This week has seen an assassination attempt on populist Slovakian Prime Minister Fico and the passing of the 'Foreign agents' law in Georgia despite mass protests. We look at the advances that Russia is making in Ukraine and the worst violence sweeping New Caledonia in 40 years.

Assassination attempt on Slovakian PM Fico

The Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico is in serious condition in hospital after being shot several times in an assassination attempt Wednesday. We look at hate speech, division and disinformation in the country that many Slovaks say is more polarised than ever. 

Georgia passes 'foreign agents' law despite pro-EU protest

It’s been a week that’s seen the clash of two Georgian dreams. Tens of thousands of pro-EU protestors demonstrated on the streets outside parliament, while MPs from the ruling party – the Georgian Dream – passes a so-called Foreign Agents Act that critics say is a cut-and-paste replica of a draconian Russian law.

Russia making advances in Ukrain

Some one and a half thousand kilometres across the Black Sea from Georgia is Ukraine, where Russian forces made the largest territorial gain in a single operation since December 2022, according to local reports.

Violence in New Caledonia

It’s also been a week that’s seen France declare a state of emergency in the overseas territory of New Caledonia, after the worst violence in forty years swept the pacific island. Five people, including two police officers were killed in riots, triggered by changes to voting rights that the local population say will dilute their political influence.