Focus

The world's largest military fair is wrapping up in the United Arab Emirates. The IDEX exhibition attracts mainly African, Arab and Asian officials who are shopping for weapons. For defence companies at the fair, it's a highly lucrative market. Never since the end of the Cold War have countries spent so much on defence, with deals worth a total of 100 billion dollars signed worldwide last year. Our correspondents report from Abu Dhabi. A programme prepared by Patrick Lovett and Florence Viala.

Since mid-January, minority English-speaking regions of Cameroon have had their internet access cut off. These regions have seen anti-government protests in recent months, and many people believe the outage is part of attempts to stifle dissent. An international campaign to restore internet access has been launched on social media, but with little success so far. Those working in digital start-ups have suffered the most from not being able to get online, as our correspondents report. A programme prepared by Patrick Lovett and Florence Viala.

In a bid to crack down on human trafficking in the Mediterranean, the European Union and Libya are working together. As part of the EU's operation Sophia, officers in the Libyan coast guards are being trained by Italy to intercept and rescue migrant boats near the Libyan coast before they reach international waters. Our correspondents followed part of their training sessions, which include lessons on human rights. A programme prepared by Patrick Lovett and Florence Viala.

In the US state of North Dakota, members of the Sioux tribe of Standing Rock have been defying oil companies and authorities for several months. They want them to scrap a plan for a pipeline which they say crosses their sacred land. But now that Donald Trump has signed an executive order in favour of the plan, its proponents are pushing on. The demonstrators have been given until Wednesday to evacuate their protest camp. Our correspondent reports. A programme prepared by Patrick Lovett, Josh Vardey and Florence Viala.

Colombia recently reached a historic peace deal with FARC rebels, but that's not to everyone's liking. In parliament, the peace process has a strong adversary in Alvaro Uribe, the former president and now a senator, who supports an all-out war against the guerrilla. Alleged human rights violations during Uribe's time in office are now attracting growing attention, but witnesses are scarce, and the justice system has not been able to prosecute him. Our correspondents report. A programme prepared by Patrick Lovett and Laura Burloux.

On January 29, six Muslims were shot dead at a mosque in Quebec City, Canada by a far-right extremist. But the shocking attack did not come as a complete surprise to the local Muslim community, which had been sounding the alarm for some time. In the past few months, the same mosque had already been targeted with Islamophobic graffiti. Xenophobic sentiment is increasing in Quebec, including on the airwaves. Our correspondents report. A programme prepared by Patrick Lovett and Laura Burloux

US President Donald Trump complains that NATO members don't pay their way, but Poland is one of only five nations that does meet its commitment to spend at least 2% of GDP on defence each year. The country has embarked on a major restructuring of its armed forces. But it is haemorrhaging top generals: those who don't agree with the reforms, or simply those whom the defence minister doesn't like. The scale of the exodus has drawn comparisons with Stalin's purges. Our team on the ground reports. A programme prepared by Patrick Lovett and Laura Burloux.

As the jobless rate in Germany’s southwestern state of Baden-Wüttemberg falls below 4 percent, the dearth of qualified workers means businesses are struggling to fill vacant positions. To attract new recruits, the region has begun holding job fairs where companies offer training as an incentive for young locals, as well as refugees. An increasing number of businesses are now betting on the recent influx of refugees from countries like Syria to find workers. A programme prepared by Patrick Lovett and Elise Duffau.

Following accusations of Russian meddling in the US presidential elections, many in France are concerned by potential Russian interference in the upcoming presidential vote. As Russian state media expands in France, FRANCE 24 investigates if there is a hidden agenda in the campaign coverage. Launched in 2005, the Russian government-funded television network Russia Today has now expanded to include Arabic, Spanish and English, and has plans to launch a French-language service by the end of 2017 with an initial budget of 15 million euros.

American intelligence services have alleged that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election, raising questions as to what plans the Russians may have for the upcoming French presidential vote. Will they try to use their state-sponsored media to influence the outcome?

FRANCE 24 journalists Jonathan Walsh, Elena Gabrielian and Elena Volochine take a look at Russia Today and the Sputnik news agency, whose editorial slant often leans strongly towards the National Front’s Marine Le Pen.

Syrian refugees are the people worst affected by President Trump’s travel ban. In his January 27 decree, the US leader refused access to refugees and travelers from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Syria. But he also subjected Syrian refugees to an indefinite ban. For hundreds of Syrians living in a camp managed by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in Lebanon, their future is now highly uncertain. Our correspondent went to meet some of them. A programme prepared by Patrick Lovett and Laura Burloux.