Focus

By FRANCE 24 English

Our Focus programme brings you exclusive reports from around the world. Every day at 8:45am Paris time.

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How many episodes does Focus have?

The podcast currently has 1,542 episodes available.

Focus episodes:

October 12, 2023 Pakistan's pagan Kalash tribe targeted by Taliban
North-western Pakistan, near the border with Afghanistan, is home to a secluded tribe: the Kalash people. The pagan tribe are Pakistan's last polytheistic community, who have avoided mass Islamisation. But lately they have become the target of attacks from the Pakistani Taliban, who are now based in Afghanistan. Our correspondents report.
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6min
October 11, 2023 Grappling with the cost of war: The path to resilience for Ukrainian widows
According to US estimates, at least 70,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed since the start of the Russian invasion in February 2022. Behind the statistics are families grappling with the loss of fathers and husbands. For the widows left behind, resilience is not just an option but a necessity as they take on the responsibility of raising their children alone, often in difficult financial circumstances. Our France 2 colleagues went to meet several Ukrainian widows and their families.
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5min
October 09, 2023 Major Laos dam project sparks fears for environment and local heritage
The construction of a major new dam on the Mekong River in Laos is causing widespread concern. The small country of 7.5 million inhabitants aspires to become the leading low-carbon energy producer in southeast Asia. Since the 2000s, some 80 hydroelectric power plants have been built along the Mekong and its tributaries. However, this new project threatens the former royal capital of Luang Prabang, currently listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Our regional correspondents report.
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6min
October 06, 2023 'Cattle laundering' in Brazil: How illegal meat ends up in Europe
In this edition we explore the issue of "cattle laundering" in Brazil. This practice involves transferring cattle from a farm whose meat cannot be exported, due to illegal deforestation on its land, to another "clean" farm that is not affected by these bans. This falsely labelled meat can then in some cases be distributed to French supermarkets present in Brazil such as Carrefour and eventually reach the plates of consumers in Europe. Our correspondents report.
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7min
October 05, 2023 South Korean teachers demand protection against harassment from parents
To mark World Teachers' Day, we take a closer look at the school system in South Korea. Although the country's schools have an excellent reputation, thousands of teachers have been protesting in Seoul for the past three months. They are demonstrating against harassment from parents – relentless pressure that has driven some South Korean teachers to suicide. This worrying situation has led to calls for a change in the law to better protect education professionals. Our Seoul correspondents report.
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6min
October 04, 2023 Who's in the driver's seat? Safety concerns over San Francisco's driverless taxis
If you order a taxi in San Francisco, California, you may be in for a surprise. Some 600 driverless taxis are now in operation in the US city. But even in a place famous for being at the forefront of technology, these taxis are hitting some bumps in the road. Our France 2 colleagues report, with FRANCE 24's Charli James.
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4min
October 03, 2023 Ukraine: Orchestra from Russian-held city of Mariupol gets new home in Kyiv
In Ukraine, more than half of Mariupol's inhabitants have fled the southern city, preferring not to live under Russian occupation. Among them are conductor Vasyl Kryachok and some of his musicians, who decided to rebuild the orchestra he himself founded some 35 years ago. The "Renaissance" chamber orchestra of Mariupol has now found refuge in the capital Kyiv. Kryachok showcases the Ukrainian repertoire, in particular scores that are rarely performed or have been overshadowed by pieces from Russian composers, whom he boycotts. FRANCE 24's Tarek Kai reports.
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7min
October 02, 2023 China cracks down on screen time, imposing digital detoxes for children
Some 200 million under-18s use the internet in China, and at least 24 million of them are considered addicts. In the coming months, Beijing will block their internet access from 10pm to 6am. The amount of time they can spend online each day will also be limited, according to their age. With China already cut off from the World Wide Web due to the "Great Firewall", authorities are increasingly cracking down on screen time for children and sometimes resorting to brutal methods. Our correspondents report from Shanghai.
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5min
September 29, 2023 Will Slovakia move towards Russia after snap elections?
Is Ukraine about to lose one of its staunchest allies in Europe? Slovakia leapt to Kyiv's aid after the Russian invasion of February 2022 by supplying weapons and fighter jets and welcoming refugees. But that could all change in Saturday's snap parliamentary elections. Leading in the polls is pro-Russian former prime minister Robert Fico's SMER party. His vow to stop arming Ukraine resonates among large sections of a population that's targeted by Russian propagandists. FRANCE 24's Magdalena Chodovnik reports.
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5min
September 28, 2023 Meet the women finding ways to resist US abortion bans
To mark International Safe Abortion Day, we're taking stock of women's abortion rights in the United States. Terminations are now illegal in 14 states following the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade last year. Some women in those states are now forced to travel elsewhere in the US for the procedure, costing them hundreds, if not thousands of dollars. FRANCE 24's Fanny Chauvin and her team went to meet the women who are supporting each other and still hoping to overturn the bans at state level.
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6min

FAQs about Focus:

How many episodes does Focus have?

The podcast currently has 1,542 episodes available.