Focus

Two earthquakes of rare magnitude struck Venezuela on June 24, seconds apart. The state of La Guaira on the Caribbean coast was by far the hardest hit, with entire buildings collapsing there in seconds. Tens of thousands of people are still missing but help still has not arrived.

In this edition, our reporters look at Haiti, which is still in the grips of a long-running battle against armed gangs in the capital and some provinces. A new international security force is being deployed but has yet to make widespread progress. Against this backdrop, the humanitarian crisis in the country is continuing to spiral. 1.5 million people are now internally displaced in Haiti and malnutrition is widespread.

In just a few decades, the Hunza Valley in Gilgit-Baltistan, a remote mountainous region of northern Pakistan, has undergone a dramatic transformation. Expanded access to education, improved healthcare and strong local development have reshaped the area, in a model of progress often linked to foundations associated with the Aga Khan, the spiritual leader of the Ismaili community. The minority counts nearly 500,000 members in Pakistan and makes up around 90% of Hunza's population.

Under the guise of fighting crime, Sao Paulo has rolled out the world's largest facial recognition system operated by a city. India, China, Hong Kong and the United Kingdom have introduced similar technologies under vague legal frameworks. But no city has embraced surveillance on the same scale as Sao Paulo, making it the world's biggest "Big Brother". The artificial intelligence system, known as Smart Sampa, is now at the centre of a growing scandal after being accused of racial profiling. Report by Marine Resse, Fanny Lothaire, Mélanie Blondeau.

India's rapid-delivery apps have transformed everyday life in its biggest cities, promising almost anything at your doorstep in 10 minutes or less. But behind the convenience lies a fast-growing gig economy that is reshaping jobs, wages and expectations for millions of young Indians. Supriya Kumar and Sacha Desmaizières report.

In Bosnia, parts of the scientific community are opposing the construction of a massive hydroelectric dam, warning of potentially serious environmental consequences. The project comes as dam construction has surged across the country, fuelled by the fact that it has become a highly lucrative business – one critics say is largely controlled by those with close ties to the authorities.

Germany is rearming amid an economic recession with thousands of jobs slashed across industrial and service sectors. In these tough economic conditions, the Bundeswehr is now one of the country's most attractive employers for young people. Applications rose by 23 percent in January 2026 alone. Behind the figures lies a more complicated reality: for many young Germans, putting on a uniform is not a vocation – it's a fallback option. FRANCE 24's Anne Mailliet reports, with Nick Holdsworth.

Scandola, a UNESCO-listed nature reserve off the coast of Corsica, is attracting a growing number of visitors from around the world – drawn to its dramatic landscapes and rich marine life. However, protecting its unique wildlife and fragile marine ecosystem is becoming an increasingly delicate balancing act. Our colleagues at France 2 and FRANCE 24's Guillaume Gougeon report.

While the Lyhanna case in France has exposed the shortcomings of a fragmented system for dealing with sexual violence against minors, Belgium stands as a model with its Centres for the Care of Sexual Violence (CPVS). The centres are based on a simple principle: a victim only has to walk through one door to find a doctor, forensic nurse, psychologist and specialized police officer – all in one place. Born from a pilot project in three hospitals, the model proved convincing with its scientific results from the first evaluation. In 2020, the government decided to roll it out nationwide.

One month after Congolese authorities officially declared a new Ebola outbreak, the virus is still spreading in the east of the country and the death toll continues to rise. There are now more than 1,000 confirmed cases and more than 250 confirmed deaths. FRANCE 24's Aurélie Bazzara-Kibangula reports from eastern DR Congo, with Paula Séville.

Brazil have advanced to the World Cup round of 16, despite many experts predicting that Japan would defeat the Seleção. The football-mad South American nation has lost some of its lustre since the team's dramatic 7-1 loss to Germany in 2014 on home soil – a World Cup that traumatised an entire nation, and not just because of the defeat. 

Poland is one of the most restrictive countries in Europe for LGBT rights. Neither marriages nor civil partnerships for same-sex couples are legal there. But as of late May, Poland has legalised the recognition of same-sex marriages performed in third countries. The change comes after the European Court of Justice ruled that Warsaw was in contravention of EU free movement laws if it withdrew rights that couples had acquired in another country. As a result, Polish same-sex couples have been rushing to organise weddings outside the country. FRANCE 24's Adrien Sarlat reports, with Gulliver Cragg.

In Albania, a widespread protest movement is underway against the current government. The demonstrations erupted after construction began on a luxury resort in a nature reserve in the southwest of the country. The real estate project is spearheaded by Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump's son-in-law, and his wife Ivanka. Environmental activists have rejected the prospect of construction in the reserve, home to flamingos and other wildlife, while others see job and economic opportunities. FRANCE 24's David Gilberg reports with Lauren Bain.

A father of three who was seized by ICE at a FIFA match last summer – at the very same stadium where the World Cup final will take place – is warning immigrant fans of the risks they are taking if they attend World Cup games in the United States. FRANCE 24's Jessica Le Masurier, Yves Schaeffner, Mehdi Bouzouina and Sarah Andersen bring you this exclusive report. We are keeping the family anonymous for their safety.

In much of the world, rabbits are seen as harmless, fluffy pets. But in Australia, they're an economic and environmental disaster. Introduced for sport hunting by British settlers in the mid-19th century, rabbits faced no natural predators. As a result, their population exploded across the continent within decades. Despite mass eradication campaigns, hundreds of millions of rabbits remain today, devastating the landscape and tormenting Australian farmers. FRANCE 24's Grégory Plesse and Quentin Théron report.

This Tuesday June 23, Marc Bloch will be inducted into Paris's Panthéon mausoleum. A leading 20th-century historian, he co-founded the French academic journal "Les Annales" and was also a soldier in both World Wars. Bloch, who was Jewish, joined the French Resistance during World War II and was tortured and executed by the Gestapo in 1944. Throughout his life, he embodied both intellectual rigour and an unwavering commitment to the French Republic. FRANCE 24's Florence Gaillard reports, with Florent Marchais.

In 2025, the Supreme Court of India declared maternity leave a fundamental right for working women. India is among the countries in the world where pregnant women are entitled to 26 weeks of paid maternity leave, which can be taken for up to two children. The move has been widely welcomed by women's rights advocates. But they emphasise that India still has a long way to go in ensuring the rights of working mothers. FRANCE 24's Navodita Kumari and Zubair Dar report.

Over the last decade, gun murders have jumped by nearly 90 percent in Canada. This increase is fuelled by a never-ending stream of illegal weapons acquired across the border in the United States. According to data from the Toronto Police, 88 percent of the guns seized in crimes last year originated in the US. Canadian police and elected officials are demanding tighter controls at border crossings. FRANCE 24's Francois Rihouay, Joanne Profeta report, with Fraser Jackson.

Gaming cafés have become a common sight on the streets of Cairo, especially in poorer neighbourhoods. Egyptians hold a world record for time spent gaming per day, with an average of 1 hour and 43 minutes daily. Some 43.5 percent of young gamers in Egypt are considered to be addicted. In February, the government launched a campaign to combat addiction. FRANCE 24's Mathilde Delvigne reports.

Poland, which is regularly targeted by Russian hybrid attacks, takes the threat of war with Moscow very seriously. The country now spends nearly 5 percent of its GDP on defence, and aims to train its civilians too, so they will know how to react if war breaks out. To this end, it has introduced a programme of one-day training sessions with the army, entitled "Always Ready", which have turned out to be a runaway success. FRANCE 24's Adrien Sarlat and Jan Garstecki joined some of the participants at a session near Warsaw.

Syria has been particularly hard hit by the decline in global humanitarian aid, especially from the US. In the northwest of the country, hundreds of thousands of displaced people are still living in makeshift shelters. When the Assad regime fell, they hoped to be able to return home. But on seeing their villages destroyed, most have remained stranded in camps, waiting for reconstruction that will take years. As time goes by, living conditions there are deteriorating and vital infrastructure such as hospitals are at risk of closing.

On Sunday, Japan sealed a 2-2 draw against the higher-ranked Netherlands in their 2026 World Cup opener. Since qualifying for its first World Cup in 1998, Japan has reached every edition of the tournament and now sits 18th in the FIFA rankings. FRANCE 24's Adam Hancock, Alexis Bregere and Ayana Nishikawa travelled across Japan to uncover the secrets behind the remarkable rise of Japanese football.

The fan zones are open, the stadiums are ready and the biggest World Cup in history is officially underway in the US, Mexico and Canada. Seven matchs are planned in Houston, Texas. The host city expects to attract around half a million visitors and an economic windfall of $1.5 billion. Yet some hotels remain half empty and many fans complain that soaring ticket prices have made the tournament unaffordable. FRANCE 24's Pierrick Leurent and Wassim Cornet report. 

For the first time ever, Cape Verde is heading to the World Cup. The West African island nation – home to fewer than half a million people – will be one of the smallest countries in tournament history. In the capital Praia, preparations are in full swing, with qualification sparking huge excitement and renewed hope among young people. In working-class neighbourhoods, football has long been an escape – and now, a global stage awaits. Sarah Sakho and Simon Martin report. 

Peeling paint, rundown roundabouts and shuttered post offices: in recent years, local public services across the United Kingdom have been in steady decline. But in some communities, volunteers have decided to step in – filling the gaps where the state has fallen short. Our France 2 colleagues report from Yorkshire, with FRANCE 24's Lauren Bain.

In late April, 98 of the world's 100 hottest cities were located in India. From mid-April to May 2026, daily maximum temperatures exceeded 46°C across large parts of the country. During extreme heat, lack of access to cooling can mean the difference between life and death in the world's most populous country. While government data puts the heatwave death toll at 37, social activists say that figure falls far short of the reality faced by people forced to work in scorching temperatures. The heat stress has also been compounded by acute water shortages in several parts of India. FRANCE 24's Navodita Kumari and Fantine Dantzer report.

For several months, Japan has been moving in a more nationalist and conservative direction. The shift has been fuelled by economic challenges at home and growing regional tensions with China. The country's new ultra-conservative prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, is expected to accelerate this agenda, with plans to tighten immigration policies and strengthen Japan's defence posture. A report by Adam Hancock, Alexis Bregere and Mélodie Sforza.

It is the moving story of a Russian father and daughter who opposed Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine. It all began in March 2022, when 12-year-old Maria drew an anti-war picture at school in response to the invasion launched a month earlier. She was immediately reported by those around her, and the FSB soon visited both her school and her home. Her father was eventually arrested for supporting his daughter and speaking out against the war. He was convicted of discrediting the Russian army. Following his release from a penal colony, he and Maria left Russia and are now refugees in Strasbourg. A report by Elena Volochine, English adaptation by Lauren Bain.

Throughout World War II, discriminatory policies saw thousands of Romani, Sinti, Manush, Yenish and travellers displaced across France, imprisoned in vast internment camps and sent to extermination camps in Eastern Europe. Eighty years ago, the last travellers were freed from French internment camps. Our reporters Antonia Kerrigan and Valentine Erba went to meet with a French survivor of internment.

Ethiopians are heading to the polls for general elections that Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's Prosperity Party is expected to win. Ahmed, who has been in power since 2018, is accused of authoritarianism and of cracking down on dissent. With his "corridor project", launched in 2024, he wants to modernise the capital Addis Ababa and other cities. But the project has led to the mass eviction of over 10,000 people in Addis Ababa alone. FRANCE 24's Tom Canetti reports.

One of Pakistan's greatest challenges is controlling its rapidly growing population. With more than 258 million inhabitants, the country is already the fifth most populous in the world. By 2030, its population could surpass 300 million, pushing Pakistan into fourth place globally, ahead of Indonesia. This rapid demographic growth is far outpacing the country's capacity for socio-economic development and infrastructure expansion. In several key social sectors, Pakistan continues to lag behind neighbouring India and Bangladesh. Yet contraception remains largely taboo in a society shaped by strong traditional values, where it is sometimes viewed as religiously forbidden. A report by Shahzaib Wahlah and Ondine de Gaulle, in collaboration with Hameer M.

New Zealand is facing a major brain drain. Even former prime minister Jacinda Ardern has chosen to relocate to Australia. Her decision has reignited a debate over the country's persistent struggle to retain its talent, against a backdrop of a stagnating economy and a soaring cost of living. Our Auckland correspondent Emma Garboud-Lorenzoni reports.

Just after taking office, Chile's new far-right President José Antonio Kast pledged to expel more than 300,000 undocumented migrants. Two months into his presidency, the mass departures that many predicted have not happened. The construction of a border wall with Peru, modelled on US President Donald Trump's wall, does not seem to be stopping migrants from attempting to cross into Chile. But in Tacna, the last Peruvian city before the Chilean border, life is becoming increasingly difficult for migrants. FRANCE 24's Martin Chabal and Agathe Fourcade report, with Wassim Cornet.

In the occupied West Bank, illegal Israeli settlements are dramatically increasing, encouraged by the Israeli government and protected by the army. Meanwhile, Palestinians are suffering greater numbers of violent attacks by extremist settlers, for which they almost always receive no justice. Our France 2 colleagues report, with FRANCE 24's Florent Marchais.

Last year, for the first time in its history, Israel recorded a negative migration balance. In 2024, 82,700 Israelis left the country, an all-time record. In Europe, Germany is benefiting the most, attracting 18 percent of this emigration according to the OECD. Settling in Germany is facilitated by reparation laws that give descendants of Holocaust victims easier access to German nationality. Since 2022, passport applications have surged, despite a rise in anti-Semitism in the country. FRANCE 24's Anne Mailliet, Kilian-Davy Baujard and Willy Mahler report.

On the French Caribbean archipelago of Guadeloupe, there is one gun for every 10 residents. Since the beginning of the year, 12 people have already been shot and killed by gunfire. Anti-crime brigades are doing their best to address the issue, but the number of offenders is on the rise and they are increasingly young. Our France 2 colleagues report, with FRANCE 24's Lauren Bain.

On May 15, Palestinians commemorated the Nakba ("catastrophe" in Arabic), referring to the forced exodus of Palestinians during the creation of the State of Israel in 1948. Around the same time, Israelis celebrated what they call the "reunification of Jerusalem" in 1967, meaning the occupation and then annexation of the Palestinian part of the city. One land, two historical narratives. Is it still possible to reconcile them? FRANCE 24's Claire Duhamel and Amira Souilem report.

In 2025, Panchayat became the most-watched series in India. Its success stems from its story about the head of a village council in a rural area of ​​Uttar Pradesh. In recent years, stories from rural India have permeated the film industry, even reaching prestigious international award ceremonies. This rural revival has fostered the growth of independent rural cinema, particularly with the emergence of new streaming platforms. Since 2019, the platform STAGE has produced several hundred films in local dialects, targeting a potential audience of 50 million people, a segment long ignored by the multi-billion dollar Bollywood film industry. A report by Selma Daoui and Nabeel Ahmed.

Half of all households in South Korea's capital Seoul have just one inhabitant. That trend is likely to continue, with more than 40 percent of men and women aged 25 to 49 saying they do not want to get married. Local authorities now consider solitude a serious public health issue. Seoul's municipal government is investing more than €260 million over five years to tackle what it calls an epidemic of loneliness. FRANCE 24's Chloé Borgnon, Junwon Bae and Justin McCurry report.

Salmon is one of the most widely consumed fish in the world, with global demand exploding in recent years. In Chile, salmon farming has become the country's second-largest industry after mining, accounting for more than a quarter of global production. For the country's southern regions, it has brought an economic boom. But this success comes at a cost: deadly workplace accidents, polluted waterways and a disastrous effect on wildlife in the area. FRANCE 24's Agathe Fourcade and Martin Chabal report.

In London, the Tube and iconic red double-decker buses are deeply woven into the city's fabric. When these ageing vehicles retire, some are given a surprising second life and transformed into unique dining experiences. From underground carriages turned into restaurants to vintage buses serving afternoon tea, these repurposed icons offer a nostalgic journey through the British capital's history and culture. Our France 2 colleagues report, with FRANCE 24's Guillaume Gougeon.

Several heads of state, including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, are gathering in Bucharest this Wednesday for the B9 summit, which brings together NATO's eastern flank countries amid growing tensions linked to the war in Ukraine. Even in Romania, the conflict feels increasingly present. In recent months, Russian attacks have intensified against Ukrainian Danube ports located just a few hundred metres from the Romanian border.