It's the oldest Communist guerrilla group in the world. The New People’s Army (NPA) has waged a violent campaign against the Philippine government since 1969. The conflict has killed an estimated 40,000 people. But today, the rebel group is struggling. Since the failure of a 2019 ceasefire, Manila has hunted down Communist sympathisers, mainly in the movement's rural strongholds.

Serbia is home to a large Russian and Belarusian community, which has increased in number since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. But the small Balkan country was already a popular destination for Russians and Belarusians looking to move abroad. Among this older population of Russian and Belarusian immigrants, those who want to adopt Serbian nationality have been facing administrative difficulties for the past two years, resulting in them becoming stateless. FRANCE 24's Laurent Rouy, Aleksandar Cvrkotic, Edward Godsell and Paul Murray report.

Every year in Japan, thousands of fathers fall victim to parental child abduction. It very often follows the same pattern: the Japanese mother leaves suddenly with the child and then forbids the father from seeing them again. These are abductions that fathers – Japanese and foreign alike – are powerless to fight, since Japan is one of the only countries in the world that does not recognise joint custody post-marriage. After a divorce, custody is granted to only one parent. But now, the law is about to change. FRANCE 24's correspondents Alexis Bregere, Mélodie Sforza and Adam Hancock report.

Myanmar is the world's leading producer of jade. Up to 90 percent of global supply of the precious stone is mined in the country's northern Kachin state, despite a decades-long armed rebellion raging there. According to the NGO Global Witness, some 90 percent of this jade is then smuggled out of the country – almost all of it to neighbouring China. Once favoured by emperors to defy death, jade and its knock-offs continue to be worn as a status symbol. Our correspondents Yena Lee, Yorben den Hartog and Jasmine Ling report. 

As global demand for sustainable solutions rises, India is emerging as a significant player in the booming seaweed industry. With over 7,500 kilometres of coastline and more than 800 native seaweed species, the country is turning to this climate-friendly marine crop not just as a source of organic fertiliser, but as a powerful tool in the fight against climate change. Through its ambitious "seaweed mission" and planned investment of $86.8 million, India aims to increase seaweed production to 11 million tonnes by 2025, unlocking new opportunities in agriculture, food and cosmetics. FRANCE 24's Khansa Juned and Lisa Gamonet report.

The Taliban have severely restricted the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan since returning to power in August 2021. Nearly 2.2 million girls are deprived of education, with girls banned from school after the age of 12 years, while women are not allowed to work in most sectors of society. In response, more and more Afghan women in the capital Kabul are using art as an act of hope and resistance. FRANCE 24's team reports, with Shahzaib Wahlah.

For years now, Dutch authorities have been regularly dismantling illegal drug labs producing amphetamines, ecstasy and cocaine – often hidden away in remote, rural areas. But one of the lesser-known consequences of this illegal industry is the severe environmental pollution it leaves behind. Barrels filled with hazardous substances are frequently dumped in forests, fields and even protected nature reserves. Last year alone, 217 illegal dumping sites were discovered across the country. FRANCE 24's Ingrid Gercama and Alix Le Bourdon report.

Spain's countryside is the most depopulated in Europe. Some villages have just one resident left in them. But locals are fighting back, determined to attract new inhabitants. FRANCE 24's Maude Petit-Jové and Maxime Bergeron report from Spanish two villages that are managing to turn the tide of urbanisation.

Last year, Egypt set a new record for fruit and vegetable exports: nearly 7 million tonnes, valued at €6 billion, with 20 percent destined for Europe. According to the World Bank, agriculture is the sector that employs the highest proportion of women in the country: around 45 percent nationwide, and as high as 94 percent in Upper Egypt. But in the fields, the working conditions of the 5 million female farm workers are dire: no contracts, half the wages of men and scorching temperatures. Grassroots organisations are now stepping in, campaigning to formalise women's labour, demand fair pay, ensure workplace safety and fight for recognition. FRANCE 24's Mathilde Delvigne and Nuria Tesón report.

The fall of Bashar al-Assad last December did not erase the deep-rooted prejudices within Syrian society. Identity and political divisions remain vivid, and since January, sectarian clashes have been increasing. In a country as fragmented as Syria, old grudges are simmering, with many taking justice into their own hands – driven by a thirst for revenge against those they view as traitors or internal enemies. Amid this escalating violence, the authorities insist they are committed to holding those responsible accountable. Meanwhile, civil society is doing what it can to keep hope alive by calling for dialogue and pushing for national unity. Our correspondent in Syria, Jenna Le Bras, reports.