German ad slammed for ‘racist’ portrayal of Asian women

Europe's annual song and dance extravaganza wasn't short on either entertainment or pyrotechnics, but voting remained nail-biting until the end.

As Peru slowly emerges from the devastating Covid-19 pandemic, the government is trying to help the country's Covid orphans. According to the medical journal The Lancet, around 100,000 children in Peru lost at least one of their two parents to the pandemic; more than anywhere else in the world. The poorest Peruvians have been hit the hardest and many Covid orphans and widows are struggling to survive, both financially and emotionally.

Thousands of West African soldiers fought for France against the Nazis during World War II. But on December 1, 1944, scores of them were gunned down in unclear circumstances by the very French forces they fought alongside. What really happened on that fateful day at the Thiaroye military camp near the Senegalese capital Dakar? Eighty years on, the documentary "Thiaroye 44" takes a closer look at this dark page of French history.

The "Maghreb-Orient des livres" book festival takes place in Paris this weekend, focusing on literature from north Africa and the Middle East. One of those taking part is Jérémie Dres, the author of the graphic novel "The day I met bin Laden". It features the story of two young French men who travelled from France to Afghanistan in the spring of 2001, just months before the 9/11 terror attacks. The pair then found themselves trapped in Afghanistan and were later sent to the Guantanamo Bay detention camp. The author joined us for Perspective to tell us more.

Security forces and members of the public clashed repeatedly as pallbearers carried the journalist's coffin. Veteran reporter Shireen Abu Akleh was shot in the head while covering an Israeli military operation.

Cryptocurrency markets are in turmoil as so-called stablecoins, designed to be protected from extreme volatility, have tumbled in recent days. One such token, Luna, has all but evaporated, plunging from a high of $118 last month to less than one cent. Plus, the airline industry is struggling with staff shortages ahead of the summer holiday season – we find out why.

We look at reactions to Finland and Sweden's imminent bid to join NATO. Spanish lawmakers will soon discuss a proposal to offer period pain leave to women, which, if passed, would make Spain the first Western nation to do so. Also, the US wins hosting rights to the Rugby World Cups in 2031 and 2033. We then look at Friday the 13th and why there's even a word for people who fear the day. Finally, Indian parents sue their son... for not giving them grandchildren!

Food security concerns sparked by Russia's invasion of Ukraine are topping discussions as G7 foreign ministers meet in northern Germany. The talks also aim to support Moldova amid concerns that the conflict could spread.

After struggling through the early years of the pandemic to get enough Covid-19 vaccinations, Africa's first factory to produce the doses says it may have to stop because it hasn't had enough orders. Also, a former Congolese policemen gets a death sentence for murdering human rights activist Floribert Chebeya in 2010. And sanctions on Mali have hit neighbouring towns in Senegal. Within one month of the embargo, exports to Mali have fallen by close to a quarter.

Ghana is committed to managing its debt without assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta said, expressing his confidence that government measures were moving the country in the right direction.

Europe wants to build stronger ties with Africa but several issues between the two remain unresolved. While the African continent is hoping for more trust and collaboration, Europe remains uncompromising with its demands. What will it take to reset the relationship?

Last week, hackers tried to disable the servers of several German authorities and ministries. A Russian group claimed responsibility on Telegram. The Federal Police Office has reported an increase in cybercrime.