Niger’s migrant smugglers use ever deadlier routes through the Sahara

The mythical Festival in the desert has returned to Mali... in a way. The Agna Festival near Bamako brings famous musicians together, as well as artists fleeing unrest in northern Mali.

Indian salt farmers work day in, day out for eight months a year to extract salt from handmade wells in a sparse corner of the western Gujarat state. A tonne of salt crystals fetches only 300 rupees ($4.00), but unpredictable rainfall, rising temperatures and frequent dust storms have slashed yields, and made it harder for salt farmers.

Roshan the camel is on an important mission. His destination is a village where dozens of children, all wearing their Sunday best, await him and his cargo of books.

For thousands of years, horses and donkeys have been some of our species' most important partners. A new study shows they're also friends to desert animals and plants, by digging deep wells that provide a vital source of water, especially at the height of summer. Footage from the Sonoran Desert in Arizona shows donkeys digging wells and other animals drinking from them.

In February 1960, France carried out its first nuclear test in the Algerian desert, codenamed "Blue Jerboa". Three more atmospheric tests and 13 underground tests followed, until 1966. The consequences for humans and the environment were disastrous. More than 60 years on, the after-effects are still visible and the victims of nuclear tests are struggling to be heard. FRANCE 24 reports from both sides of the Mediterranean: with former French conscripts who performed their military service in Algeria and are trying to receive compensation, and Algerians, who feel abandoned to their fate.

India’s poor seek ways to keep cool under the scorching sun in desert city Sri Ganganagar where -- as in many parts of India -- people struggle to find respite from a warming planet.

Senegalese living in some of Senegal's most arid regions are building circular, drought-resistant gardens known as Tolou Keurs with hopes of improving food security and, as part of Africa's Great Green Wall project, impeding the Sahara desert's steady advance.

The 35th edition of the "Marathon des Sables" ("Marathon of the Sands"), a six-day 251 km (156 mi) ultramarathon across the Sahara Desert, sets off in southern Morocco, with hundreds of participants ready to take on one of the toughest races on Earth. of the first stage

In Iraq's vast western desert, some 200 families live in a hamlet largely cut off from the rest of the world, their only neighbour one of the country's biggest military bases. Lost in rocky ochre hills and surrounded by humble palm groves, Al-Sahl’s only education facility is a primary school, and residents rely on livestock and farming to survive.

After a migrant boat capsized in the English Channel and claimed 27 lives, France's interior minister has called for help from abroad, saying most trying to cross the Channel start their journey from elsewhere in the EU.

Smuggling is a huge part of the Iranian economy. All kinds of products change hands illegally in Iran, from contraband items like alcohol and satellite dishes, to washing machines, phones and car parts. However, little is known about these people who operate in the shadows. We're joined by Ershad Alijani from the FRANCE 24 Observers, who presents a special report on the issue.

Dubai's high desert dunes attract members of the all-women Grit Girls motorcross team as they brave the summer heat to practice their stunts ahead of the start of next season in September.