Covid-19 has caused over 600,000 deaths in Brazil. But who, or what, is responsible for the situation that many see as a complete mishandling of the health crisis? A parliamentary commission suggests President Bolsonaro should now face charges of crimes against humanity for his responsibility in the management of the pandemic. Our Brazil bureau has more on the story.

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Brazil’s "Covidgate"? Jair Bolsonaro under pressure from repeated scandals

Eswatini, a landlocked country nestled between South Africa and Mozambique, was called "Swaziland" until 2018. The very last absolute monarchy on the African continent has been facing a growing wave of unrest since June 2021. What initially started as peaceful demonstrations was met with repression, violence and death. King Mswati III is being blamed for not listening to his subjects' demand for a modern political system and more democracy. As the protest movement keeps growing, Caroline Dumay and her team bring us this report from the troubled monarchy.

Protesters in Eswatini, Africa's last absolute monarchy, long for democracy

On Monday October 18, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visited Kamloops, in British Columbia, where the remains of hundreds of indigenous First Nations children were found buried at the site of a former residential school in May. Trudeau apologised for not making the trip earlier. In recent months, shocking discoveries of the remains of First Nations children have made headlines and researchers warn they could continue. First Nations communities want justice for one of the darkest chapters in Canada's history. Our correspondents gained rare access to a "pow wow" – a sacred ceremony in honour of the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation.

Canada's First Nations peoples seek truth and justice after remains of children found

In Turkey, young people recently expressed their frustration with the authorities when students protested an ongoing spike in housing prices. This protest movement reflects the growing difficulties of the general population amid sky-high living costs, even as the government refuses to acknowledge the economic crisis. Our Istanbul correspondents Ludovic de Foucaud, Hussein Asad and Shona Bhattacharyya report.

Inflation in Turkey: Soaring prices, housing crisis and student protests

In Colombia, they are called "Escobar's hippos" because they are the toxic legacy of the famous drug trafficker Pablo Escobar. The kingpin illegally imported four hippos in the 1980s for the zoo of his ranch, Hacienda Napoles. After his death in 1993, the hippos were abandoned and reproduced on a massive scale, upsetting the ecological balance of the region. Today, the animals are a headache for the authorities and a danger for the local population. Our correspondents report.

Hippos running wild: Pablo Escobar's cumbersome legacy in Colombia

In South Africa, Katrina Esau is the world's last fluent speaker of Nluu, the language of the San people which has almost died out. For decades, Katrina stopped speaking Nluu and did not even pass it on to her children. But with the help of her granddaughter, the elderly woman has opened a school to enable new generations to learn the ancient language, composed of 112 distinct sounds and 45 clicks. Our France 2 colleagues report, with FRANCE 24's Emerald Maxwell.

A last-ditch effort to save the South African language of Nluu

With greenhouses as far as the eye can see, the southern Spanish region of Andalusia has been nicknamed the "Sea of Plastic". Intensive farming is the norm and it helps feed the European market with fruit and vegetables all year long. It also produces an estimated 33,000 tonnes of plastic waste every year. Until two years ago, this waste was exported to countries such as China, Pakistan and Turkey. But now that these countries are refusing to take rubbish from rich countries, the "Sea of Plastic" is faced with the urgent challenge of recycling its own waste. Our correspondents report.

Spain: Andalusia's farms feed Europe, but are drowning in plastic waste

Today's Focus takes us to Kinshasa, DRC's sprawling capital city, where growing addiction to "bombé," a new artisanal drug, is rattling authorities. The lethargy-inducing mixture is made of crushed pills (often opioids but composition varies) and chemical residue that's been filtered through exhaust pipes.

Kinshasa's 'Bombé' scare: users of toxic artisanal drug met with police batons and tasers

In the Ecuadorian Amazon, victims of oil spills have decided to turn the environmental disaster they have lived with for decades into tourism. Guiding visitors through flares, oil wells and other contaminated places is their way of spreading the word about the ecological scandal that took place in the region.

Ecuador: 'Toxic Tours' reveal damage done by Chevron

Europe's bear population is on the increase and in the French Pyrenees, bears and farmers have been struggling to cohabit. But over in northern Spain's Cantabrian Mountains, NGOs have found solutions to ensure that bears and humans can live side by side in harmony. So what's their secret? Our France 2 colleagues report, with FRANCE 24's Camille Nedelec.

How humans and bears cohabit peacefully in Spain

Sweden has long enjoyed the reputation of being one of the most peaceful countries in Europe. But new research reveals that the Scandinavian nation has the continent's highest rate when it comes to gun homicides. According to the Swedish National Council for the Prevention of Crime, Sweden counts four deaths per million people, while the European average is just 1.6. Between January and September of this year, there have been 234 shootings. The violence is mainly the result of score-settling between gangs. As one former gang member told FRANCE 24, they have no difficulty in getting hold of weapons. Our correspondent reports.

Sweden grapples with sharp increase in gun homicides

Ukraine is marking the 80th anniversary of the Babyn Yar massacre. Babyn Yar was a ravine on the outskirts of Kyiv where the Nazis shot dead nearly 34,000 Jews on September 29 and 30, 1941. Today, an international foundation is investing over $100 million in a series of commemorative monuments and installations. But among the project's key financial backers are Russian oligarchs, some of them close to Vladimir Putin. The project's critics fear Moscow may be trying to re-write history. Our correspondent reports.

In Ukraine, project for memorial at site of Babyn Yar massacre creates controversy

In Madagascar, some of the country's highest authorities are accused of bankrolling teams to create fake profiles on Facebook which then share biased or false information for political gain. These fake Facebook accounts stir up controversy, sing the praises of President Andry Rajoelina and criticise journalists and opposition politicians. The communications minister, accused of playing a key role, denies any wrongdoing. Our correspondents report.

Facebook 'troll farms' play outsized role in Madagascar's politics

Rwanda was the first African country to send troops to support the Mozambican army in fighting jihadists in the northern Cabo Delgado region. Since 2017, Al Shabaab fighters linked to the Islamic State group have killed thousands of civilians and displaced hundreds of thousands more. Our correspondent Simon Wohlfahrt went on patrol with Rwandan troops.

Embedded with Rwandan troops fighting jihadists in Mozambique

Italy is holding municipal elections on October 3 and 4. Voters in 1,000 constituencies are electing their representatives, including in the city of Naples, where an unusual battle is taking place between two members of the Maradona family. The iconic late Argentinian footballer, who played for Napoli from 1984 to 1991, still has a special place in the hearts of Neapolitans. With a brother and son involved in the campaign but on opposite sides, can Diego Maradona be a kingmaker from beyond the grave? Our correspondents report.

'Battle of the Maradonas' shakes up local elections in Italian city of Naples

Our Focus programme brings you exclusive reports from around the world. From Monday to Friday at 7.45 am Paris time.

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