A whistleblower issues a "damning account" of the UK's withdrawal from Afghanistan, saying tens of thousands of Afghans were left behind to die. Meanwhile, there's disappointment in the US after the Justice Department closes an investigation into the 1955 lynching of Emmett Till. Plus: Angela Merkel marks her last day in office, Berlin techno DJs apply for World Heritage status and the French city of Rouen votes on replacing a Napoléon statue with one of a woman.

After being on hold for months due to the Covid-19 pandemic, French archaeological missions are back in Egypt, where many treasures are waiting to be discovered. Exploring the city of Luxor is a dream for many archaeologists, who each day hope their painstaking work will yield fresh treasures. A few kilometres from the Valley of the Kings, Isabelle Régen and her team are studying one of the most fascinating tombs discovered in the country. Our France 2 colleagues report, with FRANCE 24's Olivia Bizot.

They're nicknamed the gorillas – or bodyguards – of the French Republic. The police officers of the force's Protection Unit are in charge of the security of French and foreign dignitaries but also candidates for France's presidential elections, as well as other figures who require special protection. We take a rare look at the strenuous selection process policemen and women have to go through before taking on the job. Our France 2 colleagues report, with FRANCE 24's James Vasina.

Many Facebook groups based in Mali and Nigeria began sharing a video of a helicopter on December 9, claiming it showed an aircraft delivering weapons to terrorists. In Mali, the posts often accused the French government of operating the helicopter, while posts coming from Nigeria laid the blame on the Nigerian government. In reality, the video is from neither one of these countries – it was filmed in the Central African Republic during a routine supply drop.

In this edition, we’re focusing on the French delicacy of foie gras. One of France’s most cherished foods, it’s a staple at Christmas tables across the country. But foie gras is also a source of controversy. There are ethical concerns about how it is produced, which has led several French cities to ban it for official gatherings. The move has launched a fierce national debate.

French troops left their military base in Timbuktu as part of a reorganization of Operation Barkhane announced by French president Emmanuel Macron in June. The Kidal and Tessalit bases were handed over to the Malian army in October and November, respectively.

Papers react to the political debate sparked by the decision to fly the European flag from the Arc de Triomphe. Most agree it boils down to political opportunism in an election year, with La Croix pointing out that it's the EU that should be offended for having its flag flown from a monument representing Napoleonic conquest. We also look at 2022's controversial sporting events, a Moroccan YouTuber seeking asylum in France, and a warning for cat owners.

North Korea has been facing sanctions by the United Nations since 2006 over its nuclear weapons program. There are nearly a dozen UN sanctions that target individuals and the government. But they are hard to enforce.

When Emmanuel Macron first ran for president five years ago, he touted himself as a disruptor; a leader who could reform France from outside the box of the traditional political parties. It turns out the reformer can sometimes be a loose cannon. We ask our panel about the incumbent's latest shock statement that's got the chattering classes going in Paris.

Bavaria's restaurants struggle to find staff as the sector slowly recovers.The problem is unlikely to go away anytime soon.

Our first stop in our new show FrancEurope is the Italian capital Rome and the prestigious setting of the Villa Medici. It's home to the Academy of France and each year a select group of contemporary artists receive a fellowship, allowing them to work on their dream project in a uniquely cossetted setting. Our reporters Luke Brown and Xavier Chemisseur were lucky enough to get a sneak peek of what the artists-in-residence have been working on.

He's the controversial poet-provocateur idolised as France's biggest literary export, holding up a mirror to the grim truths of contemporary France. Michel Houellebecq's eighth book "Anéantir", which translates as "Annihilate", hits bookshelves today with a massive print run of 300,000 copies.