Focus

In keeping with a timetable imposed by the EU, France is preparing to open up its railways to competition. Private operators could be running the country's train lines as soon as 2021. Across the Channel, the UK privatised its railways in the 1990s and 25 years on, passengers are not too happy. French rail unions are even holding the UK up as an example of what not to do when it comes to privatisation. FRANCE 24's Haxie Meyers-Belkin and Jonathan Walsh report. A programme prepared by Rebecca Martin and Gaëlle Essoo.

This Easter, we turn our attention to India's Christian minority, which represents 2% of the population, or some 25 million people. Amid a rise in Hindu fundamentalism, attacks on India's Christians have sharply increased in the past two years. This comes despite a clause in the country's constitution that guarantees the freedom to openly practice any religion. Our correspondents report. A programme prepared by James Vasina and Gaëlle Essoo.

Am Anfang stand das Wort und Patti Basler begann es zu formen. Als Bauerntochter im aargauischen Fricktal aufgewachsen, wurde sie erst Lehrerin, dann Autorin und Kabarettistin. Und seit einigen Tagen ist sie Vize-Schweizermeisterin im Poetry Slam. In ihrem Kopf schreibe es den ganzen Tag, sagt Patti Basler, weil sie aber schreibfaul sei, komme nur wenig davon zu Papier. Sie tourt mit einem abendfüllenden Programm, moderiert, protokolliert und slamt, auf der Bühne im Radio, im Fernsehen. Eine ziemlich fleissige Faule. Im «Focus» kriegt sie Raum zur Kontemplation.

Every Friday since last month’s murder of journalist Jan Kuciak, the movement “For an honest Slovakia” has brought out thousands of protesters on the streets. These are the biggest protests Slovakia, now an EU member, has seen since the end of communism in 1989. The protesters demand the end to corruption. Kuciak was working on the Italian mafia's activities in the country when he was killed. Prime Minister Robert Fico has since tendered his resignation, but the protesters say that's not enough. A program prepared by Patrick Lovett and Rebecca Martin.

In Mexico, more than 8,500 indigenous people who don't speak Spanish are in prison for crimes they claim they didn't commit. The country’s indigenous groups are very vulnerable at the hands of police and judges and are subject to everything from discriminatory sentencing, to a lack of interpreters at hearings, and basic confusion over how the judicial system works. The result is that many become victims of abuse from authorities. FRANCE 24 met one of the alleged victims in prison. A program prepared by Patrick Lovett and Rebecca Martin.

In 1957, at the height of the Battle of Algiers, Maurice Audin, a 25-year-old mathematician and Communist was taken from his home in Algiers in the middle of the night by French soldiers. His wife never heard from him again. More than six decades after his disappearance, Audin’s family is still fighting to know his fate. A programme prepared by Patrick Lovett and Rebecca Martin.

Since the Brussels attacks on March 22, 2016, the Belgian district of Molenbeek has increasingly been referred to as a “hotbed for Islamist terrorism”. But we never hear about the other side of Molenbeek: The artists who move there for their art, the investors who flock there to buy real estate and the tourists who go there to learn about the district’s industrial history. A programme prepared by Hannah Gay.

Today's Focus report looks at the growing use of pornography among teenagers in France and what impact this is having on their relationships. Some 95 percent of the videos they watch are available online, for free and without parental control. As a result, some schools have decided to change the way they deal with sex education. A programme prepared by Hannah Gay.

Der deutsche Fussball-Weltmeister Per Mertesacker hat in einem Interview den gewaltigen Druck im Profifussball offengelegt. Der ehemalige Thun- und GC-Spieler Benjamin Lüthi erzählt im Focus seine Geschichte und weshalb er seine Karriere als Profi-Fussballer bereits mit 28 Jahren beendet hat. Am liebsten sei er auf der Ersatzbank gesessen. Noch lieber auf der Tribüne. Der Arsenal-Profi und Nationalspieler Deutschlands Per Mertesacker hat ein Tabu gebrochen. Er beschrieb in einem Interview, wie manche Fussballer Druck erleben und daran zerbrechen. Benjamin Lüthi hat ähnliches erlebt. Er war Fussballprofi bei GC, verdiente viel Geld, aber Spass hatte er kaum noch. Für ihn ist klar: Sensible Menschen haben es im modernen Fussball enorm schwer. Druck und Fremdbestimmung können krank machen. Lüthi hörte auf, begann ein Studium, jobbt heute als Kellner und bietet Coachings an. Den Profi-Fussball vermisst er in keinem Moment.

Just last year, Theresa May boldly asserted that the UK was “coming together” on the issue of Brexit. But with just 12 months to go to hash out a deal with the EU, Britain seems ever more divided. So much so, that one columnist has even ironically suggested that the kingdom should split into two separate countries in March next year - Remania for those that want to stay with Brussels, and Brexitland for those keen to cut the ties. Our team went to find out what the electorate wants. A programme prepared by Hervé Amoric and Rebecca Martin.