Focus

India is the world's fastest-growing major economy. With an annual growth rate of 7%, an emerging middle class and a thriving startup scene, the country is on track to become a global superpower. But India lives by its own rules when it comes to doing business - rules which are often complex and chaotic. Our correspondents take a closer look at the situation for two businessmen in the capital. One is the creator of a dating app, while the other owns a French bakery. A programme prepared by Patrick Lovett and Florence Viala.

To mark World Water Day we head to Pakistan. According to the UN, the country's water crisis is becoming the most pressing issue of our times. Pakistan is the fourth-largest water consumer in the world, but chronic mismanagement plus a lack of water reservoirs and wastage mean that nearly one in three Pakistanis do not have access to safe drinking water. With the Pakistani population growing exponentially, the country may soon run out of water entirely. Our correspondents report. A programme prepared by Patrick Lovett, Emerald Maxwell and Florence Viala.

Today's Focus marks the World Down Syndrome Day, an annual global event that helps raise awareness about the syndrome and what it means to lead a life with it. In France alone, more than 50,000 people have been diagnosed with Down syndrome. But despite all the goodwill and the activism carried out, the syndrome is barely mentioned in this spring's presidential campaign. Our reporters met Julia and Vincent, who are fighting to raise awareness about it. A programme prepared by Jessica Sestili and Laura Burloux.

It's been one month since the Iraqi government launched its operation to retake western Mosul from the Islamic State group. The government says more than 180,000 people have fled the fighting in the western half of the city. For those who remain, food and supplies are scarce - and they face the constant threat of being used by the jihadists as human shields. But the Iraqi forces also stand accused of causing civilian casualties. FRANCE 24's team on the ground reports. A programme prepared by Florence Viala and Jessica Sestili.

In Scotland, a second independence referendum could well be on the cards, and it is all due to Brexit: Scotland voted by 62% to remain in the EU in 2016. This week, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed she will seek a second referendum - but a new poll needs the green light from the British Prime Minister Theresa May. Back in 2014, 55% of Scots voted to stay in the UK. So have opinions changed? FRANCE 24's team went to Scotland to find out.

The EU’s top court ruled that companies can ban staff from wearing visible religious symbols earlier this week, including headscarves. In this report, FRANCE 24 takes a look at how businesses in France handle the highly sensitive issue of religion in the workplace. Depending on the company, the approach varies from strict secularism to religious openness.

US President Donald Trump wants to expel illegal immigrants and is threatening to withhold federal funding from "sanctuary cities”, cities that provide refuge to undocumented migrants. Millions of people are threatened with deportation. This puts the White House on a collision course with the state of California, where there is a large Hispanic community - and which is now seeking to become the country’s first "sanctuary state". Our correspondents report. A programme prepared by Patrick Lovett, Charlotte Prudhomme and Florence Viala.

The British parliament has just cleared the way for the government to trigger Article 50, the prelude to up to two years of negotiations on leaving the European Union. But the British people are still deeply divided over Brexit. Our reporters have been over there to take the temperature in London, where they found mixed feelings among both Britons and EU nationals. Yet while some in the capital are worried about the future, others are hopeful. A programme prepared by Patrick Lovett and Florence Viala.

On August 24, 2016, a 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck central Italy in the middle of the night, killing 300 people and leaving thousands homeless. While some of them moved away, others chose to stay in the region, which has been hit by several quakes in the last few months. Reconstruction is a huge challenge, and many mayors are frustrated at the slow pace of rebuilding. Our correspondents Natalia Mendoza and Josephine McKenna report. A programme prepared by Patrick Lovett, Charlotte Prudhomme and Florence Viala.

The war in eastern Ukraine is rumbling on. Russian-backed separatists still control much of the eastern industrial region known as the Donbas. But despite the shelling, trade in coal and other goods was continuing across the frontline – until a group of Ukrainian activists opposed to President Poroshenko decided to put an end to it by organising a blockade. The move threatens the region with economic collapse and is proving highly controversial. Our correspondent Gulliver Cragg reports. A programme prepared by Patrick Lovett and Laura Burloux.