Focus

In the United Arab Emirates, the government has imposed quotas for hiring Emirati citizens across the private sector, with the aim of having them make up 10 percent of the workforce by 2026. So how are companies complying with these new rules and how can they change the habits of a population long accustomed to generous subsidies and low-stress government jobs? FRANCE 24's Sophie Guignon and Amélie Zaccour report. 

A few days ago, Aonishiki became the first Ukrainian wrestler to win a professional sumo tournament in Japan. At just 21 years old, he has risen up the ranks at record speed since he arrived in Japan in 2022, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Our Japan correspondents report.

Since Ahmed al-Sharaa and the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) took power in Syria a year ago after the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime, hundreds of thousands of Syrians have returned to their country. During the war, many were dispossessed of their land and homes under several laws and presidential decrees aimed at permanently preventing refugees from returning.

A year after the fall of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, more than 110,000 Syrians are still missing, including several thousand children. Were they killed? Illegally adopted? Their fate remains unclear, but testimonies and official documents now reveal that some children were taken from their parents and forcibly placed in orphanages, before disappearing. FRANCE 24's Jenna Le Bras and Jessica Le Masurier report.

One year ago, Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad fled the country aboard a Russian military aircraft. Twelve months later, the country continues to grapple with the aftermath of more than a decade of conflict. The city of Homs was central to the Syrian revolution. But now, it appears trapped in a vicious cycle of sectarian violence. Despite promises of stability, attacks on Alawites are increasing and violence is escalating. Residents paint a picture of daily life marred by fear and the impunity of those responsible for attacks. FRANCE 24's Dana Alboz reports, with Lauren Bain.

Every year, hundreds of rhinos are killed for their horns, which are trafficked mainly to Asia for use in traditional medicine. As part of the "G20 Heritage Projects", a large-scale campaign was launched in mid-July in South Africa to help save the rhino from extinction. The "Rhino Renaissance Campaign" brings together advanced surveillance technology, the involvement of local communities and radical conservation measures – including dehorning – to combat poaching. FRANCE 24's Eunice Stoltz-Masson and Caroline Dumay report.

They once chased the American dream. Now, thousands of Mexicans are being deported back to a country they barely remember, or never even knew. According to Mexican government figures, more than 100,000 Mexicans have been expelled under US President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown since January. The initial shock of returning is just the beginning – the real struggle comes as they try to rebuild their lives. FRANCE 24's Laurence Cuvillier and Matthieu Comin report, with Ed Augustin.

For over a year, authoritarianism has been gaining ground in Georgia. More than a hundred pro-European protesters are currently behind bars. In the midst of this crisis, a group of mothers have created a newspaper from scratch, in which they publish letters from their imprisoned sons. They are travelling across the country to raise awareness of the crackdown and counter the regime's propaganda. Our regional correspondents Taline Oundjian and Théo Bourgery Gonse report.

Dried-up lakes, recurrent water cuts and undrinkable water: residents of the Iranian capital Tehran are suffering the consequences of an unprecedented drought. For this report, they agreed to film their daily lives. To combat the water shortage, the authorities are organising prayers for rain. President Masoud Pezeshkian has even said he is considering moving the capital from Tehran. However, not everyone supports the idea. Our France 2 colleagues report, with FRANCE 24's Lauren Bain.

South Korea's close ties to China were evident at the recent APEC summit, where Chinese leader Xi Jinping held positive talks with his South Korean counterpart Lee Jae-myung during a three-day state visit. But many ordinary South Koreans feel differently. Mistrust of China is on the rise, fuelled by social media disinformation spread by the far right. Sinophobia is on full display at huge demonstrations that are worrying Chinese communities in South Korea. FRANCE 24's Chloé Borgnon and Justin McCurry report.

Since the fall of the Syrian regime in December 2024, the NGO Handicap International has recorded 725 accidents and nearly 1,400 victims of landmines and explosive ordnance throughout the country, compared to 933 victims in 2023. The increase in these figures in recent months is partly due to the return of residents to war-torn areas previously occupied by Assad's forces.

Israeli society is split over the issue of compulsory military service for the ultra-Orthodox community. Ultra-Orthodox Jews, who represent 15 percent of the population, have historically been exempt from service. But a bill has now been proposed to lift this exemption, in response to growing needs within the army after two years of war in Gaza. Since the summer, around 100 young people who refused their conscription orders have been arrested. Our correspondent Claire Duhamel reports, with Josh Vardey.

In the UK, one of the key architects of the campaign to leave the EU is currently the favourite to become the next prime minister. Nigel Farage and his right-wing populist party, Reform UK, are soaring in the polls. For years, Farage has argued that immigration is the cause of Britain's problems, from the rising cost of living to long hospital waiting lists. FRANCE 24's Clovis Casali and Claire Paccalin travelled around the UK to find out what impact this message is having on British people. 

In Pakistan, some women are murdered simply for having a TikTok account, one of the most popular social media platforms in the country. On July 11, in Rawalpindi, a 16-year-old girl was shot dead by her father because she refused to delete her profile. A month earlier, Sana Yousaf, aged 17 and with nearly a million followers, was murdered in her Islamabad home by a man whose advances she had rejected. Female influencers in Pakistan are frowned upon and become targets. FRANCE 24's Shahzaib Wahlah and Ondine de Gaulle report.

The province of Ituri, in eastern DR Congo, has been devastated by decades of ethnic conflict. Violence has exploded since the 1990s, with the Hema and Lendu communities clashing over access to land and mining resources. According to the United Nations, over 1,000 people have been killed since January and more than a million inhabitants have been driven from their homes. Our correspondents Aurélie Bazzara-Kibangula and Emmet Livingstone spoke to residents traumatised by the atrocities. Warning: this report contains descriptions of violence that some viewers may find disturbing.

Russia has long been a preferred destination for students from across Africa seeking affordable higher education. In 2023, Russia estimated that 32,000 students from the Middle East were living in the country — nearly half of them Egyptian. But in recent months, controversy has erupted in Egypt following the publication of a YouTube video that showed a Ukrainian-held prisoner of war. The young man, Amar Mohamed, was an Egyptian student in Russia who had been persuaded by Moscow's propaganda machine to join the army.

In recent months, Germany has seen a sharp rise in hate crimes targeting the queer community. Figures from the Federal Criminal Police Office and the Federal Ministry of the Interior recorded 1,765 criminal offences in 2024 under the subcategory "sexual orientation" – an increase of around 18 percent compared to the previous year. The surge in attacks is largely attributed to the far right and is causing deep concern within the LGBT+ community, in a country long regarded as tolerant toward sexual and gender minorities – particularly in the capital Berlin. Our correspondents report.

China has some 36 million EVs (electric vehicles) on its roads. But their batteries don't last forever. With the first generation of EVs coming to the end of their lifespans, Beijing now faces a new problem: how to recycle and reuse the thousands of EV batteries that are spread across the country? Our correspondents Jan Camenzind Broomby and Eudeline Boishult report.

Vietnam's Mekong Delta is under serious threat from climate change. The agricultural region, which produces half of the country's food supply, is being hit hard by rising sea levels and saltwater intrusion, which devastate rice crops. The landscape is changing, and with it, the delicate balance of an entire ecosystem. FRANCE 24's William de Tamaris, Aruna Popuri, Melodie Sforza and Justin McCurry report. 

After emergency services received the first distress calls during the November 13, 2015 Paris terror attacks, police officers from the anti-crime brigade were the first to arrive at the Bataclan concert hall. Outside, they came under fire from automatic assault rifles. Inside, they only had their handguns to stop the carnage. Ten years on, the police have learned lessons. These everyday police officers, who are the first responders in the event of a terror attack, are now better equipped thanks to new gear and more thorough training. FRANCE 24's Marie Schuster was given exclusive access to their preparation.

Pakistan is one of the worst affected countries by period poverty. According to UNICEF, nearly 44 percent of girls lack access to the minimum resources needed to manage their periods, whether at home, at school or at work. Limited access to menstrual hygiene products, clean water and sanitation facilities, coupled with a lack of information, has serious consequences, preventing many girls and women from attending school or work. Our correspondents report.

Since Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's government came to power three years ago following a serious political crisis, Iraq has been experiencing one of the calmest and most stable periods of the last two decades. The capital Baghdad is currently undergoing major renovation work. FRANCE 24's Marie-Charlotte Roupie reports, with Josh Vardey.

As the COP30 climate summit opens in the Brazilian Amazon city of Belem, Brazil is stepping up its race for oil. The government agency in charge of environmental protection recently authorised oil giant Petrobras to drill several oil wells at the mouth of the Amazon River. Environmental protection groups predict the move will lead to an ecological and social disaster. But on the border with French Guiana, many in the town of Oiapoque are eagerly awaiting the oil. FRANCE 24's Marine Resse, Fanny Lothaire and Jan Onoszko report.

With the COP30 climate summit under way in Brazil, we take you to the United Arab Emirates, one of the most arid countries in the world. There, the government has implemented a cloud-seeding programme to increase rainfall. While the UAE mainly uses seawater desalination to obtain water, it has also employed this cutting-edge technology as drought continues to worsen in the Middle East. It's therefore a necessity, but also a soft power tool for the Gulf monarchy, which plans to become a global leader in access to "blue gold" and will host the next UN Water Conference in 2026. FRANCE 24's Amélie Zaccour and Sophie Guignon report, with Josh Vardey.

The COP30 climate summit will open on November 10 in Belem, a city in Brazil's Amazon, as the rainforest continues to be threatened by deforestation. One reason is the mining of gold – essential for smartphones and computers. Peru is South America's leading producer of the precious metal. With prices reaching record highs, artisanal mines are operating at full capacity, polluting the rainforest in the process. In response, some are now trying to reduce the environmental impact of their activities and offering "clean" gold. FRANCE 24's Agathe Fourcade and Martin Chabal report, with Wassim Cornet.

In the Ukrainian village of Kivshovata, south of Kyiv, air raid sirens have become part of everyday life. Although far from the front line, Kivshovata lies on the flight path for Russian drones and missiles. It is also home to a unique youth orchestra that has become famous in Ukraine for its piece the "Shahed Overture", which reproduces the sounds of a night of war. Our correspondent Gulliver Cragg reports.

As Europe tightens up its borders and makes migration policy stricter, Spain has surprised with a welcoming approach to migrants. Between January and June of this year, 77,000 asylum seekers arrived in Spain. The Socialist-led government sees immigration as an economic asset and has rolled out measures to legalise and integrate new arrivals. FRANCE 24's Sarah Morris, Maude Petit-Jové and Mathilde Lopinski report.

Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic candidate in New York City's mayoral race, is shaking up US politics. The 34-year-old could make history on Tuesday by becoming the city's first Muslim and South Asian mayor. His Socialist policies have electrified younger voters, while frightening conservatives and the old guard of the Democratic Party. Can a socialist stand up to US President Donald Trump and win? Our correspondents Jessica Le Masurier and Yves Schaeffner followed Mamdani on the campaign trail. 

French tomato producers are seeing red, angry at what they believe is unfair competition from Morocco. In one of the most arid parts of the North African country, thousands of workers pick tomatoes that will eventually be sold to French supermarkets for just 99 cents a basket – that's two to three times cheaper than French tomatoes. But at what price? The Franco-Moroccan company Azura faces accusations of exploiting migrant workers on its ultra-modern farms. It opened its doors to our France 2 colleagues.

Three years after her arrival at the Palazzo Chigi, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni still enjoys high approval ratings. The strict budget policies of her government have paid off: credit rating agencies have upgraded Italy's sovereign debt rating.

Dutch voters head to the polls on October 29 and far-right parties have made immigration the central issue of the campaign. This hardline rhetoric led to anti-immigrant riots in September in The Hague and violent protests in towns where asylum centres are set to open. Geert Wilders' anti-immigration PVV is expected to become the largest party in parliament after the elections, but other parties are also adopting his anti-immigrant narrative and rising in the polls, notably the far-right party JA21. FRANCE 24's Fernande van Tets and Alix Le Bourdon report.

Twenty-three years after obtaining its independence, East Timor is starting a new chapter in its history. The small Southeast Asian country has just joined the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, the region's most influential bloc. The move, which was finalised during this week's ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur, gives the state diplomatic recognition as it attempts to put its turbulent past behind it and focus on development. FRANCE 24's Juliette Chaignon, Guillaume Gosalbes, Aruna Popuri and Justin McCurry report from the capital Dili.

Over 6000 Ukrainian prisoners have been liberated from Russian prisons since the beginning of the war. But behind the scenes of their touching reunions with loved ones is their hidden traumas- both physical and mental. For former detainees, the long road to healing has just begun. A report by our colleages at France 2 (English adapt by Lauren Bain). 

The election campaign in Ivory Coast has come with an upsurge in disinformation on social media. Supporters of both the ruling and opposition parties have circulated fake news about presidential candidates and Abidjan is concerned about destabilisation attempts from abroad, including from its neighbour Burkina Faso. As a response, the Ivorian government has begun censoring posts and making arrests. This report by Julia Guggenheim and Damien Koffi (Adapted by Tom Canetti).

When the Islamic State group was defeated in 2019, more than 40,000 men, women, and children were held in the al-Hol camp in northeastern Syria. Alongside civilians fleeing the fighting, families of Islamic State group members were also detained. Faced with the ongoing challenge of managing this sprawling camp, authorities have begun implementing a large-scale repatriation policy. Most Iraqi residents have returned home, while Syrians are being allowed to leave in small numbers. Among those who have managed to leave, some families have chosen to return to the northeastern province of Deir ez-Zor. These women linked to the IS group are now trying to find their place in today's Syria, as FRANCE 24's Marie-Charlotte Roupie reports.

Illegal meat trafficking is on the rise, with quantities seized by customs becoming increasingly significant. From simple steak portions hidden under car bonnets to entire quarters of beef stacked on the back seats, the illegal import of meat from France to Switzerland has massively increased in recent years. The reason for this illicit trade: the price of meat, which is two to three times lower on the French side.

The state of Kerala, in southern India, is home to the country's most famous spice route. From the hills where the spices are grown to the ports where they're shipped across the world, we take you on a journey through the colours, flavours and traditions of this timeless trade. Our France 2 colleagues report, with FRANCE 24's Guillaume Gougeon.

Earlier this month, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a law that made assisted dying permanent in the state, after an initial law was passed in 2016. At the time, the change was a turning point in the approach to end-of-life care for people with terminal illnesses. Almost 10 years on, how have views changed on the practice? Has it become more accepted among doctors? And has assisted dying been resorted to unnecessarily, as many critics feared? FRANCE 24's Pierrick Leurent reports, with Wassim Cornet.

India, home to 1.45 billion people, recently overtook China as the world's most populous country. Yet, behind this demographic milestone lies an unexpected challenge. While national leaders once warned that a large population could hinder development, several southern states are now facing the opposite problem – falling fertility rates. This decline is more than just a demographic issue. A shrinking birth rate could reduce the future workforce, strain healthcare and social services, and weaken political influence, since parliamentary representation and federal funding are tied to population size.

Researchers, professors, and scientists are leaving Donald Trump's America in increasing numbers, choosing to settle in Canada. Their reasons are often the same: concern over the country's authoritarian drift and the freezing or cancellation of thousands of scientific research grants. The US brain drain is real. In response, Canadian cities are launching targeted recruitment drives and programmes for international students to attract fresh talent. François Rihouay and Joanne Profeta bring this report.

Miners in Kenya risk their lives every day to extract gold 30 meters below the Earth's surface. With the recent gold rush in the country, artisanal mining is raising concerns over negative environmental consequences and poor labor conditions. Our colleagues at France Télévisions Lucile Chaussoy, Fabien Fougère, and Joseph Bohbot and France 24's Florent Marchais have this report.

It's one of the biggest corruption scandals the Philippines has seen since the final years of dictator Ferdinand Marcos. The government has admitted that 70 percent of the funds allocated for flood control measures have been embezzled since 2023, including a staggering eight billion euros in 2025 alone. Chloe Borgnon, Constantin Simon, Justin McCurry, and Aruna Popuri report from Manila Bay.