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The Houthis rule a third of Yemen with an iron fist, after ten years of civil war. Their ideology is as ferociously anti-American and antisemitic, as it is pro-Palestine with young people indoctrinated into a strict religious view of the world that burns with anger.

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The Houthis rule a third of Yemen with an iron fist, after ten years of civil war.

Yemen: Houthi Fury

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After the deadly and destructive megafires of October 2017, Portugal has developed a system of preventive firefighting which could inspire other European countries to follow suit.

Re: Fighting Megafires in Portugal

Werner Pfeiffer is an experimental archaeologist and museum educator. Together with his colleague Pedro Cura and a team of archaeologists, he is returning to the Stone Age for four weeks. Living as hunter-gatherers for a month aims to gain insight into what life was really like thousands of years ago.

A team of archaeologists live as hunter-gatherers for a month to understand what life was really like thousands of years ago.

Re: Back to the Stone Age

On 4 April 1949, the North Atlantic Treaty was signed, enshrining the creation of NATO just four years after the end of the Second World War. The primary objective of this military alliance of twelve European and North American countries was to prevent war in Europe and to counter the expansion of the Soviet bloc. Since its creation in the Cold War, the organisation has grown from 12 to 31 member states - including several former Eastern Bloc nations. Weakened by its turbulent history, NATO is facing a growing number of challenges: the difficulty of coordinating its members, the logistical obstacles in the event of an attack on European soil, and the threat, raised by Donald Trump, of an American withdrawal, at a time when European defence is almost entirely dependent on the United States.

A look back at the turbulent history of the military alliance facing unprecedented challenges in the face of Putin's Russia.

Putin, NATO, and Europe

One third of the Latvian population is Russian, a hangover from the Soviet past. The Latvian and Russian speaking communities have been living side by side since independence in 1991 but this cohabitation is not always easy. The government has taken a tougher stance on the integration of Russian speakers since the war in Ukraine, with some now risking deportation.

The Latvian authorities are taking a tougher stance with the country’s Russian-speaking minority since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Re: Latvia’s Unwanted Russians

12 June is a very important date for the small Scottish island of Eigg. On this day in 1997, the islanders purchased their home from their landlord and took control of their destiny. More than 25 years later, how have the local people managed the community owned Eigg?

A Green Utopia for All?

26 years ago, 65 inhabitants of a Scottish island bought their home from their landlord.

Re: The Isle of Eigg

Igor Smilev's life has been marked by pain and a sense of powerlessness. The 48-year-old lost his parents and sister to cancer and he is convinced that the cause of their illness lies in the air. For decades, North Macedonia has had the worst levels of air pollution in Europe.

For decades, Northern Macedonia has had the worst air pollution levels in Europe.

Pollution in North Macedonia

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During the first televised debate of the 2024 US presidential elections, Donald Trump and Kamala Harris laid our their clearly different visions for foreign policy. Whereas Harris called for multilateralism with America’s allies, Trump set out his transactional ‘America First’ approach.

Trump-Harris: Opposing World Views

During the first debate of the presidential elections, Trump and Harris laid our their clearly different visions for foreign policy

Mapping the World Essentials

Russia boasts a handful of "Western experts" who agree with the Kremlin world view. These German, Belgian and French experts are regular guests on Russian propaganda TV channels. Fake News finds out who these people are and what their views actually are.

The Kremlin's Western 'Experts'

Russia boasts a handful of "Western experts" from Europe who regularly appear on Russian TV channels. 

Fake News

A special edition of ARTE's geopolitics programme focusing on the Strait of Gibraltar, a key point of contact between the two shores of the Mediterranean.

Mapping the World

Close-up on the Strait of Gibraltar, a key point of contact between the two shores of the Mediterranean.

Strait of Gibraltar: Between Europe and Africa

Viktor Orban faces stiff competition in the European elections: Péter Magyar, head of a party that is rising in the polls and wants to break out of the conflictual relationship with the European Union.

Viktor Orbán's Hungary & the EU

From his gilded youth in Europe to the bloody repression of the Arab Spring, this is the engrossing story of Muammar Gaddafi's second son who, despite arrest warrants for crimes against humanity, is running for election in Libya.

Saif Al Islam Gaddafi's Comeback

Muammar Gaddafi's second son ran for election in Libya, despite arrest warrants for crimes against humanity.

Son of a Dictator

The right to freedom of information is enshrined in the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights. But press freedoms are far from being universally respected. Mapping the World looks at the issue across the globe.

Press Freedom: An Antidote to Tyranny

Press freedoms are far from being universally respected worldwide. Mapping the World looks at the issue across the globe.

Insights

The Olympic Games puts the host country in the spotlight and Paris 2024 is no different. This major event is a security and logistical challenge as well as a golden opportunity for nations to project soft power across the world.

The Olympic Games puts the host city and nation in the spotlight and Paris 2024 is no different.

Geopolitics of the Olympic Games

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What effects does pride have on a sense of community? In Poland, Jagoda Marinić observes pride in many forms: Women are proud to fight abortion laws. National pride is expressed in the desire to uphold the memory of fallen soldiers. And LGBTQIA+ communities see pride in the fight for their rights.

Europe with Jagoda Marinic

Jagoda Marinić visits Poland to see how feelings of pride affects Polish society in contrasting ways.

Nice to Meet You: Poland

Ex-footballer turned anti-poverty activist Neven Subotić had the world at his feet. But it wasn't enough. He knew something was missing and turned to books to help him find meaning in his life. What he read changed his outlook, his way of thinking, and his future. 

In the Words of Ex-Footballer Neven Subotic

Ex-footballer turned anti-poverty activist Neven Subotić discusses the books that changed his life.

The Book That Changed My Life

In this episode, Ronja explores what can give us hope for the future even when things seem bleak. At Leopoldplatz, she meets one of the most hopeful people in Berlin: DJ Bombay sells curries from his food truck and is always in a good mood. "I've been through so many crises in my life that nothing can knock me out," he says. Then there's  boxer Mazen, who loses every fight and still goes on. Nun Sister Mechthildis meanwhile is full of hope and happiness, living away from the hustle and bustle of life in her convent.

Don't Lose Hope!

In this episode, Ronja explores what can give us hope for the future even when things seem bleak.

Streetphilosophy

Jan explores all the different ways of being alone. He searches for gold in a field with Wolfgang Herkt and his metal detector. After long hours of solo searching, Wolfgang says: "Being alone helps with difficult decisions because there are no distractions." The author Kathrin Weßling is the opposite: she communicates 24/7, writes books and constantly posts to social media. But loneliness lingers... not least of all for refugees. Evgeniy Zamyatin, who works as a lawyer for Alexei Navalny's anti-corruption foundation, fled to Berlin, far from friends and family.

Face Loneliness!

Jan explores all the different ways of being alone.

The pandemic, the climate emergency ... Everything seems extremely fragile at the moment. But is it possible to grow with crises? If so, what is the key? How can adaptability and courage make you more resilient?

The solution to having your plans upset? Don't make plans

Be Antifragile!

The American director Peter Sellars was invited to the Salzburg Festival. For the 2017 edition he staged The Clemency of Titus by Mozart.

Carte Blanche to Peter Sellars

Square Artiste: Peter Sellars

Director, screenwriter and comedian, Marilyne Canto wanted show how peace between Israelis and Palestinians is possible, despite the pessimism that rules global news headlines. More than 20 years after the assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin (1995), she chose to film Ofer Bronchtein, one of his former colleagues.

Carte Blanche to Maryline Canto

Switching viewpoints

Kids

In Leicester, England, the Unglamorous Music Project aims to get older women, in their sixties and seventies, into playing music. They have 66 days to learn an instrument, write a song and perform in public.

ARTE Info Plus

In Leicester, England, the Unglamorous Music Project aims to get older women, in their sixties and seventies, into playing music.

Granny Punk in Leicester

Mariusz would never have become the artist he is now if Poland had not joined the European Union. He now creates striking murals in cities all over the world.

Europe of Artists

Mariusz Waras, Street Artist

In a career spanning more than half a century, Alain Delon made over 80 films, thrilling audiences and critics alike with his performances. .As the world-famous French actor passed away on 18 August at the age of 88, we say goodbye to a legend of cinema.

As the world-famous French actor passed away on 18 August at the age of 88, we say goodbye to a legend of cinema.

Alain Delon: Legend of French Cinema

JRR Tolkien’s literary works have fascinated the Italian far-right. His intricate and imaginary world where elves, hobbits and orcs live together without ever mixing coincides with the values they defend. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni made several references to Tolkien during her campaign and most recently, opened a new exhibition about the author at Rome’s National Gallery.

Italy’s far-right government has a growing interesting in shaping the country’s cultural institutions.

The far-right and Italy’s cultural scene

The portrait photographer Stéphane Lavoué describes 11 photo shoots with personalities from the fields of politics, art and sport. He’s not here to talk about the medium of photography. Instead, he describes every minute – and sometimes every second - of portrait creation.

The portrait photographer Stéphane Lavoué describes 11 photo shoots with personalities from the fields of politics, art and sport.

A Photographic Pause: Florent Manaudou

Publishing house Marotta&Cafiero left the upmarket streets of Naples to set up shop in a crime-riddled neighbourhood. That was back in 2010, when the mafia reigned supreme and drug trafficking was rife. In 2017, the publishing house decided to open a book shop in the neighbourhood, which has flourished ever since.

Known locally as “book dealers”, this Naples publishing house has flourished in a neighbourhood riddled with crime.

Books over bullets in Naples

Europe as a source of inspiration: Meeting artists from across the continent whose works spring from Europe’s cultural diversity.

Through the eyes of artists

Across Europe, the far right is embedding itself into the political landscape and daily life. But behind an increasingly smooth and respectable façade lies an ideology that remains fundamentally racist and violent. An in-depth focus into an ecosystem of extreme ideology in France, Germany, and Belgium.

Inside Europe's Far-Right Movement

Across Europe, the far right is embedding itself into politics and daily life, but remains fundamentally violent and racist. 

White Power

Chinese men are suffering. There are simply not enough women to go around since China implemented its one-child policy in 1979.  This means that 1 in 5 Chinese men will not be able to find a partner in five years’ time.

Chinese men are suffering. There are simply not enough women to go around since China implemented its one-child policy in 1979. 

China: Men without Women

Diwa is only 11 years old. She is one of the thousands of victims of a crime that is hardly reported on in Europe but which is causing havoc in the Philippines. She was raped by her parents, live on the internet, to satisfy the desires of foreign paedophiles who paid for the spectacle of her rape, giving instructions from a distance.

Philippines: Child Rape Online

Thousands of children in the Philippines have been abused, live on the internet. Report on a shocking crime.

Saudi Arabian citizens are languishing in prison, and some have even been sentenced to death. Their crime: they resisted expropriation of their homes for the Neom project, the city of the future built on a 170km line in the desert that is Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman’s pet project.

Saudi Arabia: Victims of Neom

Opposing the Neom project in Saudi Arabia can get you put in prison or killed.

Data Sources

The former President of the United States is on a roll with some polls showing him favourite to win the election scheduled for November 2024. But what does he want to do if elected? A potential Trump second term is likely to be more radical than his first.

But does Donald Trump want to do if re-elected president? A potential second-term could be more radical than his first.

USA: Trump's Radical Election Programme

Ever more people are travelling abroad for medical procedures. Hungary is a major destination for dental health tourism from Germany as the price for implants and crowns are significantly cheaper whereas wealthy individuals from Russia and the Arab world come to Germany for the health sector’s reputation for quality care.

Going Abroad for Treatment

Ever more people are travelling abroad for medical procedures with Hungary a major destination for dental health tourism.

Re: Health Tourism

The number of migrants crossing the border from Mexico into the USA has increased over the last few years. The USA’s southern frontier and how to welcome (or not) migrants into the states is a major issue at this year’s presidential elections. ARTE visited both sides of the border to find out more about this burning issue.

USA: Trump's Wall

In spite of Trump’s wall, thousands of migrants are continuing to cross the border from Mexico into the United States.

For the first time in 2020, around 100,000 Italians left big cities in the north of the country for modest towns in the south, in search of a new life. In Calabria, where the mafia and unemployment reign supreme, we follow Angelo, Rocco, Francesco and Nunzia – who have all decided to reinvent themselves by moving back to their hometowns.

Starting a new life in southern Italy

For the first time in 2020, around 100,000 Italians left wealthy cities in the north for poorer towns in the south of the country.

Re: Return to Calabria

Forty years ago, in June 1982, Israel invaded southern Lebanon, dubbed Operation Peace for Galilee by the Israelis. A small guerrilla group came together in secret to resist this offensive. Formed and supported by the Islamic Republic of Iran, it officially declared itself in 1985 as Hezbollah: The Party of God.
Four decades later, this small group has grown to become one of the most important military and political forces in the Middle East. A party of resistance for some, a terrorist group for others, Hezbollah is admired as much as it is feared. But the organisation, practically a state within a state, is living through turbulent times as Lebanon is experiencing a major political and economic crisis.

As  Lebanon experiences an existential crisis, a focus on the history of militant group Hezbollah, a controversial organisation supported by Iran.

Lebanon: Inside Hezbollah

Giorgi has no thoughts of leaving Tusheti, he loves his home in the Georgian Caucasus. The villages in the high mountains can only be reached by car for five months of the year. And there are hardly any jobs or young people left. Horse guide Girogi wants to bring new life to the area with adventure tourism.

Horse guide Girogi wants to bring new life to his mountainous region with adventure tourism.

Re: The Horse Guide of Georgia

The Ponant college is the smallest school in France, spread across several remote islands in Britanny. Teachers brave the sometimes rough waters to offer an education to a handful of children in these small isolated communities.

The Ponant college is the smallest school in France, spread across several remote islands in Britanny.

Re: An Island School in Britanny

With one of the highest GDP per capita in the world, Luxembourg is a rich country. Yet there are social problems in the Grand Duchy. Alexandra Oxacelay helps the homeless and the poor: Her NGO’s soup kitchens are welcoming more and more people: victims of rising inflation, the housing crisis, as well as immigrants.

Luxembourg’s Poverty Problem

With one of the highest GDP per capita in the world, Luxembourg is a rich country. Yet there is a poverty problem in the Grand Duchy.

Re: Poor in a Rich Country

Irish Travelers live on the fringes of society and their living conditions are on a downward spiral. A recent EU study revealed shocking figures: 11% of Irish travellers die by suicide and most die before the age of 65. No other minority in Europe faces such dire statistics.

A Minority in Danger

11% of Irish travellers die by suicide and most die before the age of 65.

Re: Irish Travellers

Goldrush fever has reached Finland’s far north as more prospectors dig for the precious metal north of the arctic circle. But the Sami, Europe’s only indigenous people, are concerned that digging for gold will upset their ancient way of life.

The Sami under Pressure

Goldrush fever has reached Finland’s far north as more prospectors dig for the precious metal north of the arctic circle.

Re: Goldrush in Finland

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The vast capital of Indonesia, home to 31 million people is sinking as sea levels rise. If no action is taken, the megalopolis will be underwater by 2050.

Indonesia: Jakarta is Sinking

The vast capital of Indonesia, home to 31 million people is sinkingand could be entirely underwater by 2050.

More than 80% of Gabon is covered with rainforest, home to the largest population of forest elephants in Africa. A victim of poaching, the elephant population is under threat, but a team of scientists is working to protect them.

Gabon: Saving Forest Elephants

More than 80% of Gabon is covered with rainforest, home to the largest population of forest elephants in Africa.

On the small isolated Greek island of Arki, close to the Turkish coast live only 40 inhabitants and just one primary school kid, Christos aged 12. He has the chance to continue his education on a neighbouring island, but will he make this choice?

Greece: The Island with Only One School Kid

On the small isolated Greek island of Arki, close to the Turkish coast live only 40 inhabitants and just one primary school kid, Christos aged 12. 

In a world where climate change is accelerating, wind and solar power seem more important than ever. Mapping the World investigates how these renewable energy sources, which have been used for thousands of years, are being reinvented in the 21st century.

Wind and Solar: An Energy Revolution?

How these renewable energy sources, which have been used for thousands of years, are being reinvented in the 21st century.

In the 1960s, a Soviet engineer goes on a mission to work on the Aswan dam in Egypt. Based on amateur film and archive material from the period, this poetic film shows the consequences of human progress.

Dreams of human progress through technology as a Soviet engineer goes to work on the Aswan dam on the Nile.

Hydroelectric Joy

The tropical rainforests can still be protected and saved from destruction. The new forest communities in Guatemala show us how: with their sustainable forestry, they are conserving the Maya Biosphere Reserve, over two million hectares of primeval forest.

Guatemala: Guardians of the Maya Forest

Sustainable forestry is preserving the huge expanses of the Maya Biosphere Reserve in Guatemala.

Despite the warrant issued by the International Criminal Court, Vladimir Putin was not arrested when he landed in Mongolia. This visit is a reminder of the historic link between Moscow and Ulan Bator, but also highlights Vladimir Putin's isolation in world politics.

Putin in Mongolia

Putin’s visit this week to Ulan Bator is a reminder of the close links between Russia and Mongolia.

Romania, home to Europe's largest bear population outside Russia, is struggling with increasing bear attacks. A recent deadly attack on a teenage hiker has ignited political debate, pushing lawmakers to approve the culling of 500 bears to manage the overpopulation of this protected species.

After many vicious attacks and hot political debates, Romania is grappling with its massive bear population. 

Romania Gets Tough on Its Brown Bear Problem

In Poland, the First Communion has turned into an ever more elaborate and expensive event. Despite inflation, some celebrations are almost as extravagant as a wedding. In the city of Łódź, Wiktoria's family has rented a fairytale castle, complete with a four-course meal and a children's entertainer. On the other hand, the family of ten-year-old Wiktor in the rural province of Holy Cross still celebrates rather traditionally - with plenty of meat, vodka, accordion music, and singing.

In Poland, the First Communion has turned into an ever more elaborate and expensive event.

Re: Lavish Communions in Poland

A tour through the history of Armenia, a small mountainous country which, since independence in 1991, has been caught between difficult neighbours: Azerbaijan and Turkey.

Armenia: Small Country, Big History

All children in France must attend school, but the right to housing depends on the administrative status of their parents. In major cities, private flats have become inaccessible for the most families of modest means. But demand for social housing supply outstrips supply: in the Parisian region, the waiting period is at least two years, and there's a shortage of two million social housing units. Children find themselves without a fixed abode. To assist them, teachers are taking action: in Lyon, a collective has found shelter for 450 students.

Amid a social housing shortage, teachers are trying to find accommodation for their homeless students.

Re: Homeless Children in France

Every year, more than four hundred baby gorillas disappear from the forests of Central Africa. How is this poaching organised, and for whose benefit? Sources reveals the inner workings of a trade that is both highly lucrative and devastating for the endangered species.

Trafficking Baby Gorillas

Sources reveals the inner workings of a trade that is both highly lucrative and devastating for primates.

Animal hoarding, sometimes referred to as Noah Syndrome, is when people keep an unusually large number of animals as pets and cannot look after them properly. Often a symptom of mental health issues, the problem is growing in Germany, with negative impacts on the unfortunate pets.

Animal hoarding, often a symptom of mental health issues, is growing in Germany, with negative impacts on domestic animals.

Re: Animal Hoarders in Germany

The end is nigh for beach concessions in Italy after being handed down through the generations. But using calls for tender, as is set out by European law, has led to operators taking action and stalling for time. However, associations are working to make access to beaches easier, like in Rimini, the Italian holiday hotspot on the Adriatic coast.

The EU and Italy battle it out over beach concessions.

Is it the end for beach concessions in Italy?

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The growing demand for fruit and vegetables in Europe is raising concerns about water management in Spain. A dispute has flared up between the tourism and agriculture sectors around the Tagus river, the largest watercourse in the Iberian peninsula, from which water is diverted south to irrigate Spain's booming agriculture sector.

The growing demand for fruit and vegetables raises concerns about water management in Spain.

Re: Water Shortages in Spain

In France, the ready-to-wear sector is going through an intense crisis. In the first quarter of 2023, around 50 companies were in receivership or liquidation. A figure that has risen by 33% in one year. Why the turmoil? And why are Spanish brands like Zara and Mango still so successful?

While the number of clothing store closures are increasing in France, Spanish brands are doing well.