It's also been a week where millions of travellers at US airports felt the effects of a partial government shutdown. Tens of thousands of transport security staff haven't been paid for more than a month, and the effect is sporadic chaos, snaking lines at airport gates and the longest waiting times on record. There's been political deadlock since February, with Democrats blocking full funding for Homeland Security because of disputes over immigration and customs reforms that the Republicans want. Trump's solution is to send ICE agents to airports, raising questions for US border czar Tom Homan over how useful they will be. It's also been a week of elections in Europe. Denmark saw political drama fit for an episode of "Borgen" as Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen resigned for the second time in her career after her decision to call a snap election failed to pay off at the polls. Aiming for a so-called Greenland bounce after holding firm against US pressure in January,  her centre-left party actually lost seats and her coalition lost its majority, in the Social Democrats' worst result since 1903. It's been an election week in Slovenia too, and a fragmented result from a contest framed as the liberals against the populists. The party of the current, pro-EU Prime Minister Robert Golob faced former leader Janez Janša, who denied accusations that he hired a private investigator to dig for dirt on his rival. Golob ended up winning by the narrowest of margins and coalition building now begins.  Here in France, all the main parties seemed to claim partial victories after municipal elections, which was easy to do with 35,000 seats up for grabs. The French left took the three biggest cities, Lyon, Marseille and Paris, where the new mayor, Socialist Emmanuel Grégoire, took a victory lap around the capital on a rental bike with supporters. Meanwhile the French far right failed to win its targets in the south, but exponentially built on its voter base, and party leader Jordan Bardella still tops the latest polls for the presidential elections next year. Produced by Gavin Lee, Rebecca Gnignati, Daniel Whittington, Alessandro Xenos.

27/03/2026 • 47:34

In a week where assassinations have continued within the top ranks of Iran's regime – the minister of intelligence, the commander of the Bases paramilitary and the powerful security chief Ali Larijani included – a weakened government seems to have had little bearing on Tehran's retaliation across Israel and nine Gulf states. Just one week ago, US President Donald Trump spoke of a war that was "very complete, pretty much". That statement now appears to have been premature and over-confident. There's no more talk of a Venezuela-style regime change that works for Washington. And Israel's actual cooperation with Washington has come under scrutiny, after Israeli air strikes on the world's largest natural gas field, at South Pars, which provides power for an estimated 70 to 80 percent of Iranians. Trump's immediate response was that he knew nothing about it. Insiders questioned the remark; critics claimed it spoke of the US getting sucked further into an Israeli agenda. Israel's prime minister said that was nonsense. It's also been a week that the human and economic cost of war in the Gulf was felt more deeply around the world, plus a reignited conflict in Lebanon with 1 million people now displaced. The relentless creeping up of the cost of oil is now affecting more than 85 countries in Europe, Asia, America and Africa, made worse after the Iranian attack on Qatar's Ras Laffan gas field, one of the most important global energy hubs that supplies up to 20 percent of the world's liquefied natural gas. Combined with Iran's effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz – to which Trump called on world powers to act and join the US and send their warships to protect ships from drone attacks – the lack of any immediate response or readiness from NATO allies led to Trump once again questioning the point of the organisation. "A foolish mistake," he said, adding that the US doesn't need their help. Though his administration asked, not for the first time: where was the gratitude? Also this week, Denmark's public broadcaster DR published revelations that Danish troops rushed to Greenland back in January, carrying explosives preparing to blow up the airport's runways, such was the fear from European intelligence chiefs that Trump would order a military takeover of the island. Danish soldiers are also said to have carried blood banks to treat those wounded in the event of a battle. Denmark's government has declined to comment. Plus we look ahead to the Hungarian parliamentary elections, where Prime Minister Viktor Orban is facing what's considered his biggest challenge yet from rival Peter Magyar. Produced by Gavin Lee, Théophile Vareille, Juliette Laffont, Alessandro Xenos.

20/03/2026 • 45:38

It’s been a week that's seen a new ayatollah proclaimed in Iran. Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the assassinated supreme leader Ali Khamenei, has not been seen in public and is believed to be in hiding after reportedly being injured in the same strike that killed his father. State television showed crowds chanting "Long Live Khamenei", while at night in Tehran some residents risked arrest to shout from their windows "Death to Mojtaba". A statement attributed to the new leader vowed continued attacks on US and Israeli interests, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and what it called "never-ending revenge". In Washington, US President Donald Trump offered mixed signals, describing the mission as both "very complete, pretty much" and yet not "won enough", while confirming that strikes will continue and saying more than 6,000 targets have already been hit. Reports also suggest frustration inside the White House over Israel's decision to strike oil installations in Tehran, as debate grows over the human cost of the campaign after a missile hit a girls' school in Minab, killing more than 160 people, most of them children. Meanwhile, Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz has triggered the largest disruption to global fuel supplies in the history of the oil market. Tankers attempting to pass through the corridor have been targeted by explosive naval drones, leaving around 20,000 crew members stranded aboard ships in what has become a war zone, as missile and drone attacks continue across Gulf states including Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Produced by Gavin Lee, Andrew Hilliar, Guillaume Gougeon, Laura Burloux and Danielle Brown

13/03/2026 • 46:17

A major war erupted in the Middle East this week when the United States and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran, killing Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and at least forty senior Iranian officials – reportedly within the first five minutes of the bombing campaign on Saturday morning. Day seven. As more figures in the Iranian regime are hunted, hundreds of police and paramilitary bases continue to be bombed, along with Iran’s ballistic missile and drone launch sites, storage facilities and naval fleets. The legal justification put forward by President Donald Trump – that Iran posed an imminent threat to Tel Aviv and Washington – is widely disputed. Accounts from the Trump administration about the war’s aims have appeared contradictory. The president initially spoke of regime change, urging the Iranian people to rise up and seize what he called a once-in-a-generation moment. Yet his secretary of defence insisted it was anything but regime change. It has also been a week that has seen the conflict spread across the Gulf and beyond. Iran retaliated with missile and drone strikes across eleven countries where US bases or troops are stationed, or where governments are accused of aiding Washington. Governments around the world scrambled to evacuate tourists after hotels, as well as airports in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, were struck. Fuel depots, embassies and energy infrastructure were also targeted by Tehran in Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan. A drone attack also targeted a British military base in Cyprus. Meanwhile, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced it had closed the Strait of Hormuz – the corridor through which around one fifth of the world’s oil passes. The week has also seen Israel resume its bombing campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon, striking the capital Beirut and once again sending troops into the south. The move came in response to rockets and drones fired by the Shia Muslim militia group, which had threatened to avenge the killing of the Ayatollah. As the conflict appears to spread somewhere new almost every day, the United Kingdom, France and Germany have pledged what they describe as “defensive action to protect Gulf countries”. But there were few words of appreciation from President Trump, who expressed anger at Britain’s delay in allowing US troops and aircraft to use UK bases. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said lessons had been learned from the “mistakes of Iraq”, stipulating that the United States could use sites in England – and on the Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia – only for defensive actions targeting missile sites, not the regime. The result: a major rift in what was once known as the “special relationship”.   Produced by Gavin Lee, Théo Vareille, Daniel Whittington and Melissa Kalaydjian.

06/03/2026 • 46:44

It's been a week that began in silence in Kyiv's Independence Square, where European leaders laid flowers for Ukraine's war dead – even as the fighting grinds on in the east, across vast drone-dominated front lines in territory Russia now claims as its own. In Washington, US President Donald Trump delivered the longest State of the Union address on record, hailing what he called a "roaring economy" and the most secure border in American history, in a speech heavy on superlatives and light on new policy. Meanwhile, the long shadow of Jeffrey Epstein returned to haunt politics on both sides of the Atlantic. Hillary Clinton faced questions in a private hearing, as fresh scrutiny fell on her husband Bill Clinton. In Britain, following the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor last week, it was the turn of former ambassador Peter Mandelson to be arrested in connection with the scandal. Both men deny wrongdoing. Produced by Gavin Lee, Antonia Cimini, Guillaume Gougeon and Laura Burloux

27/02/2026 • 47:19

It’s been a week that saw Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor arrested on his 66th birthday, facing charges of misconduct for sharing confidential material with Jeffrey Epstein – deepening the crisis for the monarchy. The US also mourned the loss of civil rights icon Jesse Jackson, who passed away at 84, remembered for his pivotal role in the movement and his influence on future leaders. In China, the Spring Festival Gala featured groundbreaking humanoid robots, while world leaders gathered in New Delhi for a major AI summit, grappling with governance and global competition. Plus Meta's Mark Zuckerberg testified in a landmark trial over social media’s role in keeping children addicted. Produced by Rhea Smircic, Alessandro Xenos, Guillaume Gougeon and Florence Viala

20/02/2026 • 48:49

This Friday in The World This Week, we talk about the unravelling of the Epstein files, the end of the Old World Order and the Olympic helmet dilemma. Epstein files unravelling This week, the names of those listed in the Epstein files have continued to feel the consequences, at least on this side of the Channel. Resignations and investigations are underway now in France and Norway. The British prime minister has narrowly survived, for now. And while Keir Starmer was fighting for his political life, the US Attorney General Pam Bondi was in combative mode as she was pressed for five hours by the House Judiciary Committee on the alleged mishandling of the Epstein files release, for redacting the wrong names, and asked why the Department of Justice hadn't pursued more indictments. Out with the Old World Order It's been a week of existential talk over Europe's place in the world. President Emmanuel Macron spoke of the dangerous squeeze between the US and China, and the risk of being swept aside unless the EU unties its regulations, reforms its rules and builds economic sovereignty. To protect without protectionism, he suggested, raising the eyebrows of some fellow leaders who've long cherished an open market. Europe's detachment issues are a key theme at this week's global gathering at the Munich Security Conference, the so-called "Davos for the defence industry". The Olympic helmet dilemma The Ukraine war will be another focal point, as it was too at the Winter Olympics as the athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych was disqualified for breaching non-political rules for wearing a helmet honouring 24 Ukrainian athletes, victims of the war. It was not a comfortable decision for the Olympic Committee chief. Canada in shock It's been a week of shock and mourning in Canada after a mass school shooting in in British Colombia. At least 10 people died, including children as young as 12. Police say the suspect, 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, a biological male identifying as female, had previous mental health concerns, with police having been called out two years ago to seize firearms, though officers say they had "no idea of the motive for the killings". West Bank settlement expansion And it's been a week that's seen the occupied West Bank return to the headlines. The Israeli security cabinet approved a set of measures that make it easier for Jewish settlers to acquire land, shifting the power from the Palestinian Authority to Israeli authorities when it comes to laws around planning, construction, property law and enforcement. Critics, including many Arab states, argue that it is de facto annexation on the quiet, while world attention is on extraordinary events elsewhere. While President Donald Trump has previously stated his opposition to any Israeli annexation, little was said as he met Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Wednesday, where the focus was on how to deal with Iran – by diplomacy or by military force. Produced by Gavin Lee, Andrew Hilliar, Juliette Laffont, Alessandro Xenos.

13/02/2026 • 41:51

In a week where global headlines have been dominated daily by the fallout from what the Trump administration calls the "final release" of Epstein files, we bring you a special edition of The World This Week focusing on the consequences for those associated with the late sex offender. An unprecedented 3 million pages of files, containing hundreds of thousands of videos and images, were finally disclosed a month after the government deadline – the late publication ostensibly due to redactions required for victim protection. Survivors' groups who have been fighting for transparency and justice for years say the redactions are in all the wrong places. One of those survivors is Annie Farmer, who was sexually abused by Epstein and gave key testimony in the conviction of Ghislaine Maxwell. It has been a week of remarkably similar statements issued by a list of the rich, the famous and the powerful, many of whom appear to have been less than transparent about the extent of their dealings with the child sex offender. Tech billionaire Bill Gates, the Crown Princess of Norway, Mette-Marit, and author and viral anti-ageing influencer Peter Attia spoke of regret, remorse and naivety in their associations. There are also questions of judgement – though no accusations of illegality – surrounding Richard Branson, Elon Musk, Noam Chomsky, Howard Lutnick and Donald Trump, who is attempting to draw the issue to a close. The unearthing of the files has had serious ramifications in the UK this week, with headlines referring to the "Princes of Darkness". The phrase points to long-time Labour peer Peter Mandelson, the former British ambassador to the US, and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the ex-prince who is facing fresh allegations of sexual offences now being assessed by police. He denies any wrongdoing but is increasingly isolated, having been seen moving out of Royal Lodge shortly before midnight on Monday. Mandelson has been stripped of his knighthood, forced to leave the Labour Party, and now faces a criminal investigation into the alleged sending of confidential government information to Epstein. It is claimed he exchanged information for money and influence, which he denies. The fallout is also reaching the man who appointed him ambassador, Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who is now at risk of losing his job over the affair. Elsewhere, the threat of US intervention in Iran appears to have diminished slightly, with direct talks taking place between US and Iranian officials in Oman. Meanwhile, it has been another week of peace talks on Ukraine. In ever-shifting locations, this week's hosts were the United Arab Emirates, with talks brokered by the US and attended by Russian and Ukrainian delegations. Little progress was reported, with Russia's unrelenting demands for additional territory remaining the main sticking point, though another prisoner exchange was agreed and completed. As the fourth anniversary of the war approaches, President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged the human cost, telling French television that 55,000 Ukrainian soldiers have died. The French president told reporters that preparations were under way to restore direct communication between Europe and the Kremlin. Produced by Gavin Lee, Andrew Hilliar, Daniel Whittington, Alessandro Xenos.

06/02/2026 • 48:08