AGP Executive Report

ICC Hearings: In The Hague, the ICC begins three days of “confirmation of charges” hearings for Khaled Mohamed Ali El Hishri, a former boss of Libya’s Mitiga prison, accused of crimes against humanity and war crimes including murder, rape and torture. Energy Shock: The IEA warns oil stockpiles are being drained fast and could last only weeks as the Strait of Hormuz crisis bites, with G7 finance talks in Paris focused on containing the fallout. Middle East Flashpoint: Trump says he’s postponing a planned Iran attack after Gulf leaders urged “serious negotiations,” but warns the US is ready to strike if no deal lands. Gaza Aid Blockade: Organisers say Israeli forces have seized more Gaza-bound flotilla ships and detained crews, including activists linked to Ireland and New Zealand. French Politics Abroad: The Senate endorses changes to New Caledonia’s electoral roll, easing voting restrictions for people born there since 1998. Culture & Cost: The Louvre names an international team of architects for its expansion, including a new “Mona Lisa” space—while critics keep pushing on price and crowding.

G7 in Paris, Iran and Hormuz dominate: Finance ministers meet in the French capital to press for sanctions discipline on Iran and to push for reopening the Strait of Hormuz after its closure, with oil markets jittery as the IEA warns commercial stocks are running out “very fast.” Energy squeeze hits budgets: River-heated nuclear curtailments are already forcing output cuts in France and Switzerland right when demand peaks, turning climate risk into a line-item problem for industry. Security and war tech: Ukraine says its homegrown glide bomb is ready for combat, underscoring how fast standoff weapons are becoming central. Cannes culture watch: Na Hong-jin’s alien blockbuster “Hope” left Cannes stunned and divided, while Steven Soderbergh unveiled an AI-assisted documentary built from John Lennon’s last interview tapes. Justice and scandal: Patrick Bruel faces expanding sexual-violence investigations in France and Belgium. Everyday France: For the first time, beer has overtaken wine in consumption as cost-of-living reshapes habits.

Epstein Probe Reignites: A Paris prosecutor says about 10 new suspected victims have come forward in France’s investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, as investigators sift through his seized computers, phone records and address books and seek international help for cases involving people abroad. Film Industry Power Struggle: At Cannes, Canal+’s chief says the group will stop working with hundreds of cinema professionals who signed a petition warning about Vincent Bolloré’s far-right influence over French film. Cannes Gender Debate: Cate Blanchett tells Cannes the #MeToo wave “got killed very quickly” in Hollywood, while Julianne Moore warns real gender equality is still far off. Health Emergency: The WHO declares an international Ebola emergency in DR Congo after the outbreak tops 80 deaths, with a confirmed case in Goma. PSG Fitness Jolt: Ousmane Dembélé is forced off early with a suspected muscle issue ahead of the Champions League final.

Epstein Probe Expands: France’s prosecutor says about 10 new potential victims have come forward in the Jeffrey Epstein network investigation, with investigators also combing the unsealed files and reaching out to victims abroad for possible meetings in Paris. Media Power Struggle: At Cannes, Canal+ chief Maxime Saada says the group will stop working with 600 industry professionals who signed a petition against right-wing billionaire Vincent Bolloré—turning a corporate fight into a cultural flashpoint. Health Emergency: The WHO declared an international emergency over an Ebola outbreak in DR Congo that has killed over 80, with no vaccine for the strain and fears of spread rising. Diplomacy Spotlight: Beijing is becoming the hub of global diplomacy as Putin is set to visit just after Trump’s China trip, underscoring how fast the world’s power map is shifting. Politics & Society: Paris prosecutors are investigating alleged abuse at 84 preschools and about 20 primary schools, with several staff summoned to court.

Cannes Buzz: Yeon Sang-ho’s new zombie thriller “Colony” sparked a five-minute standing ovation at the Cannes Midnight Screenings, with a packed crowd and a Korean-wave cast turning genre into prestige. Health & Safety: France’s Pasteur Institute says an Andes virus found on a cruise matches known South American strains, with no sign it’s more transmissible—while separate reporting keeps attention on cruise outbreaks and public-health monitoring. Justice & Diplomacy: A Paris investigating judge is set to examine rights groups’ complaint linking Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the 2018 killing of Jamal Khashoggi, after an appeals court cleared the case to proceed. Religion & State: Pope Leo XIV has been confirmed for an official visit to France Sept. 25–28, including UNESCO in Paris and Lourdes. International Tensions: WHO declared an Ebola emergency in DR Congo as deaths pass 80, with no vaccine for the strain.

Ebola Emergency: DRC health officials warn the new Ebola outbreak in Ituri has a “very high lethality rate” and no vaccine or specific treatment for the Bundibugyo strain, with deaths rising to 80 and a case confirmed in neighbouring Uganda. Ukraine Defence: After talks with Macron, Zelenskyy says France is ready to cooperate on anti-ballistic capabilities and to strengthen air defences as Russia’s missile and drone strikes continue. Middle East Justice: A French judge has opened an inquiry into a complaint over the 2018 Khashoggi killing, targeting Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Palestine Protest Crackdown: Six people were detained after activists unfurled a Palestinian flag from the Eiffel Tower during Nakba Day. Church & Culture: Pope Leo XIV will visit France Sept 25–28, including UNESCO in Paris amid budget strains after the US withdrawal. Sports & Society: France’s World Cup squad buzz continues, while Saad Lamjarred was sentenced to five years in a French rape case.

Digital Sovereignty: France is phasing out US video tools like Zoom and Microsoft Teams across the public sector, swapping to a state platform (Visio) by 2027 and moving millions of government PCs from Windows to Linux—sold as a data-security and “digital resilience” push. Middle East Pressure: Airlines rerouted flights over rising US-Iran-Israel tensions, while markets slid on renewed Hormuz fears. Public Safety Panic: A venomous cobra has kept a small town near Toulouse on tenterhooks, with parks closed and residents told to avoid tall grass while firefighters hunt the snake. Africa-Forward Diplomacy: Kenya’s defence deal with France is reigniting sovereignty debate after ratification granted French troops legal immunity. Politics & Image: A fresh wave of attention follows claims around Brigitte Macron and alleged texts—she denies the story. Culture: Cannes continues to draw global headlines, including Sanam Saeed’s landmark appearance.

Drug-Crime Crackdown: France is bracing for a new wave of drug-linked violence after Nantes saw a 15-year-old shot dead on Thursday, with two other minors seriously injured—prosecutors say trafficking is the leading line of inquiry. Public Safety Pressure: The Interior Minister vowed tougher measures, including higher fines and harsher penalties for repeat offenders, as residents describe gangs moving closer to residential areas. City-by-City Alarm: The Nantes killing follows earlier headlines from Nice and Villefranche-sur-Saône, feeding a growing sense that armed violence is becoming routine. Cannes Politics & Culture: At Cannes, director Vincent Garenq used his Samuel Paty film to argue that cruelty doesn’t need spectacle—just the facts. International Signals: France also backed a special tribunal for Putin’s crime of aggression, joining a 36-country push for accountability.

US–China Summit: Trump says “a lot of different problems” are “settled” as he meets Xi on the final day, while both leaders stress keeping the Strait of Hormuz open. Rare Earth Race: The US is accelerating a supply chain for rare earths to rebuild depleted missile stocks—less dependent on China. Russia–China Next: Putin is set to visit Beijing next week, days after the Xi–Trump summit, underscoring Beijing’s balancing act. France–Africa Trade: An Africa-France summit ends with a push to overhaul key trade rules and boost investment links. France Health & Safety: Authorities are racing to contain invasive electric ants in southern France, while a norovirus outbreak on a cruise ship in Bordeaux has led to quarantined passengers and a revised itinerary. Online Kids Debate: EU cybersecurity and child-safety rules face criticism as potentially loss-making or too restrictive. Sports & France: FIFA’s World Cup viewing figures go global, and the NFL confirms its record international slate, including Steelers–Saints in Paris.

Hantavirus Calm After Cruise Scare: France says all 26 close contacts linked to the MV Hondius hantavirus alert have tested negative, while four others are still being monitored and one confirmed case remains in serious condition—plus Dutch arrivals from evacuation flights are also negative. Palestinian Politics: Mahmoud Abbas pledged to push PA reforms and is “ready” to hold long-delayed presidential and parliamentary elections, as Fatah’s leadership congress tries to reset legitimacy after Gaza. Moldova–France Delivery: Benjamin Haddad met Moldova’s PM and president as two deals were signed for €60m to modernize irrigation—€45m AFD loan and €15m EU grant—aiming to boost farm output and drought resilience. Security Signals: Serbia and NATO launched their first joint drills despite Serbia’s non-alignment stance, while Ukraine’s Zelenskyy warned Europe about Russia’s threats and drone-focused cooperation. Culture & Soft Power: Cannes continues to spotlight global cinema, from China’s pavilion opening to a BVI Film Commission push for Caribbean storytelling.

Cruise-ship health scare clarified: France has lifted the lockdown on 1,700 people aboard the British ship Ambition in Bordeaux after tests pointed to viral gastroenteritis—likely norovirus—rather than hantavirus, with asymptomatic passengers allowed to leave and ill passengers kept isolated on board. Africa Forward Summit momentum: In Nairobi, France is pushing a “delivery” phase for ties with Nigeria and a wider Africa reset, unveiling major funding and launching FARM+ to scale agricultural finance. Vaccine manufacturing push: France-backed Biovac support aims to expand African vaccine production capacity, targeting polio, meningitis, pneumonia and cholera. Pacific ocean diplomacy: France backed Melanesian efforts to protect the Pacific and accelerate high-seas biodiversity commitments. Election interference probe: France is investigating whether the obscure Israeli firm BlackCore meddled in local elections, focusing on a suspected smear campaign. Regional security: Australia has confirmed it will join UK-France naval planning for Strait of Hormuz escort efforts amid Iranian warnings.

Election Interference Probe: France is investigating whether an obscure Israeli firm, BlackCore, helped run a deceptive online smear campaign targeting France Unbowed candidates ahead of March municipal elections, with prosecutors and intelligence services now trying to trace who commissioned it. Public Health Watch: In Bordeaux, a cruise ship gastroenteritis scare has left one passenger dead and about 50 ill, while officials stress it’s not linked to the separate hantavirus cluster. Judicial & Tech: France’s top administrative court rejected Amazon’s challenge to minimum book delivery fees, keeping the policy aimed at protecting independent bookstores. Regulation Crackdown: France will ban CBD edibles under stricter EU “novel food” enforcement from May 15. Diplomacy & Security: EU countries move to join a special tribunal for Russia’s aggression, while France’s Africa push continues in Nairobi alongside major renewable-energy announcements. Sports Spotlight: The NFL confirms its record nine international games, including the first regular-season match in France: Steelers vs Saints in Paris.

Africa Forward Summit: Macron and Kenya’s Ruto closed a two-day France–Africa summit in Nairobi with €23bn in pledges, pitching a “partnership of equals” and repeating “sovereignty” as the headline theme—while civil society groups warn it must move from promises to debt, climate and financial-sovereignty deliverables. Hantavirus Watch: In parallel, France’s leaders insist the hantavirus situation is “under control” and call for tighter European coordination, as WHO chief Tedros says more cases are possible but there’s no sign of a wider outbreak. Hormuz Security: Australia says it will back a “strictly defensive” UK–France-led mission to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, adding an E-7A Wedgetail surveillance aircraft. Cannes Politics & AI: Cannes opened with a subdued Hollywood presence, a Peter Jackson honorary Palme d’Or, and fresh debate over AI’s place in filmmaking—Demi Moore arguing the industry can’t just “fight” it. Local Politics: Marseille’s municipal election results are under legal challenge, with the National Rally alleging “irregular practices.”

Africa Forward Summit: Macron and Kenya’s Ruto opened a two-day Africa–France summit in Nairobi, pitching a “partnership of equals” and announcing €23bn in investment—14bn from French firms and 9bn from African partners—aimed at energy, AI and agriculture, while critics call it a “puppeted summit.” Security & diplomacy: Iran rejected Trump’s peace proposal and demanded an end to the naval blockade and release of frozen assets, as the Strait of Hormuz remains the flashpoint. EU digital rules: Von der Leyen says the EU could introduce a “social media delay” or even a bloc-wide ban for children this summer, with enforcement tied to age checks. France in the spotlight: The UN’s anti-torture subcommittee is set to visit French detention sites for the first time. Culture: Cannes kicked off with Pierre Salvadori’s “The Electric Kiss,” as French cinema faces fresh far-right takeover fears. Sports: PSG’s Dembélé and Lens’ coach Pierre Sage were among the big Ligue 1 award winners.

Africa Forward Summit: Macron lands in Nairobi for a two-day France–Africa summit with Ruto and 30+ African leaders, pitching “innovation, growth, business and security” and announcing €23bn in investment deals. Energy & Climate: France also published a roadmap to phase out fossil fuels by 2050, targeting big cuts by 2030/2035 and pushing electrification and coal closures. Hormuz Tensions: Macron insists France “never envisaged” warships entering the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran warns of “decisive” retaliation—Britain and France are still coordinating a wider escort mission. Hantavirus Crisis: A French woman evacuated from the Hondius cruise ship is in serious condition after tests turned positive; authorities are tracing contacts and tightening quarantine. Sanctions: Britain issued 12 new sanctions on Iranians accused of plotting attacks in the UK. Culture Watch: Cannes opens amid AI and Hollywood attendance worries, with the Palme d’Or race already drawing attention.

Africa Forward Summit: Macron in Nairobi demanded “total lack of respect” after noise derailed a youth forum, while he pushed a reset with Africa—announcing €23bn in investment and jobs, plus a Kenya–France tea deal aimed at premium global markets. Health Alert: France confirmed a second hantavirus-positive repatriated passenger from the MV Hondius, with France tightening isolation rules as other countries continue evacuations. Middle East Tensions: Oil prices edged up as Trump rejected Iran’s proposal and the Strait of Hormuz remains a flashpoint; UK and France are preparing for a post-conflict escort mission. EU Politics & Culture: EU leaders move to invite influencers to summit events (with limits), and Macron’s Africa pitch is shadowed by debates over Europe’s role and “respect.” Digital & Youth: French families file a complaint against TikTok over teen self-harm, as lawmakers push tighter age rules.