Notre-Dame fire investigators zero in on safety violations, FRANCE 24 speaks to the tailor to the stars at Cannes, Uma Thurman discusses her new show "Chambers" and India votes in the world's largest election.

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ARTICLES

Of cigarette butts and double shifts: Notre-Dame investigators zero in on safety violations

As investigators search for clues as to the cause of the devastating blaze at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, details about staff response to the disaster and the lack of fire-safety measures to protect the building have emerged.

France under pressure to come clean over arms exports in Yemen war

France’s lucrative arms exports to the Gulf came under renewed scrutiny this week following the release of a classified report showing that the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen has made much wider use of French arms than officials in Paris acknowledge.

EU: 10 policies that have changed the day-to-day lives of Europeans

Although Brussels is often criticised for being distant and overly bureaucratic, the EU’s decisions make a difference in the lives of every citizen of its member states. FRANCE 24 takes a look at some of its key policies of the last five years.

Brexit headache: Despite leaving Europe, Britain votes in EU parliamentary elections

With the Brexit deadline delayed until autumn, Britain will still be an EU member when elections for the EU Parliament begin May 23 and thus obligated to elect its own MEPs. It is a confusing state of affairs that puts Europe in an “absurd” position.

France to invest €6 million in free breakfasts at public schools

A number of French public schools have begun serving free breakfast to students as part of a new government programme aimed at improving student performance by combatting hunger.

EXCLUSIVE

FRANCE 24 speaks to Alaa Salah, the new face of Sudan's protest movement

Alaa Salah is a Sudanese woman who gained Internet fame after images of her leading protest chants against President Omar al-Bashir went viral. FRANCE 24 spoke to her about the demonstrations and what is next for Sudan after Bashir's resignation.

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Meet the star tailor of the Cannes Film Festival

Everyone knows France's Cannes Film Festival, but few are aware that hundreds of "little hands" work hard to make it come alive every year. Aline, the head of a sewing school, makes sure that all the celebrities look perfect in their outfits on the red carpet. For the past 15 years, she has been the one everyone calls when there is a little emergency stitching to do.

INDIA VOTES

Has Indian nationalism heightened under Modi?

In this week’s edition of India Votes we look at the state of nationalism in India, the need to rewrite the history books and if there’s any room left for critical thinking.

MEDIAWATCH

The Macron 'fake news' report that wasn't

French news channel Cnews has come under fire for airing archive footage of Emmanuel Macron being welcomed by crowds at his summer residence in Le Touquet. Macron was in Le Touquet this week, but there were no welcoming crowds this time. With his approval rating falling, Cnews was accused of purposefully using old footage to present the president in a more flattering light. The freelance journalist responsible has been asked to leave the channel for what was described as a case of "human error".

FOCUS

Gun owners pleased as Italy relaxes law on right to self-defence

The Italian parliament just passed a law on the right to self-defence, submitted by right-wing Interior Minister Matteo Salvini. The bill broadens the definition of legitimate defence, allowing a homeowner to protect his or her property with the use of a firearm without fear of being prosecuted. But critics are concerned the new legislation will lead to a rise in gun ownership.

ENCORE!

Uma Thurman on women in Hollywood and her Netflix show 'Chambers'

Actress Uma Thurman talks about her new Netflix series "Chambers", playing a grieving mother and how Hollywood is changing for women.

The Cranberries bid goodbye

More than a year after the death of The Cranberries' lead singer Dolores O'Riordan, bandmates Noel and Mike Hogan speak to Eve Jackson about their final album "In the End," why it's time for the band to say goodbye to fans, and their legacy.

Film show: 'Farewell to the Night', 'Victor and Célia', 'The Mercy of the Jungle'

Catherine Deneuve plays the grandmother of a young man lured into jihadism in "Farewell to the Night", a film that adresses the lure of extremism at a time when Europe is debating how to deal with Islamist fighters and their families who want to come back home.

FASHION

Luxury meets humanitarianism: ‘La Bouche Rouge’ (The Red Mouth) takes action in Togo

What if the luxury sector aligned with the aspirations of society? The age of non-stop plastic is coming to an end. Nicolas Gerlier is the founder of the eco-friendly lipstick brand “La Bouche Rouge”; his business is committed to promoting sustainable development. Thanks to a partnership with Eau Vive Internationale, the company has pledged to donate 100 litres of drinking water to an African village for every lipstick sold.

REPORTERS

Climate change: Could Red Sea corals save the world’s reefs?

Could Red Sea corals save the world’s reefs? While most corals are very heat-sensitive, languishing if water temperatures rise by as little as 2 degrees Celsius, Red Sea specimens appear to be adapted to a warmer, more salty environment. And these are precisely the conditions that await our oceans as a result of climate change.

To see previous editions of the Week in Review, please click here.

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