Newshour BBC Podcasts

France's political leaders are scrambling to prepare for snap elections after President Emmanuel Macron dissolved parliament in response to a stinging European vote defeat by the far-right National Rally. These snap legislative elections could be a turning point for Macron's presidency. If the RN wins an absolute majority of seats in the National Assembly, it could provide France's next prime minister.

Also in the programme: a military aircraft in Malawi carrying the country's vice president has been reported missing; and wildfires are raging across the world's largest tropical wetland: the Pantanal, in Brazil.
(Photo: Emmanuel Macron after voting in European Elections Credit: Hannah McKay/POOL/EPA-EFE/REX/SHUTTERSTOCK)

France’s President Macron plays political poker after a thumping in the European elections, gambling on snap elections for the national parliament. And as the far right makes gains across much – if not all – of Europe, we ask, where next for the European Union?
Also in the programme: as the US secretary of state begins his latest Middle East tour, what's changed in Israel? And the widow of the Islamic State leader says she couldn't stop her husband's crimes.
(IMAGE: Supporters watch French President Emmanuel Macron's speech on a large screen at the electoral party after the announcement of the results of the European Parliamentary elections in Paris, France, 09 June 2024 / CREDIT: Christophe Petit-Tesson / EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

Israeli war cabinet minister Benny Gantz has quit the emergency government in a sign of deepening divisions over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's post-conflict plans for Gaza.
Also on the programme: French President Emmanuel Macron has dissolved the Parliament and called snap elections in the wake of tonight's European election results; and Narendra Modi has been sworn in as India's prime minister for a third term.
(Photo: Benny Gantz holds a press conference in Ramat Gan, near Tel Aviv. Credit: ABIR SULTAN/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza says 274 Palestinians were killed during Saturday's Israeli offensive on the Nuseirat refugee camp. The operation led to the rescue of four Israeli hostages. Israel has previously estimated there were fewer than one hundred casualties. Footage from the area's Al-Aqsa hospital shows badly wounded people lying on the ground. We speak to a doctor who was there.

Also in the programme: millions vote to elect representatives to the European Parliament; and will Americans learn to love cricket?

(Photo: The Hamas-run health ministry has started naming people it says were killed as Israeli forces fought Hamas in and around the Nuseirat refugee camp. Credit: Reuters)

Noa Argamani, 26, Almog Meir Jan, 22, Andrei Kozlov, 27, and Shlomi Ziv, 41, were freed during a "high-risk, complex mission" from two separate buildings in the Nuseirat area, the Israel Defense Forces said. Hamas claims more than two hundred Palestinians were killed by Israeli attacks in the same area as the raid took place. The IDF said the released hostages were all in good health, and they were later pictured embracing family members at a medical centre near Tel Aviv.
Also on the programme: A celebration of the first colour photo of earth taken from space on the occasion of the photographer, Bill Anders’ death; and UNESCO celebrates the unique cultural importance of Italian opera.
(Photo: Almog Meir Jan, a rescued hostage embraces a loved one Credit: Israeli Army handout via REUTERS)

Israeli security forces say they have rescued four hostages from two separate locations during a special operation in Nuseirat, in central Gaza. They have been named as Noa Argamani, Almog Meir Jan, Andrey Kozlov and Shlomi Ziv. All had been abducted by Hamas from the Nova music festival on 7 October. They are said to be in good medical condition and have been transferred to hospital. Gaza's Al-Aqsa hospital says at least 50 Palestinians - including children - were killed during the Israeli operation.

Also in the programme: the astronaut who took the ground-breaking first colour photo of Earth from space, William Anders, has died, and as Unesco celebrates Italian opera, we listen in.
(Photo: People react outside a medical centre, after the military say four hostages rescued alive from the central Gaza Strip on Saturday, in Ramat Gan, Israel 8 June, 2024. Credit: Marko Djurica/Reuters)