Last year in Spain, some 50,000 children were in state care – a high number that is largely a consequence of failures in the care system. In Spain, children can be taken into care as a precautionary measure, a step that is five times more frequent than in neighbouring France. The decision in Spain to remove children from their parents is made not by a judge but by social workers. However, it often becomes irreversible, meaning that those parents face a long battle to get their children back. Our correspondents investigate.

REPORTERS

Battling for their children: Investigating failures in Spain's care system

In the autumn of 2019, an unprecedented protest movement engulfed the Iraqi capital Baghdad and the predominantly Shiite south of the country. Demonstrators were angry at the widespread corruption and incompetence of the political class, but also the influence of neighbouring Iran and its militias. An extremely violent crackdown left at least 600 dead and 21,000 injured in just a few months. Meanwhile, the leaders of the protest movement became the target of assassinations. As Iraq prepares to hold parliamentary elections, more and more voices are accusing pro-Iranian armed groups of being behind a campaign of systematic violence. FRANCE 24's Jonathan Walsh and Amar Al Hameedawi report.

Iraq: A revolution murdered

In Sudan’s West Kordofan state, which contains one of the country's largest oil reserves, oil production has led to a serious health crisis. Due to a lack of environmental standards, local villagers have absorbed oil residue, especially from the water. A surge in diseases has been observed, as well as miscarriages and birth defects. Locals have long been unaware of the dangers of oil production in Sudan, which is often carried out by Chinese companies. FRANCE 24's Mohamed Farhat reports on the dark side of Sudan's oil industry.

The victims of Sudan's thirst for oil

During her first term as German chancellor, Angela Merkel had to deal with the economic and financial crisis of 2008, which helped forge her image as a defender of Germany's interests and her fellow citizens' savings. But there would be more challenges to come: the migrant crisis in 2015, and the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. How will German history remember this scientist by training, who grew up in what was then East Germany, who defied the odds to become Germany's first woman chancellor? As Merkel prepares to bow out after 16 years in power, our Berlin correspondents report on her legacy.

A tireless crisis manager: The legacy of Angela Merkel

Ten months after the defeat of Armenian forces against Azerbaijan in the war for control of the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh, Armenia is seeing its border regions come under threat from Baku. According to Yerevan, hundreds of Azerbaijani soldiers have entered Armenian territory since mid-May 2021, particularly in the Syunik and Gegharkunik border provinces. The situation is sparking concern and even panic in Armenia, particularly in villages close to the frontier, where incidents are frequent. Our team on the ground reports.

The Azerbaijani threat to Armenia's borders

The attacks of September 11, 2001 marked a turning point in history, one that continues to shape world affairs. Twenty years later, FRANCE 24 travelled to Afghanistan, Iraq, France, Sweden and Belgium to meet some of the key players, who try to explain how the attacks happened and why they had such a profound global impact on the past two decades.

September 11th, 20 years of chaos

From his Paris window, he saw the horror of the November 13, 2015 attacks and filmed the terror. Daniel Psenny, who was working as a journalist for French daily Le Monde, witnessed the attack on the Bataclan concert hall, in which 90 people were slaughtered by terrorists. With his mobile phone, Psenny, who lives just a few metres from the venue, filmed the only existing video of the Bataclan attack. FRANCE 24 brings you it as part of this special full-length animated documentary, ahead of next week's trial into the atrocities.

'10.01pm': Victim of November 2015 Paris attacks recounts horror

Three months after the eruption of Mount Nyiragongo, life has resumed in Goma. But experts say locals aren’t out of the woods just yet and the threat to the city remains. Researchers, authorities and international partners are teaming up to try to prevent the eastern DR Congo city from disappearing under the lava. Our correspondents Clément Bonnerot and Juliette Dubois report.

In Goma, burning questions remain after volcanic eruption

After a decade-long absence, former Ivorian president Laurent Gbagbo returned to Ivory Coast on June 17, 2021. FRANCE 24's team was on board the flight carrying the former president. In this exclusive documentary, Gbagbo reflects on his political career and his acquittal by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity. Charles Emptaz and Olivier Jobard report.

Behind the scenes of Laurent Gbagbo's return to Ivory Coast

In the spring of 2021, FRANCE 24 went on board the Ocean Viking, the migrant rescue ship of the European NGO SOS Méditerranée. Off the coast of Libya, we filmed both successful rescue missions and others that ended in tragedy, while observing how the authorities interacted with the vessel's staff.

When Europe turns a blind eye: Life and death in the Mediterranean

In 1994, Rwanda plunged into a murderous frenzy. In just three months, more than 800,000 Rwandans, mostly from the Tutsi minority, were massacred by members of the Hutu majority. Some Hutus risked their lives to help Tutsis and most were executed because of it. But others lived to tell the tale. Who are these heroes? Why did they make this choice? How did they do it? In this documentary, we meet the men and women who showed humanity during the darkest hours of the genocide.

Rwanda's Righteous: The heroes who risked their lives to help others during genocide

Out at sea, far from prying eyes, work on the unfinished Nord Stream 2 pipeline is in full swing, despite criticism from the international community and US sanctions. Russia and Germany want to complete the gas pipeline linking the two countries as soon as possible, but others are doing all they can to stop it happening. Environmental NGOs, Europe, Ukraine and the US are all set on preventing a project which is as much geopolitical as it is economic. Our correspondents in Russia, Germany and Ukraine report.

Nord Stream 2: A pipeline too far?

Whether they're disappointed in politics or reject the political class, millions of French people, especially the young, no longer want to vote. Political parties no longer arouse interest, while the traditional media are accused of participating in a failing democratic system. France's pre-pandemic Yellow Vest protests highlighted an unprecedented level of French mistrust in institutions and policies. With the abstention rate reaching record highs in recent regional elections, FRANCE 24's team went to meet members of the no-vote generation.

The no-vote generation: Reinventing politics in France

France is easing out of lockdown, but for sufferers of long Covid battling the symptoms provoked by the virus is still an ongoing fight. Our reporters met an elite athlete, an entire family and a seven-year-old girl who are all suffering from the long-term after-effects of contracting Covid-19. Yet despite an urgent need for a better understanding of this new and complex condition, scientists in France are struggling to get public funding for research into long Covid.

Fighting long Covid: Sufferers in France search for answers

President Joe Biden has pledged to withdraw US troops from Afghanistan by September 11. As a result, other Western nations are also downsizing and repatriating their forces. The stage is set for a return of the Taliban, 20 years after being ousted by a US-led military coalition in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. In this report for Arte and FRANCE 24, correspondents Margaux Benn and Solène Chalvon Fioriti offer an in-depth look at Taliban rule, with its schools and Court of Justice -- and a chilling foretaste of daily life under Islamic fundamentalists.

Afghanistan: Life in Taliban Country

An in-depth report by our senior reporters and team of correspondents from around the world. Every Saturday at 9.10 pm Paris time. Or you can catch it online from Friday.