North Korea’s charm offensive

The sexual abuse scandal in Germany's Catholic Church continues as a leading cardinal offers his resignation to Pope Francis. So, can the church be reformed? Guests: Anna Diouf (Maria 1.0), Max Cappabianca (priest), Matthias Katsch (abuse survivor organisation)

Tirana Hassan, acting executive director of Human Rights Watch, which is publishing its annual report this week. Although the report reveals the grim picture of a world shattered by multiple crises, our guest believes the attacks carried out against democratic institutions, such as in Brazil, show the "desperation of autocrats, despots and strongmen who are beginning to lose power", adding that "there are cracks in the autocratic armour of the Chinese government".

Sergey Surovikin has been removed as head of the Russian armed forces in Ukraine and replaced by Valery Gerasimov. Is there a power struggle raging in Moscow?

South Africa's energy crisis could land the government in court, as opposition groups and trade unions threaten to sue over a decade of crippling blackouts. Also, as the World Economic Forum kicks off in Davos, the head of the International Finance Corporation tells FRANCE 24 that now is the time to ramp up private investment as Africa braces for a global slowdown.

South Africa's energy crisis could land the government in court, as opposition groups and trade unions threaten to sue over a decade of crippling blackouts.

The countrywide power outage in Pakistan was the second in two years. All major population hubs, including the mega cities of Karachi and Lahore, were affected.

Last year, North Korea had conducted a record number of military tests, including nuclear-capable weapons. Meanwhile, a UN report stated that North Korea stole more cryptocurrency assets than ever in 2022.

Whistleblowers risk a lot, sometimes their job or even their freedom. They may be celebrated as heroes or decried as traitors. In the corporate world, unmasking problems can often prove beneficial.

France's electricity company EDF has posted a record single-year loss of €17.9 billion. Major repairs to the country's nuclear plants, plus Russia's invasion of Ukraine combined to create the disastrous figures.

For Robert Douglas Fairhurst, it was being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, an unpredictable and still misunderstood illness. As a literature professor, stories played a key role in helping him make sense of the diagnosis. He recounts the journey in his book "Metamorphosis: A Life in Pieces". The author joined us for Perspective.

Frank Bainimarama, the Pacific nation's former prime minister, is facing allegations of abuse of authority, the country's prosecution has said. The charges come months after he was voted out of office.

The Garzweiler coal mine has been a flashpoint for climate action in Germany after activists occupied the deserted village of Lützerath to block an expansion of the mine.