Focus

About 20 years ago, the Russian state began a large-scale operation to take control of Orthodox parishes all over Europe. Some of these had, over time, broken ties with the Moscow patriarchate. They're now the object of legal cases pitting the Russian Federation against local associations created to run these expatriate churches during the Soviet era. In April, a court in the French city of Nice ruled that a church and historic cemetery there rightfully belonged to Russia, rather than to the local cultural association. For some of its parishioners, seeing the French justice system side with the country waging war against Ukraine has been hard to accept. Descendants of the Russian tsars, on the other hand, welcome this decision. FRANCE 24's Elena Volochine reports.

On July 11, 1995, Srebrenica – a small Yugoslav spa town, now located in Bosnia and Herzegovina – became the site of Europe's last genocide of the 20th century. Thirty years later, the town, whose population is now 60 percent Bosniaks and 40 percent Serbs, has not regained its former glory and remains haunted by the memory of one of the worst crimes of the Yugoslav wars. FRANCE 24's Laurent Rouy, Edward Godsell and Nikola Vrzic report.

Exactly 40 years ago, a Greenpeace ship called the Rainbow Warrior was bombed in New Zealand, killing a photographer on board. It later emerged that the attack was carried out by France's foreign intelligence agency, the DGSE. Its aim was to stop the boat from disrupting nuclear tests being carried out off the coast of French Polynesia. Decades on from that testing, a parliamentary inquiry committee has been set up to investigate what France did to the region and the impact on victims. FRANCE 24's David Gilberg, Chloé Bach Chaouch and Jonathan Walsh report, with Lauren Bain.

This week marks six months since deadly wildfires tore through parts of Los Angeles, in the city's worst-ever disaster. The fire destroyed over 16,000 homes and businesses. Since then, the progress made has been staggering, but many hurdles remain on the road to recovery, on top of the trauma that has affected thousands of displaced residents. FRANCE 24's Pierrick Leurent and Wassim Cornet report.

More 20,000 people arrived in the UK in the first half of this year by crossing the English Channel in small boats. That figure is up 48 percent on the first six months of 2024. The number is especially high at this time of year, because of the warm summer weather and calmer waters. Efforts to crack down on illegal immigration will be among the issues discussed this week as French President Emmanuel Macron makes a state visit to the UK. French police face resistance from migrants determined to complete the last step in the journey, and reach the UK. 

Artificial intelligence is set to revolutionise warfare. With the help of its algorithms, armies can exponentially increase their capacity for analysis and precision targeting. In military circles, some describe defence AI as a game changer comparable to the invention of the atomic bomb. Between major powers such as the US, China and Russia, an "intelligent arms" race is already on. France, not wishing to be left behind, plans to invest €2 billion in defence AI by 2030. In this exclusive report, FRANCE 24's Elena Volochine met some of the French forces learning how to use this technology, as well as the engineers developing them and the top officials working on a framework for them to operate in. 

It's the oldest Communist guerrilla group in the world. The New People's Army (NPA) has waged a violent campaign against the Philippine government since 1969. The conflict has killed an estimated 40,000 people. But today, the rebel group is struggling. Since the failure of a 2019 ceasefire, Manila has hunted down Communist sympathisers, mainly in the movement's rural strongholds.

Serbia is home to a large Russian and Belarusian community, which has increased in number since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. But the small Balkan country was already a popular destination for Russians and Belarusians looking to move abroad. Among this older population of Russian and Belarusian immigrants, those who want to adopt Serbian nationality have been facing administrative difficulties for the past two years, resulting in them becoming stateless. FRANCE 24's Laurent Rouy, Aleksandar Cvrkotic, Edward Godsell and Paul Murray report.

Every year in Japan, thousands of fathers fall victim to parental child abduction. It very often follows the same pattern: the Japanese mother leaves suddenly with the child and then forbids the father from seeing them again. These are abductions that fathers – Japanese and foreign alike – are powerless to fight, since Japan is one of the only countries in the world that does not recognise joint custody post-marriage. After a divorce, custody is granted to only one parent. But now, the law is about to change. FRANCE 24's correspondents Alexis Bregere, Mélodie Sforza and Adam Hancock report.

Myanmar is the world's leading producer of jade. Up to 90 percent of global supply of the precious stone is mined in the country's northern Kachin state, despite a decades-long armed rebellion raging there. According to the NGO Global Witness, some 90 percent of this jade is then smuggled out of the country – almost all of it to neighbouring China. Once favoured by emperors to defy death, jade and its knock-offs continue to be worn as a status symbol. Our correspondents Yena Lee, Yorben den Hartog and Jasmine Ling report. 

As global demand for sustainable solutions rises, India is emerging as a significant player in the booming seaweed industry. With over 7,500 kilometres of coastline and more than 800 native seaweed species, the country is turning to this climate-friendly marine crop not just as a source of organic fertiliser, but as a powerful tool in the fight against climate change. Through its ambitious "seaweed mission" and planned investment of $86.8 million, India aims to increase seaweed production to 11 million tonnes by 2025, unlocking new opportunities in agriculture, food and cosmetics. FRANCE 24's Khansa Juned and Lisa Gamonet report.

The Taliban have severely restricted the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan since returning to power in August 2021. Nearly 2.2 million girls are deprived of education, with girls banned from school after the age of 12 years, while women are not allowed to work in most sectors of society. In response, more and more Afghan women in the capital Kabul are using art as an act of hope and resistance. FRANCE 24's team reports, with Shahzaib Wahlah.

For years now, Dutch authorities have been regularly dismantling illegal drug labs producing amphetamines, ecstasy and cocaine – often hidden away in remote, rural areas. But one of the lesser-known consequences of this illegal industry is the severe environmental pollution it leaves behind. Barrels filled with hazardous substances are frequently dumped in forests, fields and even protected nature reserves. Last year alone, 217 illegal dumping sites were discovered across the country. FRANCE 24's Ingrid Gercama and Alix Le Bourdon report.

Spain's countryside is the most depopulated in Europe. Some villages have just one resident left in them. But locals are fighting back, determined to attract new inhabitants. FRANCE 24's Maude Petit-Jové and Maxime Bergeron report from Spanish two villages that are managing to turn the tide of urbanisation.

Last year, Egypt set a new record for fruit and vegetable exports: nearly 7 million tonnes, valued at €6 billion, with 20 percent destined for Europe. According to the World Bank, agriculture is the sector that employs the highest proportion of women in the country: around 45 percent nationwide, and as high as 94 percent in Upper Egypt. But in the fields, the working conditions of the 5 million female farm workers are dire: no contracts, half the wages of men and scorching temperatures. Grassroots organisations are now stepping in, campaigning to formalise women's labour, demand fair pay, ensure workplace safety and fight for recognition. FRANCE 24's Mathilde Delvigne and Nuria Tesón report.

The fall of Bashar al-Assad last December did not erase the deep-rooted prejudices within Syrian society. Identity and political divisions remain vivid, and since January, sectarian clashes have been increasing. In a country as fragmented as Syria, old grudges are simmering, with many taking justice into their own hands – driven by a thirst for revenge against those they view as traitors or internal enemies. Amid this escalating violence, the authorities insist they are committed to holding those responsible accountable. Meanwhile, civil society is doing what it can to keep hope alive by calling for dialogue and pushing for national unity. Our correspondent in Syria, Jenna Le Bras, reports.

An increasing number of US veterans are sounding the alarm. Behind US President Donald Trump's patriotic rhetoric, fundamental social benefits for veterans are being eroded: access to healthcare is being slowed down, medical staff are being laid off, and aid for transgender veterans is being discreetly cut. Trump's plan also includes up to 80,000 job cuts at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Despite a majority of veterans voting for Trump at last year's election, some are now denouncing rampant privatisation that's impacting the most vulnerable in the community. A silent rift is opening up between the nation and those who risked their lives for it. FRANCE 24's Matthieu Mabin and Fraser Jackson report.

In recent years, the fight against air pollution has become a major issue for large urban areas. Measures such as low-emission and pedestrian zones in city centres are now beginning to pay off. According to the Paris-based air quality monitor AirParif, pollution in the Paris region has been halved in 20 years. The city of Lyon has also deployed a series of measures to discourage drivers from driving in the city's historic centre that sits between two rivers. But not everyone is happy about these changes to the urban landscape. Our France 2 colleagues report, with FRANCE 24's Guillaume Gougeon.

On May 30, five members of a music group in Mexico were found murdered in the northeast of the country. Their group played a popular musical genre known as "narcocorridos" or "corridos tumbados" – songs that glorify drug cartels. After a string of controversial concerts, this type of music has become the subject of heated debate in Mexico. The government is trying to curb the influence of songs that praise cartel bosses. Meanwhile, "narcocorridos" performers are complaining of censorship. FRANCE 24's Quentin Duval, Laurence Cuvillier and Ed Augustin report.

The world's largest landlocked body of water, the Caspian Sea, is evaporating at an alarming pace. Since the 1990s, its level has fallen by more than 3 metres. With ports drying up, fishing in decline and the economy in turmoil, Kazakhstan is bearing the brunt of the consequences. Like the Aral Sea before it, the Caspian could dry up almost completely if no action is taken. That would be an ecological disaster with massive consequences for the whole country. FRANCE 24's Lucie Berbey and Mathieu Beaudouin report, with Anna Hartley.

Artificial intelligence is becoming part of our everyday lives. More and more families are using it with their children, whether it's to help with homework or just for fun. But while AI has many benefits, it's important that both parents and children understand the risks. Our France 2 colleagues report, with FRANCE 24's Guillaume Gougeon.

The Maldives, a dream destination in the Indian Ocean that's popular with tourists from around the world, is threatened by rising sea levels – a direct consequence of climate change. Scientists warn the archipelago could even disappear by the end of the century. The country is building artificial islands to support its economy, which is heavily dependent on tourism. But these projects are accelerating coastal erosion, and NGOs are concerned about the devastating effects on reefs. As a result, some inhabitants have already been forced to leave their homes. FRANCE 24's Léa Delfolie and Aminath Liuvina report, with Anna Hartley.

As the French coastal city of Nice hosts the UN Ocean Conference, we take you to Kenya, where small-scale fishermen are struggling. Fish stocks are dwindling, and their nets often come up empty. The reason: some foreign industrial trawlers – mainly Chinese, Tanzanian, and Italian – are overfishing and damaging marine ecosystems, often with little oversight. But a grassroots response is taking shape. With protected areas, stricter fishing rules and coral reef restoration, coastal communities are working to reclaim and protect their waters. FRANCE 24's Clément Di Roma reports, with Olivia Bizot.

More than 200 Palestinian journalists have been killed by the Israeli army in Gaza. Their colleagues across the Palestinian territories aim to honour them by providing information, whatever the cost. In the occupied West Bank, the Israeli army has recently ramped up raids on Palestinian property, with the presence of journalists not welcome. FRANCE 24's Amira Souilem and Mohammad Abed went to meet Palestinian journalists in the West Bank to better understand the risks they face on a daily basis.

Burundi goes to the polls this Thursday to elect MPs and local councillors. But the election has already been heavily criticised, with many candidates disqualified by the electoral commission – including longtime opposition figure Agathon Rwasa. Burundi is also affected by the conflict in neighbouring DR Congo. More than 71,000 Congolese nationals have fled the fighting between the Congolese army and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels since January. Many have crossed into Burundi, making this the largest refugee influx the country has seen in decades. The chaos of war has torn families apart, as our regional correspondent reports.

For several years, the Kédougou region in the far east of Senegal has been experiencing a gold rush. This race for the precious metal has led to a proliferation of artisanal mining sites, drawing thousands of gold miners from across West Africa. But alongside the economic boom, the region has seen a surge in human trafficking. In particular, hundreds of Nigerian women are forced into prostitution at the mining sites. This exploitation is driven by extensive transnational networks whose reach spans nearly every gold mining site in West Africa and beyond. Our Senegal correspondents report.

An investigation by South Korea's Truth and Reconciliation Commission wrapped up on May 26 and its findings are damning. The body was set up in 2022 following a petition signed by hundreds of adoptees of South Korean origin from around the world, denouncing the illegal circumstances of their adoption. While the final report is still pending, the commission's interim findings make for difficult reading: they reveal serious human rights violations, including fraudulent registration of orphans, falsified identities and inadequate oversight of adoptive parents.

France's overseas territory of New Caledonia is facing a growing crisis. The number of healthcare workers has dropped dramatically, particularly since the unrest of May 2024. In response, authorities are offering incentives – such as annual contracts and free accommodation – to attract doctors and nurses back to the island. But in the meantime, volunteers are stepping in to train locals in basic medical care, as clinics and hospitals across the island remain closed due to staff shortages. Our France 2 colleagues report, with FRANCE 24's Guillaume Gougeon.

In Tunisia, operations to dismantle migrant camps in the olive groves of Sfax, in the east of the country, have been gathering pace since April. According to National Guard figures, between 20,000 and 30,000 migrants from sub-Saharan Africa had been living in these makeshift camps. But is this strategy effective, and at what human cost? Our correspondents Lilia Blaise and Hamdi Tlili report.

Behind the skyscrapers and luxurious resorts of the United Arab Emirates, a silent health crisis is looming. According to a study published in The Lancet, the prevalence of overweight and obesity among adult men in the UAE is set to rise from 84 percent in 2021 to 94 percent by 2050, placing the country among the worst affected in the world. This epidemic is fuelled by unbalanced eating habits, a growing reliance on home deliveries and a sedentary lifestyle. The consequences are serious: diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease. The Emirati authorities are taking action, in particular by targeting younger generations, but significant progress still needs to be made. Our team on the ground reports.

As the war in Ukraine rages on, soldiers on the eastern front are taking steps to become less reliant on foreign aid. According to government figures, 40 percent of the weapons used are now produced in Ukraine, from cannons to anti-tank mines. Our colleagues at France 2 sent us this report. 

French deputies are set to vote Tuesday on a controversial bill regarding end-of-life options before it moves to the Senate. The proposed “right to aid in dying” has divided politicians and healthcare professionals and reignited heated bioethical debates. In this report from France 2, palliative care workers and patients share their views on the matter.

While all eyes are on Gaza, another war is being fought for control of Jerusalem. Hundreds of Israeli police officers mobilised Monday for Jerusalem Day, commemorating the city's total conquest by Israel in 1967. It's an opportunity for Israeli nationalists to reaffirm their hold on the city – and, increasingly, for scenes of violence against Palestinians in the Old City in occupied East Jerusalem.

In the United States, gun ownership is a constitutional right. Recently, a federal appeals court overturned a ban on Americans aged 18 to 21 purchasing firearms. Yet, they are the leading cause of death among children and adolescents in the country. Some, encouraged by their parents, learn to shoot at a young age. Others face tragic consequences. We bring you this report from France 2. 

In a rare glimmer of hope, 115 Gazans have resettled in France through a university refugee programme, though many had to leave their families behind. Meanwhile, the situation in Gaza grows dire, with 2 million people facing famine, according to the World Health Organization. The World Food Program has exhausted its aid supplies, and while Israel allowed a small number of food trucks to enter on Sunday, humanitarian organisations say it's far from enough after two months of a complete blockade. France 2 has the full report.

On October 29, 2024, flash floods in Spain's eastern Valencia region claimed 228 lives. More than six months later, residents are still struggling to rebuild. Beyond the economic toll, many say they cannot move on until accountability is addressed. Victims argue that lives lost – in cars, basements, and on the streets – could have been saved if regional authorities had issued timely and adequate warnings. FRANCE 24's Sarrah Morris reports.

Decommissioning the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Japan began soon after it suffered a triple meltdown in March 2011. Fourteen years on, the work continues. This summer will mark two years since Tokyo Electric Power Company, the plant's operator, began discharging water that was used to cool the damaged reactors into the sea. In November last year, workers removed a few grams of radioactive debris from a reactor for the first time. A second extraction took place a few weeks ago. Neighbourhoods closest to the plant are still off-limits, but other areas are safe to live in. For some residents, life is slowly returning to normal. Justin McCurry, Alexis Bregere and Airi Futakuchi Report.

Poland goes to the polls on Sunday for the first round of presidential elections. In a country that borders Ukraine and plays a key role in Western support to Kyiv, the stakes are high. So, the authorities say, is the level of attempted Russian meddling. From stoking a migrant crisis on the eastern border, to disinformation, cyberattacks and arson, Poland's government believes it is currently the most targeted country in the EU for Russian destabilisation efforts. Our correspondent Gulliver Cragg reports.

It's been a deadly start to the year in Peru. The country has already seen more than 700 homicides: a 20 percent increase compared to last year. These murders are often the result of extortion attempts, a crime that is also on the rise and affects all sectors: business owners, bus drivers and even private schools. To deal with the violence, the government declared a state of emergency in the capital Lima on March 18, but that has done little to help. Across the city, residents are exhausted and frightened. FRANCE 24's Agathe Fourcade and Martin Chabal report, with Wassim Cornet.

In the Gulf of Mexico, the prawn fishing industry has been undermined for several years by foreign competition, particularly from Asia and South America. US shrimp fishermen find it impossible to cope with the low import prices charged by these countries when they themselves are faced with rising fuel prices and inflation. In the state of Louisiana, one in 70 jobs is linked to fishing, meaning that an entire way of life is threatened by globalisation. Some of those fishermen say Donald Trump's import tariffs, which have now been suspended for 90 days, offer a glimmer of hope to an industry on its last legs. FRANCE 24's Fanny Allard reports, with Fraser Jackson.

Specialising in combat and equestrian aerobatics, Kazakhstan supplies many of the stuntmen for Hollywood productions such as "Mulan" and "Napoleon". With its spectacular landscapes and recognised expertise, the country is becoming a new hub for action films, attracting more and more international shoots. Buoyed by the success of its stuntmen, the Kazakh film industry as a whole is now enjoying a golden age. FRANCE 24's team reports.

The twin cities of Windsor, Canada, and Detroit, United States, separated only by a river, have a long history as automotive manufacturing hubs. But since Donald Trump launched a bitter trade war by imposing sanctions on long-time ally Canada in early April, this once friendly relationship has been on shaky ground. Our colleagues from FRANCE 2 travelled to the region to hear from residents on both sides of the border.