Nigerian govt move to recover N614bn bailout fund from 35 States

The war in Ukraine has moved Poland from the fringes of US foreign policy into the spotlight. At the same time, Washington has become even more indispensable for Warsaw as a guarantor of security.

Switzerland, Sweden and Finland are just some of the European states that currently maintain a neutral status. But Russia's attack on Ukraine has forced them to reconsider their stance.

"When there is war again on our continent, you cannot be neutral." Those were the words of Denmark's prime minister after her country voted by a two-thirds majority to end the Danish opt-out from EU defence and security policy. As Vladimir Putin continues his bloody war against Ukraine, Denmark is not alone in the European Union in making historic moves regarding European defence capacities. We take a closer look with three MEPs.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine four months ago, the cost of living crisis has become a global issue. Prices have gone up around the world. In Europe, the countries that use the euro saw an average of 8.1 percent inflation in May. Pressure on prices, combined with stuttering economic growth, has sparked fears of a recession. These concerns could still come into play regarding the EU's response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. In this programme, we're joined by two MEPs to discuss how the EU should balance sanctions against Russia with the risk of recession.

Every year, some 10,000 low-paid migrant labourers return home to southeast Asia from the Gulf in body bags. Half of these deaths are unexplained, and with no labour laws in place — nor any will from home nations to investigate — the cycle of exploitation continues unabated. These figures are estimates published in a report from the NGO FairSquare. As summer begins, more and more of these vulnerable workers are succumbing to heat-related illnesses. For more, we speak to Nicholas McGeehan, Director of FairSquare Research and Projects.

The International Monetary Fund has concluded "constructive" talks with the government of Sri Lanka over a possible bailout. The island is facing its worst economic crisis on record, with protests over food, fuel and medicine shortages. Also on the show: why France is faring better than its neighbours when it comes to inflation. Plus FRANCE 24's Madrid correspondent Sarah Morris reports on the Spanish companies suffering from a diplomatic spat with Algeria.

Abortion clinics in Florida and Mississippi were unsuccessful in putting up a legal fight to continue providing the procedure. Other states are likely to soon follow.

EU leaders meeting in Brussels are expected to grant Ukraine and Moldova official candidate status for membership to the bloc. But that has soured several Western Balkan states which applied for candidacy years ago. Now they're demanding real progress, not just promises.

As Russia cuts down gas deliveries to Europe, Germany's energy supplier Uniper reported "significant financial burdens" and asked the German government to help stabilize it.

A summit with leaders from six Gulf Arab states, Egypt, Jordan and Iraq saw the US president walking a tightrope to bolster Washington's influence in the Middle East.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz said the government will take a 30% stake in energy firm Uniper. The wholesale gas importer faces huge losses due to soaring energy prices and a threat by Russia to cut gas supplies.

The International Monetary Fund says a first agreement has been reached on a $2.9 billion loan to the bankrupt country. Sri Lanka is facing its worst economic crisis in more than 70 years.