Obstetric fistula – experts say condition is caused by prolonged labour

Art collectors and musicians have been advised to take advantage of technology in making and selling a non-fungible token, NFT.

Ivory Coast, the world's top cocoa producer, is facing mounting demand from Western consumers for ethical chocolate -- a product that is ecologically sound and made without child labour. In a widely publicised operation named Nawa 2, police picked up dozens of children in a crackdown in Soubre, the country's cocoa-producing heartland 400 kilometres (250 miles) west of the economic capital Abidjan.

For the first time in 20 years, child labour has increased around the world. Last year, 160 million youngsters were working, or 8.4 million more than in 2016. The Covid-19 crisis and resulting rise in poverty are often responsible. In Iraq, the number of children forced to work has increased steadily in recent decades due to conflict, forced displacement and economic challenges. Our correspondents Jack Hewson and Lucile Wassermann went to meet some of those who are trying to stem the scourge of child labour.

The Parana River, second in size only to the Amazon in South America, is suffering its worst low since 1941, with experts unsure as to whether this owes to its natural cycle or to climate change. The river is crucial for providing drinking water and irrigating farmland, generating electricity as well as for transporting goods to landlocked Paraguay and Bolivia.

The Parana River, second in size only to the Amazon in South America, is suffering its worst low since 1941, with experts unsure as to whether this owes to its natural cycle or to climate change. The river is crucial for providing drinking water and irrigating farmland, generating electricity as well as for transporting goods to landlocked Paraguay and Bolivia.

The World Health Organization has been under pressure after nearly two dozen of its employees were accused of sexual abuse in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The practice of force-feeding babies and toddlers is common in many African countries. Health experts warn that while this gives adults full control it can harm a child's development.

Many African parents wrongly believe that having overweight children symbolizes affluence in society. Nutritionists are now seeking to educate them on the health risks posed by obesity and being overweight.

Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of laying naval mines recently found in the Black Sea. Global shipping has been disrupted — and prices are rising.

A video released by the Kremlin last weekend shows Putin in seemingly bad health. Some commentators and tabloids claim he has Parkinson's. What do doctors think?

While most advanced economies are recovering from the worst effects of the pandemic, labour markets are facing a new and unexpected challenge: a shortage of workers. It's one of the issues business leaders are discussing at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Christophe Catoir, President of Adecco, tells FRANCE 24's Business Editor Kate Moody that the problem could persist for several years to come.

A cache of documents known as "The Xinjiang Police Files" sheds new light on human rights abuses by the Chinese government towards the region's Uyghur minority.