Focus

After a month and a half spent living under the threat of drones, residents of Iraqi Kurdistan are exhausted. Just 24 hours before the ceasefire, a civilian was killed in a drone attack blamed on Iran by Kurdish authorities. In total, around 700 drone and missile attacks have targeted US positions and certain Kurdish interests. Victims' loved ones are devastated by the war between Iran and the United States, of which they are the indirect victims. FRANCE 24's Marie-Charlotte Roupie reports, with Josh Vardey.

As global attention remains focused on the Middle East, a parallel contest of influence is unfolding in the Far North, where NATO troops have recently carried out a large-scale exercise simulating a Russian invasion. Armoured vehicles, ships, helicopters, and thousands of soldiers braved sub-zero conditions to test their readiness and send a clear message to Moscow. This report from our colleagues at FRANCE 2 and FRANCE 24's Guillaume Gougeon.

Hungary's election on Sunday could have repercussions far beyond its borders. Since Prime Minister Viktor Orban came to power in 2010, Hungary has become the only EU member state ranked as “partly free” by Freedom House – but it is also a model for far-right movements elsewhere. Orban's ties to Russia have also hindered Europe's response to the war in Ukraine. With polls showing a strong lead for the centre-right opposition Tisza party, our regional correspondent Gulliver Cragg reports.

In the weeks leading up to the ceasefire, the impact of the war in the Middle East was felt far beyond the region, reaching countries such as India. The nation of nearly 1.5 billion people relies heavily on imports of cooking gas, or LPG, much of it sourced from the Middle East. When Iran blocked the Strait of Hormuz – a critical global shipping route – supplies were severely disrupted. Long queues formed outside distribution centres in major cities, forcing many to turn to the black market. The conflict has also put at risk the lives of nearly ten million Indians living and working in Gulf countries. At least eight Indian migrant workers have been killed in war-related incidents. Many others remain stranded, unable to afford the high cost of flights home, as their families wait anxiously for their return. Even with a fragile ceasefire in place, those affected continue to live in precarity – and, for some, in grief. Report by Supriya Kumar, Fantine Dantzer, Alban Alvarez and Khansa Juned.

Today's Focus looks into fraud on social contributions in France. There are many ways to bypass the system, including undeclared work, or fake sick leave forms. Authorities are tracking down these abuses, which cost billions every year. This report specifically looks into undeclared work: employing an individual under the table costs up to €7 billion every year. It affects all sectors, such as retail or personal care services; but mostly the construction industry. Our colleagues from France 2 followed labour inspectors on building sites, who try to uncover illicit work and hold employers accountable. Here 's their report, with FRANCE 24's Lauren Bain.

In Fizi territory, in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, fighting is raging between Congolese soldiers, who are supported by local armed groups, and M23 rebels, who are allegedly supported by Rwanda. New recruits swell the ranks of the armed groups. And civilians are caught in the crossfire. A report by Aurélie Bazzara-Kibangula and Emmet Livingstone.

Donald Trump has branded Mexico a narco-state, accusing it of failing to control its border. The US president has escalated his rhetoric, issuing stark accusations and threatening unilateral military action, claiming drug trafficking and illegal immigration still pose a significant threat to the United States. But what's the reality on the ground? Our correspondents, Laurence Cuvillier and Quentin Duval, report from the Mexican side of the border.

The war in Sudan is spilling into Chad with increasing intensity. In mid-March, a drone strike – the fourth and deadliest cross-border attack from Sudan – killed 20 people in the town of Tiné, which has become a frontline in the conflict's spillover. Chadian authorities have not officially identified those responsible, and both the Sudanese army and RSF rebels deny involvement. Since the strike, tensions in Chadian areas near the Sudanese border have escalated. The Chadian army has been placed on “maximum alert,” some citizens are calling for armed resistance, and hundreds of civilians are fleeing the border region. Harold Girard and Brahim Abakar Oumar report.

Wild leopards in the heart of Indian cities, bears roaming the streets in Japan, and foxes wandering through central London. Increasingly, wild animals are appearing in urban areas in search of food, with hundreds of videos buzzing across social media. So what explains this growing phenomenon? Our colleagues at France 2 report, with Lauren Bain.

Since the start of Donald Trump's second term, media outlets in the United States have faced an uphill battle. Targeted verbal attacks, attempts to control information and press credentials, and financial pressure are just some of the ways the White House has sought to influence reporting –or label journalists as enemies of the government. Public media outlets are especially vulnerable, relying in part on federal funding. So, is it still possible to report on the inner workings of politics? And how are journalists pushing back? Fanny Allard reports.

In the face of growing competition with Donald Trump's United States and the ongoing trade war, Canada is betting big on greenhouse agriculture. In Ontario, the heart of national agricultural research and innovation, tomatoes and cucumbers are just some of the produce grown safe from bad weather and harsh winters. The country is also banking on artificial intelligence to reduce its dependence on imports, particularly American ones.

With just months to go before the World Cup, Mexico is making headlines for the grip that criminal organisations still hold over parts of the country. The killing of drug lord El Mencho, during a special forces operation in late February, has sparked a surge of violence nationwide. But President Claudia Sheinbaum insists the necessary security measures will be in place to protect football fans and players. 

Fifteen years after the revolution that deposed Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi, our team reports from the eastern city of Benghazi. Although the security situation there is now relatively stable, reunification does not seem to be on the immediate agenda, with Libya still ruled by two different governments.

In Hungary, mayors now have the right to "select" residents of their towns after a new law was passed last summer. The far-right mayor of Pilis, a town of 12,000 inhabitants, is one of them. One former resident of the town, who was forced to leave, explains why he believes the procedure is discriminatory, particularly towards the Roma minority. Our France 2 colleagues report, with FRANCE 24's Florent Marchais. 

Shiite Persians make up 51 percent of Iran's population. Yet communities like the Azeris, Kurds, Balochs and Arabs also number in the millions. Historically, they have often been ignored or mistreated by the regime in Tehran, both under the shah and the Islamic Republic. These ethnic minorities could play a role in the current conflict raging in the Middle East. FRANCE 24's David Gilbert and Florent Marchais report.

Cubans, who have historically received preferential treatment from the US, have not been spared by President Donald Trump's war on immigration. The US has ended family reunification and legal immigration from Cuba by adding the island to its travel ban. It has also suspended temporary protection programmes, exposing thousands of people who arrived legally to deportation to a country suffering from severe US sanctions and crippling electricity blackouts.

In October 2025, a police operation left 122 people dead in the favelas of Penha and Alemão, in the north of Rio de Janeiro. Its aim was to weaken the Comando Vermelho, or "Red Command", one of Brazil's oldest and most powerful criminal organisations. The gang is growing rapidly; in 16 years it has increased its area of control by 90 percent and is extending its influence far beyond Brazil. 

The US-Israeli war against Iran has once again underlined the vulnerability of the world's oil and gas supplies. Iran's chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz has pushed up oil prices and threatened global economic stability. This comes at a time when wind farms and solar panels are providing real value. The wind-powered Danish island of Samsø is showing the way forward. FRANCE 24's Malcolm Brabant reports.   

Since 2015 and the outbreak of war between the Houthis, who control the north of Yemen, and the internationally recognised government in the south, the country's education system has been steadily collapsing. According to UNICEF, nearly 4 million Yemeni children are currently out of school, amounting to 40 percent of the under-18 population.

At the Joussieh border crossing near the Syrian city of Homs, thousands of Syrian refugees are fleeing the devastating war in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah. Driven out by Israeli air strikes after years of exile in Lebanon, families and children wait for hours before returning to a country where 90 percent of the population is surviving in post-Assad poverty. FRANCE 24's Dana Alboz and Hussam Hammoud report.

As yet another war rages in the Middle East, we take a closer look at the United States' military presence across the region. It's a presence that stretches back decades, but took on heightened visibility during the Iran-Iraq war of the 1980s, when both those nations began targeting oil tankers and merchant shipping vessels in the Arabian Gulf. Some 40,000 to 50,000 US troops are stationed across the region full-time. FRANCE 24's Luke Shrago and David Gilberg explain where they are stationed.

A verdict is expected soon in the landmark trial against Google and Meta in Los Angeles. At the heart of the case are repeated accusations that online platforms deliberately fuel social media addiction, especially among young users. The ruling could set a legal precedent and potentially impact thousands of other complaints filed across the United States. Regardless of the outcome, the trial has cast a spotlight on the growing mental health crisis among teenagers, with sometimes tragic consequences. FRANCE 24's Wassim Cornet, Pierrick Leurent and Valérie Defert report.

Since the 2017 embargo, one of Qatar's greatest nightmares has been that a war or geopolitical crisis would isolate Doha from the rest of the world. In late February, renewed tensions following the Israeli-American offensive against Iran brought these concerns to the fore once again. Over the past nine years, Qatar has built up strategic reserves, but has mostly invested heavily in boosting local food production. This has been a major challenge, given the country's harsh climate. Yet today, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and even mushrooms are being cultivated in the desert. For some, eating Qatari produce has even become a national duty. Amira Souilem and Chloé Domat report.

Housing is always a key issue in political campaigns, and it's no different in these local elections – it may be the top concern on voters' minds. For this edition, we head to the Basque Country in south-west France, where the picturesque coast has become a tourist hotspot. While tourism brings business opportunities, it has also created housing shortages for local residents. Clovis Casali reports from Biarritz.

A new violent escalation in Lebanon – but in reality, the war that began in 2023 never truly stopped. According to the United Nations, the ceasefire signed in November 2024 between Hezbollah and Israel has been violated more than 14,000 times by Israel. Then, in late February, Iran's supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, was assassinated in US-Israeli bombings. In response, Hezbollah – Lebanon's pro-Iran militia – retaliated from southern Lebanon, raising the risk of plunging the entire country into yet another full-scale war. Since then, Israeli evacuation orders have forced nearly a quarter of Lebanon's population to flee their homes.

In Egypt, Ramadan is not just a time for religious fasting – it is also a critical financial lifeline for the country's public and charitable healthcare system. Without the generosity of Zakat (obligatory alms) and Sadaqa (voluntary charity), many major hospitals would struggle to survive. For a month, Egyptian TV and social media are flooded with appeals from hospitals seeking donations, as competition for charity peaks. Hospitals spend millions on emotional campaigns, often featuring celebrities or popular songs. Some rely on Ramadan donations for up to 80% of their annual budgets. Yet behind these polished images lies a darker reality of Egypt's public healthcare system.

On Europe's eastern flank, the Baltic states – Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania – fear they could become Vladimir Putin's next target. After several drone incursions from Russia, the three countries are stepping up their defence strategies on the ground and in the air. This report from our colleagues at FRANCE 2 and FRANCE 24's Guillaume Gougeon.

While Germany faces a persistent shortage of skilled workers, one factor often overlooked is the impact of perimenopause. At this pivotal stage in their careers, many experienced women reduce their hours or leave the workforce because their needs are rarely recognised or supported. According to a survey, one in ten women has left – or plans to leave – work due to menopause symptoms, while one in four reduces her working hours.

In Nepal, 18 million people are eligible to vote in this Thursday's parliamentary elections. More than 120 parties are running, over a third of them created after the September 2025 uprising, which was largely driven by Generation Z. Among their demands: an end to corruption and nepotism and above all, job creation. Every day, nearly 2,000 young Nepalis leave the landlocked Himalayan country to find work abroad.

Swiss food giant Nestlé is facing criticism over the sugar content of Cerelac, its infant cereal brand sold in Africa. An investigation by the NGO Public Eye found that while the product is sold without added sugar in Europe, African versions can contain up to 15 percent sugar.

Japan is one of the few countries that still use the death penalty. The most recent execution took place in June 2025, when a man was hanged for killing nine people back in 2017. Japan and the United States are the only G7 countries to use capital punishment – a measure supported by the vast majority of Japanese citizens. FRANCE 24's Ayana Nishikawa, Alexis Bregere, Mélodie Sforza and Justin McCurry report.

Since Donald Trump's return to the White House, the US has seen a significant increase in book censorship. According to PEN America, more than 6,800 book bans have been recorded, with works by Stephen King now topping the list. He holds the unwanted title of the most banned author in the United States. In Texas, public school libraries have become the front line of an unprecedented political battle over free speech. FRANCE 24's Pierrick Leurent and Valérie Defert report.

Spread across eight nation-states, the Arctic Circle is home to a number of Indigenous peoples. US President Donald Trump's ambitions to take control of Greenland have caused concern but also kindled solidarity amongst these peoples, who call the coldest parts of the world home. FRANCE 24's Isabelle Romero and Luke Brown report from Norway. 

France is Europe's second-largest consumer of benzodiazepines – a class of sedatives that includes drugs like Valium and Xanax. Every year, nearly 10 million patients are prescribed these pills to treat anxiety and insomnia. While they are intended only for short-term use, treatments are often extended indefinitely, without proper supervision. Dependency sets in, affecting everyone from teenagers to elderly patients. FRANCE 24's Olivia Bizot reports. 

Wine is the lifeblood of France's southwestern Bordeaux region, employing 60,000 people both directly and indirectly. But faced with falling consumption, overproduction and the French state's "grubbing up" scheme, the wine industry is being forced to reinvent itself in order to survive. Winemakers are seeking new outlets, whether that means distilling surplus stock or developing sparkling or alcohol-free wines. FRANCE 24's Antonia Kerrigan and Fadile Bhayat report.

This Tuesday, February 24 marks four years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, forcing millions to flee their homes. Today there are an estimated four million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Ukraine. As the front line moves, endangering areas that were previously considered relatively safe, the shortage of suitable long-term accommodation options for these IDPs remains chronic. FRANCE 24's Gulliver Cragg, Illia Dyadik and Catalina Gomez report.

In undisclosed locations, volunteers meet regularly in the Belgian capital to assemble drones destined for Ukraine. Teachers, European civil servants, members of the Ukrainian diaspora and former military personnel are participating in this initiative coordinated by the NGO Wings for Europe. Funded by private donations, these devices are then sent to the front lines. FRANCE 24's Alix Le Bourdon and Dave Keating report from Brussels.

Hundreds of Kenyans have been recruited and sent to the front line in Ukraine as expendable troops for the Russian army. Some were unaware they were being deployed to war, believing instead that they had been offered legitimate employment abroad. After reports emerged of Kenyan citizens killed on the front line, Nairobi condemned the fake recruitment agencies accused of luring Africans with false promises. Meanwhile, the families of those who accepted the offers remain at home, struggling to cope and with no way of bringing their loved ones back. Report by Bastien Renouil, adapted by Tom Canetti.

Long considered a transit route, Pakistan is now emerging as a major hub for both drug production and consumption. This shift follows the upheaval triggered by the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan in 2021.

Bali's picture-postcard image is cracking. On Indonesia's premium tourist resort, the race to build luxury villas and hotels has triggered an unprecedented property frenzy. Farmland is carved up into plots, coastline is privatised and bogus permits issued.

Glaciers are vital to Earth's water supplies, yet they are being pushed to the brink of collapse. Half of the world's glaciers could disappear by the end of the century. A French mountain climber is putting her experience to use by helping scientists collect ice samples from major glaciers around the world. Living and dormant species found within them could provide vital clues in the fight against global warming. FRANCE 24's Juliette Alfano, Valérie Dekimpe and Alexandra Renard report.

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are using a new facial recognition smartphone app called Mobile Fortify to scan the faces of both US citizens and immigrants. They point a phone camera at their target and it pulls up the person's immigration status. Previously reserved for use at US borders or criminal investigations, the technology is causing concern among civil rights advocates, who fear widespread digital surveillance on American streets.