Munich, Epstein, Confessions of Love Cheat

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This Friday in The World This Week, we talk about the unravelling of the Epstein Files, the end of the Old World Order and the Olympic Helmet Dilemma.

Epstein Files Unravelling

In a week where the names of those listed in the Epstein Files have continued to feel the consequences, at least on this side of the channel. Resignations and investigations underway now in France, and Norway. The British Prime Minister narrowly survived, for now. And while Keir Starmer was fighting for his political life, the US Attorney General Pam Bondi was in combative mode as she was pressed for five hours by the House Judiciary Committee on alleged mishandling of the Epstein files release, and for redacting the wrong names, and asked why the Department of Justice hadn’t pursued more indictments…

Out With the Old World Order

It’s been a week of existential talk over Europe’s place in the world, President Macron spoke of the dangerous squeeze between the US and China, and the risk of being swept aside unless the EU unties its regulations, reforms its rules, and builds economic sovereignty. To protect without protectionism, he suggested, raising the eyebrows of some fellow leaders who’ve long cherished an open market. Europe’s detachment issues is a key theme at this week’s global gathering at the Munich Security Conference, the so-called ‘Davos for the Defence industry’.

The Olympic Helmet Dilemma

The Ukraine war will be another focal point, as it was too at the Winter Olympics as the athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych was disqualified for breaching non-political rules for wearing a helmet honouring 24 Ukrainian athletes, victims of the war. It was clearly not a comfortable decision for the Olympic Committee chief…

Canada in Shock

It’s been a week of shock and mourning in Canada after a mass school shooting in in British Colombia. At least 10 people died, including children as young as 12. Police say the suspect 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, a biological male identifying as female, had previous mental health concerns, with police having been called out two years ago to seize firearms, though officers say they had quote, “no idea of the motive for the killings”.

West Bank settlement expansion

And it’s been a week that’s seen the occupied West Bank return to the headlines. The Israeli Security Cabinet approved a set of measures that make it easier for Jewish settlers to aquire land, shifting the power from the Palestinian Authority to Israeli authorities when it comes to laws around planning, construction, property law and enforcement. Critics including many Arab states, argue that it is de facto annexation on the quiet, while world attention is on extraordinary events elsewhere. While President Trump has previously stated his opposition to any Israeli annexation, little was said as he met Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Wednesday, the focus was on how to deal with Iran, by diplomacy or military force: there’s still nothing definitive at least publicly.

Produced by Gavin Lee, Andrew Hilliar, Juliette Laffont, Alessandro Xenos.