For the first installment of our series marking thirty years since the fall of the Soviet Union, we ask the question: is Stalin making a comeback? Since 2014 and Vladimir Putin’s annexation of Crimea, statues and busts of the Soviet dictator have been appearing all over Russia. Meanwhile, many of the details concerning the crimes committed by his regime remain unknown, with archives in large part still closed. Putin, a former KGB agent and FSB chief, does not hide his nostalgia for the Soviet era. His regime has cultivated an ambiguous relationship with Stalin, and he stands accused of using the same methods against his opponents today.

In total, 11 countries are behind on membership dues, and eight have had their right to vote suspended. Iran has blamed US sanctions for the lack of funds.

We focus on Poland after the death of a pregnant woman who was denied an abortion despite losing her twins. Her death has sparked anger over the country's draconian anti-abortion laws. Also, the Australian Open will host an all-Aussie men's doubles final for the first time in 40 years. Finally, Beijing Winter Olympics organisers warn against hugs and handshakes in a bid to promote social distancing at the upcoming Game

Project One founder, Bisayo Busari-Akinnadeju talks about her passion, motherhood, and the Nigerian political system.

They have a knack for the sort of radio-friendly, feel-good pop tunes that have won them fans the world over. Metronomy's music is the soundtrack to an eternal summer. As they return with a seventh studio album, the band members sit down with FRANCE 24 to talk about taking a creative break, the new stripped-down sound of their album "Small World", as well as their deep and affectionate ties to Paris, French food and the racier side of la chanson française.

To some people, war may be an abstraction that they only imagine happening elsewhere. Or perhaps it's something that they have experienced personally, either directly or indirectly. Either way, the concept of war extends far beyond the battlefield, appearing in computer or video games, at weapons trade fairs or in movies. In short, some argue it has become a consumer good much like any other. Photographer Rafael Heygster explores this theme in his photo exhibit "I Died 22 Times". He joined us for Perspective to tell us more.

The German president and Chancellor Olaf Scholz have both been invited to Kyiv, according to Frank-Walter Steinmeier's office. He had planned to go to Kyiv in April, but was told not to come on the eve of his trip.

At the beginning of December, Brazil's president, Jair Bolsonaro, said he would make sure that fuel prices go down. Just the opposite has happened, and now unrest in the South American country is growing.

The 75th Cannes Film Festival has opened with the movie "Final Cut". Directed by France's Michel Hazanavicius and starring his partner Bérénice Bejo as well as Romain Duris, it's a film within a film inspired by a Japanese zombie movie. Bérénice Bejo tells FRANCE 24 why her partner didn't want her to be in the film and how some of the blood on set was actually real.

Sri Lanka is in the grip of its worst economic crisis in decades, facing depleted petrol reserves, food shortages and a chronic lack of medical supplies. More than a month of mainly peaceful protests against the government's handling of the economy turned deadly last week when supporters of the former prime minister stormed an anti-government protest site in the commercial capital Colombo. We discuss the depth of protesters’ grievances, as well as President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s chances of weathering the storm, with Sri Lankan human rights lawyer and activist Bhavani Fonseka.

Imagine using an EU-wide app to pay your bills, to access your local government services or to upload a medical file or a driving licence. You would log in with a unique, life-long ID number. To some, this might sound convenient – much like travelling smoothly across borders with a digital Covid-19 certificate. To others, it's the stuff of Orwellian nightmares – a step towards mass surveillance and control. Either way, plans for an EU digital identity are coalescing, with a "common toolbox" expected this September. We debate the issues at stake with two MEPs.

The trafficking of children in Nigeria for domestic service, sex work and forced surrogacy is rampant and lucrative. DW talks to two children about the horrors of their experiences.