L'Aquila, one year on

Over the past year, the Italian government's priority has been to build new homes for the tens of thousands of people who were left homeless in the aftermath of the deadly earthquake. Known locally as the "Villas Berlusconi", more than 15,000 of the 70,000 homeless people have now been relocated to the outskirts of L'Aquila. But even as victims of the disaster begin to settle in their new homes, not everyone is happy about the situation.

FOCUS

By Alexis MASCIARELLI

AFGHAN ELECTIONS

In today's Focus, an in-depth look at the upcoming elections in Afghanistan as seen from neighbouring Pakistan, which is waging a costly war against a Taliban insurrection.

17/08/2009 - AFGHANISTAN

Taliban make inroads in northern Afghanistan

A few days before Afghan presidential election, the north of the country is becoming a new battleground between the Taliban and government. FRANCE 24 reports from the Kunduz region.

SOUTH AFRICA

Recession weighs on Zuma's first 100 days

Since rising to power on a wave of popular enthusiasm, South African President Jacob Zuma has been grappling with mass strikes and the country's first recession in 17 years. We take a closer look at his first 100 days in office.

CHINA

Rethinking the 'one child' policy

Three decades after China introduced drastic measures to limit population growth, the country is running out of labour resources to feed its insatiable economy, prompting a radical rethink of the "one child" policy.

RUSSIA - SHIPPING

Cargo ship, probably hijacked, vanished two weeks ago

A Maltese-registered ship, the Arctic Sea, was supposed to reach Algeria on August 4 but disappeared. There has been no communication from the crew of the since the end of July. Focus looks at theories about what happened.