Protests in Zimbabwe turn violent as police beat peaceful protesters and fire tear gas

Russian authorities are attempting to intimidate opponents of the war in Ukraine. Courageous activists in Kazan report what they have been doing and what consequences they face. A report from Tatarstan.

As Germany looks to ditch Russian oil and gas for good, its domestic energy industry is a key side actor — but can it step up to the plate? We search for clues in the village where Germany's oil sector was born.

Russian energy giant Gazprom said it would halt gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria, raising concerns that Moscow could use energy supplies as blackmail over the conflict in Ukraine.

The suspensions are the first since Russia insisted foreign buyers pay for gas in rubles. Both Poland and Bulgaria have said Gazprom are in breach of contact.

The rest of Europe may not be at war, but is it ready for the sacrifices of a wartime economy? The Kremlin shutting the gas tap on Bulgaria and Poland may be but a prelude to a brutally swift transition away from Russian gas and oil. Deals will be dropped, money will be lost.

With Poland and Bulgaria cut off from Russian gas, major European energy firms are reportedly considering compliance with Moscow's demand to be paid in roubles. Over in the US, Archegos Capital's Bill Hwang pleads not guilty to fraud. Finally, amid a shortage of sunflower oil due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the French government has authorised food companies to change their recipes without altering their packaging.

Europe is at a crossroads. Amid the war in Ukraine, can the continent wean itself off Russian gas? An energy transition is underway, but the alternatives could lock countries into dirty fossil fuels for years to come. We take a closer look in this edition of Down to Earth.

The publication of a leaked document that could overturn a landmark abortion rights ruling in the US has sparked angry demonstrations in front of the Supreme Court. The decision would change a bedrock of American law.

Growing discontent has led to a united national opposition against President Kais Saied. But could the pursuit of democracy backfire — and see the nation return to an iron fist rule?

As the World Economic Forum in Davos draws to a close, Business Editor Kate Moody gives us an update on the final day's agenda. The war in Ukraine and global food and energy security dominated discussions throughout the event. The head of the International Energy Agency (IEA), Fatih Birol, has told FRANCE 24 that it will be very difficult for Europe to move away from Russian gas because of its over-reliance on the country's supplies over the years.

The Czech Republic and Slovakia rely heavily on Russian gas imports. Now, the Ukraine war and skyrocketing gas costs have forced both countries to consider other energy sources.

Sri Lanka is facing one of the worst economic crises in recent decades, triggering public anger and mass protests, which have fostered unity across ethnic and religious lines.