This week in the world
From the USA to Ukraine via France and Africa, the planet never rests...
Dear readers,
I hope this finds you well…
At my ends, it was surely a busy week!
I covered for colleagues, working on international news, while still producing Africa news and a podcast episode…
Thought the end of the summer is quite sleepy in Europe, calm seems to have returned to Britain, and France lingers between the Olympics Games and the Paralympics, still with no government… The world is still boiling.
Here are some of the story I worked on this week, if you missed reading the news during your holiday break…
USA
‘Yes she can’: Obamas praise Harris at Democratic National Convention
Barack Obama told fellow Democrats in Chicago Tuesday that "the torch has been passed" to Kamala Harris and that the United States was ready for her to become president.
India-Ukraine-Russia-Africa
India stands 'firmly for peace' PM Modi tells Ukraine's Zelensky
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said his country stood "firmly for peace" in the war between Ukraine and Russia during a Friday meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv.
West African juntas complain to UN over Ukraine's alleged support for rebels
The military rulers of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have written to the United Nations Security Council to denounce what they said was Ukraine's support for rebel groups in West Africa's Sahel region, according to Mali's foreign ministry.
France - history
This weekend, Paris celebrates the 80 years of the 'Liberation of Paris', on 24 and 25 August 1944, by troops who landed in Normandy on 6 June 1944 (known as D Day) then in Provence on 15 August.
From these battles, history remembers heroic interventions from US soldiers, who joined the war quite late... And from a few British soldiers.
France also gained its status of ally again thanks to these battles, and later of victor, which allowed the country to get a seat at the United Nations' Security Council in 1945.
The reality is of course more complex.
Here is a less known part of the story, about soldiers from the French colonies of the time.
The Africa nations didn't exist as independent states at the time of the creations of UN. They are still very poorly represented among their institutions.
That's why history matters...
How France's diverse forces were 'whitewashed' during the liberation of Paris
Politics
France: Towards a new left-wing Prime Minister?
French political leaders meet Macron for convoluted talks on new government
French President Emmanuel Macron started holding meetings with leading representatives from across the political spectrum on Friday, as parties seek to form a government to overcome weeks of deadlock following parliamentary elections in early July. Further talks are to continue on Monday.
Mpox outbreak
Mpox outbreak widens as different strains reach Côte d'Ivoire, Thailand
Côte d'Ivoire has reported cases of mpox Clade 2 for the first time since the start of the multi-country outbreak in 2022, while Thailand has confirmed Asia’s first known case of a new, deadlier strain of mpox in a patient who had travelled to the country from Africa.
PODCAST
Decolonising Beauty campaign honours Africa’s diverse aesthetics
Issued on: 23/08/2024
Decolonising Beauty is a campaign designed by the production company Zikora Media to educate the public and celebrate the rich tapestry of indigenous and local beauty customs across Africa.
This week we speak about beauty standards with Zikora founder, Chika Oduah.
or from Apple Podcast.
Senegal
Senegal begins review of oil and gas contracts in bid to reclaim resources
Senegal has launched a major effort to reclaim control over its oil and gas resources, setting up a commission to review and renegotiate contracts with foreign companies that critics say have long favoured international interests over national ones.
Issued on: 23/08/2024
Europe
Tensions rise as Hungary ignores EU deadline on Russian, Belarusian entry rules
Hungary missed the European Commission's deadline this week to respond to questions about its decision to ease entry requirements for Russian and Belarusian nationals, raising concerns across the EU.
Lithuania breaks ground on military base for German troops near Russian border
Lithuania has started constructing a military base that will house up to 4,000 combat-ready German troops by the end of 2027. This marks the first permanent foreign deployment for the German military since World War II.
As always, thanks for reading or skimming through.
It’s hard to find time for news in our world, where terrible horrors makes people feel like avoiding them altogether, and where opinions prevail.
Do stay informed though, it’s vital.
Take care.
With best wishes,
melissa
Melissa Chemam
Journalist & Writer
Writing news for RFI English, and features
Also with the New Arab, the i paper, Byline Times...
My blog: https://melissa-on-the-road.blogspot.com/
My website: https://sites.google.com/view/melissachemam
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXE4ofFjz0lsRzemjdmFf7w