Drug cartel infighting forces Mexicans to flee from their homes

West of Mexico City, a violent clash erupted between two rival gangs of drug traffickers. According to preliminary information, the confrontation took place between two factions of the same cartel, La Familia. Shootings took place in several villages, forcing between 800 and 1300 people to take refuge in the nearby town of Apatzingan.

FOCUS

By Laurence CUVILLIER / Matthieu COMIN

05/11/2009 - FRANCE

Los Angeles, a marijuana smokers' heaven

With close to 1000 dispensaries offering diverse strains of medical marijuana, and just as many doctors willing to hand out prescriptions for the drug, Los Angeles has quickly become a marijuana smoker's heaven.

04/11/2009 - USA

In rural America, many still struggle to accept Obama

Twelve months after Barack Obama's historic election, many right-wing voters still haven't digested his victory. Our correspondent travelled to West Virginia, a rural state where anti-Obama sentiments run high.

(2) comments

04/11/2009 - FRANCE

Obama's healthcare battle drags on

US President Barack Obama has spent much of his first months in office urging Congress to approve a sweeping reform of the country's health care system, but progress has been painfully slow. Our guests in the US and in Paris explain why.

04/11/2009 - FRANCE

Multimedia debate on national identity

As France's Ministry for Immigration and Integration launches a multimedia debate to define what exactly it is to be French, FRANCE 24 takes a look at what tests immigrants face when they apply to live in France.

03/11/2009 - BURMA

US policy of engagement leaves exiles uneasy

After more than a decade of using the stick in relations with Burma's military junta, the administration of US President Barack Obama has shown signs it also intends to use the carrot - at the risk of upsetting exiled Burmese opposition groups.