Saudi Arabia seeks allied support, Russia holds elections, Microsoft warns on AI

This week's international news roundup, compiled by France 24's programme "The World This Week," covers several major developments.

Saudi Arabia's energy crisis

Saudi Arabia has turned to its allies for military support as Iran-backed Houthi rebels tighten their grip on Yemen's Red Sea coast and the strategically vital Bab el-Mandeb shipping chokepoint. At the same time, drone attacks on the Kingdom's oil infrastructure are deepening an already emerging energy crisis.

Elections in Russia

Voters in Russia are heading to the polls this week for a parliamentary election marked by tight state control and little meaningful opposition. President Vladimir Putin has stated there will be no new mobilisation.

Warnings over artificial intelligence

Concerns about AI risks are now coming from within the industry itself. Microsoft AI chief Mustafa Suleyman has warned against treating AI models as if they were human, and raised the possibility of a new "silicon species" eventually competing with humanity for resources.

Royal family on the defensive

In Britain, the royal family finds itself on the defensive again after Earl Spencer made new claims regarding Princess Diana's funeral, prompting an unusually pointed response from Buckingham Palace.

The programme was produced by Gavin Lee, Théophile Vareille, Alessandro Xenos, Guillaume Gougeon, Farida Soliman and Laura Burloux.