Focus

As the Catalan crisis continues to rattle Spain, we turn our attention to Italy. On Sunday, 16 million Italians in the northern Lombardy and Veneto regions will vote in a non-binding referendum on greater autonomy from Rome. Since the 1990s, the battle for independence in these regions has been a driving force of the Eurosceptic, right-wing Northern League party. But with parliamentary elections fast approaching, the party is openly displaying more national ambitions. Our correspondents report. A programme prepared by Patrick Lovett and Florence Viala.

It's known as the "Chinese Silicon Valley". Zhongguancun, a tech hub north of Beijing, has become a symbol of growth and prosperity for many young entrepreneurs. Its success has been largely attributed to reforms put in place by President Xi Jinping during his first mandate. But while some are benefiting from these reforms, others have been left behind, especially poor and unskilled workers coming from the countryside as well as migrants living in newly created slums. Our correspondents report. Report by Pierre-Philippe Berson, Jason Zhao and Paul James.

A programme prepared by Patrick Lovett and Florence Viala

US agrichemical giant Monsanto is under scrutiny as EU leaders mull whether to ban glyphosate, the main ingredient of its herbicide Roundup. The firm is also under fire in the United States for a group of chemicals it produced decades ago. Activists say they have discovered memos showing that Monsanto ignored risks to human health and the environment long after the toxic effects of so-called PCBs were known. Our correspondents report from Washington state, the first US state to sue for damages. A programme prepared by Patrick Lovett and Florence Viala.

"Sentinelle" is the name of an ongoing military operation on French soil: French soldiers patrol the streets, acting as a first line of defence and a shield for potential terrorist attacks. In recent months, they have neutralised many attackers, but – viewed also as a symbol of France's leading role in the global war on terrorism – they have also become direct targets for killers inspired by Islamist murderous propaganda. Our France 2 colleagues, Dorothée Olliéric and Sylvain Giaume, report. A programme prepared by Patrick Lovett, Florence Viala and François Wibaux.

According to a report by Turkey's main opposition party, thousands of Turks chose to leave their country following last year's coup attempt on July 16. Most say they are worried about the future of their country, including human rights, the economy, and the Islamisation of society. Students, academics, and entrepreneurs are among those deciding to move abroad. They leave for social, economic or political reasons but some people are forbidden from making their dream of leaving Turkey a reality. A programme prepared by Patrick Lovett, François Wibaux and Florence Viala.

He's been dubbed the "Austrian Emmanuel Macron". Sebastian Kurz is only 31 years old, but he's on track to become Austria's new leader when the country heads to the polls this Sunday. The young politician heads up the centre-right People's Party. But unlike France's Macron, Kurz has taken a hard line on immigration, wooing more and more voters by veering sharply to the right. FRANCE 24 reports from Austria. A programme prepared by Patrick Lovett, François Wibaux and Florence Viala.

As Spain marks its national day, the Catalonia secession crisis hangs heavily over the kingdom. Our correspondents in Spain decided to take a closer look at the 54-year-old Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont, who was unknown to many just a few weeks ago. They went to the village where Puigdemont grew up to find out more about his roots and his ideals. >> On France24.com: Carles Puigdemont: The provocateur of Catalonia

A programme prepared by Patrick Lovett, François Wibaux and Florence Viala.

It's been over a year since Dilma Rousseff, Brazil's first female president, was impeached for manipulating the public accounts. Today, her successor Michel Temer finds himself bogged down in a wide-ranging corruption scandal. His survival depends on Congress, which has the power decide to send him to court. So is Brazil bracing itself for yet another impeachment procedure? Our correspondents report. A programme prepared by Patrick Lovett, François Wibaux and Florence Viala.

In Iraq, the fight against the Islamic State group often saw opposing militia and troops come together in their bid to oust a common enemy. With that enemy now all but entirely eliminated, tensions between various factions are on the rise. Iraqi forces are currently present along the contested borders of Kurdistan, a region that voted for independence from Baghdad last month. Our reporters take a look at the different powers now at play in Iraq. A programme prepared by Patrick Lovett and Elom Marcel Toble.

After serving two consecutive terms, Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is making way for a successor. Africa's first ever female president has overseen 12 years of post-war reconstruction and the Ebola crisis. We take a closer look at those vying to replace her. They include a football star, a former model, a leading businessman and the vice president. A programme prepared by Jessica Sestili.