Focus

With CCTV cameras on almost every street corner, London is the European capital with the most video surveillance, and facial recognition is becoming increasingly prevalent. According to London's Metropolitan Police, this tool allows them to be more efficient in making arrests. But locals are divided on its implications for their privacy. Our France 2 colleagues report, with FRANCE 24's Florent Marchais.

As Hollywood faces an unprecedented crisis, Texas eyes an opportunity. Thanks to new tax incentives, the state is attracting producers and studios, with the ambition of promoting content aligned with family and Christian values. While the official goal is to create jobs in the industry, some lawmakers openly want to build a counterweight to Hollywood, which they see as ideologically hostile. FRANCE 24's Valérie Defert and Pierrick Leurent report from Fort Worth, with Wassim Cornet.

Senegal's former capital Saint-Louis, a coastal city and UNESCO World Heritage site, is threatened by rising sea levels caused by climate change. Estimates show that 70 percent of the city could disappear underwater by 2100. Thousands of fishermen have already been relocated. Our France 2 colleagues report, with FRANCE 24's Lauren Bain.

"Witch-hunting" remains widespread across India, targeting mostly village women who are often single, widowed or otherwise isolated. Many endure severe psychological torment, social ostracism and abuse including sexual violence. Although several states have enacted laws to curb it, "witch-hunting" remains a threat to women. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), more than 2,500 women have been killed over "witchcraft" since 2000. FRANCE 24's Khansa Juned and Lisa Gamonet report.

In the southern Tunisian town of Gabes, anger has been simmering in recent months as locals demand the dismantlement of the Tunisian Chemical Group. This state-owned enterprise turns phosphate into fertiliser, often emitting toxic gases. So far, however, protesters have not achieved their goals. Our correspondents report.

Iranians began taking to the streets in late December. What initially began with protests against the spiralling cost of living has grown into a nationwide protest movement against the country's theocracy led by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In response, authorities have cracked down hard. Will these protests lead to the end of the regime that has ruled Iran for 45 years? Our France 2 colleagues chronicle the events of the last two weeks, with FRANCE 24's Lauren Bain.

Until 1984, there was no road connecting the oasis of Siwa and its 8,000 Bedouin residents with the rest of Egypt. Lost deep in the desert near the Libyan border, the country's most remote oasis was long unknown to tourists. But over the past decade, videos of visitors floating in turquoise salt lakes, climbing the 13th-century citadel or wandering through palm groves have flooded social media.

Italy has become a pioneer in regulating artificial intelligence (AI). Last autumn, the Italian parliament approved a draft bill concerning the "Provisions and delegations to the government on artificial intelligence", a legal framework aimed at regulating the development of the technology. Our Italy correspondent Natalia Mendoza reports.

In the United States, driverless taxis piloted by artificial intelligence are appearing in cities from Los Angeles to Miami. But are these phantom drivers more or less prone to accidents than humans? Do robotaxis pose risks to our safety? Our France 2 colleagues went for a test drive. 

Between traffic, excessive use of car horns, building sites and religious celebrations, the ears of residents in Indian megacities like New Delhi and Mumbai rarely get a moment of respite. Authorities remain silent on possible solutions to combat this health scourge. Our correspondents Lisa Gamonet and Alban Alvarez report.

A new type of criminal activity known as yami baito is spreading in Japan. The modus operandi is simple: online ads offer easy, well-paid jobs such as parcel deliveries. But behind these tasks lie illegal activities. Many young recruits end up involved in scams, burglaries or phone fraud. They're the new foot soldiers of a vast criminal network that often preys on vulnerable elderly people. Our correspondents report.

Denmark has long been hailed as a digital champion, with online public services, digital IDs and tablets in schools as early as 2011. But authorities are now shifting course in the education and social sectors, following alarming figures on children's mental health and school performance. A massive return to analogue life is underway: mobile phones are banned in schools and after-school clubs, a return to pre-digital learning is being rolled out and social media will soon be banned for anyone under 15. Our team reports from Copenhagen.

Italy is getting ready to host the Winter Olympics, known as Milan Cortina 2026. The event is an opportunity to showcase the country to the rest of the world and is being held in four Italian regions. But less than two months before the arrival of the Olympic torch, the organisers are facing serious challenges and criticism is mounting over the Games' environmental impact. Our Italy correspondents report.

Despite being a neutral country, Switzerland counts hundreds of thousands of fallout shelters – enough to accommodate its entire population in the event of armed conflict. This culture of civil protection is a legacy of the Cold War. Now the war in Ukraine has revived interest in Switzerland's unique system, both at a national and international level. FRANCE 24's Jade Levin reports, with Josh Vardey. 

For more than a decade, the Greek island of Lesbos has been a symbol of Europe's migration crisis. Located close to Turkey, the island was a major entry point to the European Union back in 2015. But since then, arrivals have sharply decreased as Europe has tightened its border controls and outsourced part of its migration policy. Mortaza Behboudi reports from Lesbos, where refugees have often suffered a traumatic journey.

About once a week on average, Russia stages a massive combined drone and missile attack on Ukraine, usually targeting multiple cities. In the capital Kyiv alone, these attacks have killed more than 330 civilians since 2022. At least 900 others have been injured and thousands more have lost their property or car. All 3.7 million residents have lost countless hours of sleep. Our correspondent Gulliver Cragg reports on what has become normal life in the Ukrainian capital.

The war in Ukraine has pushed defence issues to the top of the agenda in Germany, where the federal government has confirmed that a military call-up will return as early as next year. All young men born from 2008 onwards will have to register and undergo medical exams, starting in 2027. To begin with, service will be voluntary. But if the ranks of Germany's armed forces are not filled fast enough, authorities reserve the right to bring back compulsory conscription, which was suspended in 2011. This prospect is awakening old ghosts: war, the militarisation of youth and conscientious objection. Our correspondents report.

During his papacy, Pope Francis encouraged the clergy to use the "digital continent" to broaden their evangelical work. They seem to have paid attention: over the last few years, a number of priests have launched themselves on social media, racking up millions of views. Just as Jesus is considered by many to be the first influencer in history, these modern-day priests declare they have the same goal: to bring more people into the Christian faith. Our Italy correspondents report.

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.