a lender contrast of ambitions of inequality. 75 years ago, mahatma gandhi peacefully led the country to independence with what has remained of his vision. where does the world so call to largest democracy stand with where is india headed? this is the moment to unleash on on violet bars. gandhi's legacy starts august 6th on b, w. ah, with hello, and welcome to focus on europe. thank you for joining us for this week's edition.

let me begin by saying that i am really thankful this studio here is air conditioned because outside the sweltering heat wave continues across europe. people are suffering from the heat with countries continually reporting record high temperatures. and while fires arden lighting not just in southern europe, but in central european countries and even in the typically cooler northern parts, heat waves, and drought each. a consequence of human induced climate change are becoming bigger problems every year. some of the consequences of climate change have almost biblical proportions like on the italian island of sardinia, where the province surrounding or italy has been plagued by locusts since 2019 rising temperatures have pushed up locust numbers and come summer huge swarms, wreak havoc on wild life including on farmers, crops, months of hard work can be wiped out in a matter of hours. and the question is, can these insects be stopped aah!

of barren landscape. and the last stragglers of a recent locust swarm the insects left a trail of devastation in their wake. also on farmer, anton hello, browse pastures blue. ready clothing much, there is nothing left. look at the soil and the wonder. they devoured everything. what look, look here. see how many locust there are? well, the front cover with a shuttle slurry tank is full of locusts. anton hello had to move his 800 goats to the surrounding countryside as there was nothing left for them to graze on here. the insect even ate the hay for the winter, which will mean higher costs on a job that's already hardly profitable craft. but normally it's impossible to calculate the damages they cons. 10 o'clock. we've had locust invasion since 2019

recover, but it's never been as bad as this year. so like was to live a request on north brookfield an estimated 50000 hector's of land in sardinia have been effected. the epicenter of the plague is the tier, so river valley. so not that it's only the 5th, but this whole area has been ravaged by the locust oscillate. the gallow figure of spunk element they. they moved along the river with a flood plains below this mountain range for ideal conditions for local cl ali. a soap talk was that got they? nothing like that. a little martin dinner. gavin owen, fabio worked for the regional agriculture agency. part of their job is to try to gain control over the past. really kick with thought here this female is langer eggs. sweet because our fe mina. she digs a whole clear said outside of a nuclear then and go the eggs we made the low for every female deposits up to 30 eggs 3 times each season will take talk with stripped of them. these are the pods they laid their eggs in africa, 3 next to each other. quote,

the internal dish inside that the eggs of the locust, ne aline, the life cycle last from april to july. hello mr. lulu. they lay eggs 3 times and then they die. that bone of both evolved if we morial locusts will even eat other dead locusts, fabio says proper plowing of the land is an important tool for combating invasions that it would have an effect. but it may ploughing is important in order to get the eggs out of the ground and onto the surface. they, because only the can they be eaten by the natural predators that birds, pigs, wild boys or other on the horse from yaya to the chatham public. any marley shall neely arturo cocoa from the university of sorry, research is locusts. he explains multiple factors contribute to locust investigations which began on sardinia in 2019 sequence man. they can be, i mean the climate change plays a big role. you mall because we now have long,

dry periods eatable receive. on top of that sunday morning, moorland has been abandoned, unequal. it's no longer been cultivated or managed to luck would be basil and had been very thought. mm. the use of chemicals is only effective against young locusts . plus, there are large areas where pesticides cannot be used anyway because there devoted to organic farming researchers are therefore relying on natural predators. first and foremost, this beetle malebranche, variable, us, that bothered up on the north, that ain't bought, that we must do whatever it takes to protect and propagate the locus natural predators soon. and their la had that. but i thought the only way we could control this infestation would red linkedin see thought request they'd be questing for us. that's your garvey, no one fabio collect the beatles as they are currently the most successful weapon for preventing future locust plagues that bonnie lu over. arlene, this is a delay. it's eggs in the hole where the locusts have their egg salad in the linda beat. love i eat the locusts eggs. they lay,

they were tried to capture as many beetles as possible in places where they're not needed head of oral and used to where we lead their health out only over magole to national or international. the main in 2021 sardine as regional government made a plan to combat the locust plagues. this includes an app for reporting swarms, organic pesticides, and farmers being required to plow their land even now gabino and fabio are working hard so that next summer their native island will be spared from the insects noon. many european countries and the us are supplying ukraine with tanks, rocket launchers, and rifles to resist the rushes invasion. and humanitarian aid is also being sent to your craniums. one thing they're lacking though, are some very specific kinds of cars altering and automobiles, like su, views, and pickups. these vehicles are mainly needed near battle lines to bring food or

ammunition, or to evacuate the wounded yacht cheque you go. bater is bringing such vehicles to ukraine. the initiative is funded by donations and for him and his friends, the more cars, the better. ah, erie corpus is inspecting the actual suspension here and walsall. he's helping to get this old korean off rhoda and shake the vehicle will soon be heading to ukraine. you check the suspension. it's not sitting right. like if the used car was purchased with donations, the men overhauled it for free. it's to be handed over to ukraine's armed forces at no charge on that. we're looking for off road vehicles that could be put to use at the front. but for example, to transport the wounded image on a daily they should have all wheel drive solutions. puzzles, well known polish journalist and author yacht,

se coogel barbara came up with the idea for this initiative. since the invasion began. he has been in the ukraine several times and eventually started collecting donations where performed virginia with the going. i'm a reporter and the job is my life. look at the i and since i'll be going over there, quite often i wanted the ukrainians to get something out of it. but that, that was it. so i launched this fundraising initiative and was able to buy for vehicles including that one total. and he learned what was needed most during his trips visually told you were after letting the major powers send tanks and artillery, but they don't have enough everyday vehicles. and they really need them in my own. i realize there's no point in sending good new cars because they'll have a short lifespan in ukraine. a centric approach. i bring these cars to the troops of the 24th mechanized brigade and the dunbar. cl, dr. google, i have friends fighting, there is they received a beautiful new car from the u. k. that only survived for 2 days, one bus year, or the south pink with some awkward novel dangling of crude was from godaddy.

evelyn of zuka, a native ukrainian, is packing donations from a canadian aid organization to be brought along very, very expensive am and quite badly needed because suitable for anybody, for the soldiers or for the general population. and we've thrown a couple of a toys for kids, just, you know, they're, they're going through a war. and so just a couple of things with the box had a little bit of space, so we put it in. and then here is a drawing that one of the children in canada had gone for ukraine. so we'll be passing on a couple of these for 84 year old father and other relatives are still and key f. it's a source of constant worry and very saddened and it's bewildering to me that in the 21st century we have something like this going on. he was also urgently needed in ukraine. the country is suffering fuel shortages. so yeah. second, evelyn will be taking supplies both for themselves and as

a donation. jackie co, emma is up here from the 1st time i went to ukraine. there were only 2 filling stations along the entire road from of even cheaper, but that's about 900 kilometers. one would only let you buy 20 leaders of the other 10 and even for that, ukrainians had to stand in line for 24 hours a little stretch. so you had to stay in line around the clock just to get 10 leaders of fuel dishes to flavor. everything's ready to go. fuel reserves, donations of medical supplies, and to vehicles and ins. okay, so far i will see 290000 kilometers on the vehicle. the quickbook b. ah, it's a 5 hour drive to the ukrainian border and a few more hours to levine, a long journey for the old car and its passengers. the next day they've almost reached their destination yet sick hands over the remaining

fuel reserves and the vehicle on a parking lot on the outskirts of town. we can't say exactly where for security reasons, even for the tally will help make sure the vehicles reach the forces on the front line. nissan altima hotel, michelle boys have as many vehicles as they can get a bottle of pickup trucks, it all will light off. roaders will be on the all wheel. many buses are all great options because they can get through grass or mud and other surfaces really well. we'll just have a great respect for the poles and all the other europeans who are helping us car the pull my it together will when was more next week? yeah. think who boulevard are plans to bring another 2 vehicles, jiggle, crane, or a country fighting to defend its independence? since the beginning of the russian invasion around, one 3rd of the ukrainian population has had to flee. millions have found shelter

abroad, and among them are sasha and her 17 year old daughter ana, who are staying with a host family in berlin. now on paper they're safe, but how safe you actually feel when you're starting a new life in a foreign country and facing all of the challenges that that brings. how do you deal with making a fresh start? while many of those you care about remain in a war torn country, a reporter accompanied sasha and ana as they took their 1st steps in the german capital. a rushes violent invasion of a crime has forced millions of people to flee their homes. and sasha are now refugees and germany, which now wishing christine with the hearts are still a new client. you super in mind that was yoga to my friends, state and shanna he, i think my classmates would but them were supreme. i, i can't bear the thought that they did not have the chance to escape what i, even though they wanted to what britain,

it's terrifying to bring him home because i can't help them reach him from which in. hannah was finishing up high school. such a work to the call center. the war completely changed their lives when beaten us was and as soon as they bombed us from day one new deal. so the very 1st week we moved to my mother's house and hid them in order. we were in the basement the whole time, a porcelain was valued as lit, shut. the bombing started timothy after a while and we could tell what kind of shell had fallen just by the sound those 1st days. we knew a lot of people who died in the street away civilians. ordinary people, our neighbor prophesied not anymore. ah, but after the 3rd attempt,

another sasha managed to escape. they now live with a host family, amberlynn o. jones or your parents listens, which honestly humans are social being with. if someone falls down next to you, you feel empathy and help them out. now it's only natural for yourself. so since you've been on sasha have signed up for a german class. me the courses offered by the church for free. i think i love them. do you have children? i 2 children. well i the name of your wife, your husband. i morton isn't who i am a single with. okay, thank you very much. there's no dish a little bit if you go with

though with we want to started your money. i play at them. so little boy a. it's why we wouldn't that also garbage your money over the way. it's not just the current situation that weighs on them. they are also still grieving the death of anna's father. he died fighting separatists in 2017 as well. no, sir, as i stand here, i think of my husband ranch and he died very early in the school. we found our peace with it's a bit, was that all got my decision, but all those painful feelings are back and i mostly, it's all so sound che shannon and sasha want to say thanks to their hosts. so they are cooking

a typical ukrainian dish that also brings up memories of their own lives in the home. and i want to see my grand burneff and eat, grinned grandma, as is the 4th. it is the the most beautiful thing in the world. yeah. and her, me, my friend and talk about oh, how is a feeling? and allison is fine or maybe some think it's terrible. and just took more school over all they have gotten used to their new life and they get along well with their host family. for the good one, it feels like we're having dinner with our own family. we're already entirely comfortable without german family. it's like being home got dormer tooth, and berlin is also growing on the la couldn't yet most of this. and there was

a different under our new plans in the making. i want to to come back to crane to see my family members. but i think about leaving in terms of my life in the future because i like this country, new phone book, and i'm too old to completely overturn my former life to live. and my relatives are in ukraine. i leave my house to you. i want emma to decide for herself whether she wants to stay in germany or return to ukraine. you leave that, but i want to go home sunday so that when the war is over, i will definitely do that, that and at this deal. but as to when that might be for now, mother and daughter have no idea. daughter, good deal ludovic. muhammad saw head is a scholar of islam, a mosque founder, and he's openly gay. he was reported to be the 1st french muslim to be sibling

married to another man. and while many would argue that was his right, there were those who say islam and homosexuality are not compatible. even in marcia, in the south of france, whereas i had lives, he has allies in his fight against prejudices, but the path he's chosen is long and risky. law was on law. mom ludovic, mohammed's ahead is praying for tolerance and he's happy to do so with a woman that in itself is already pretty unusual. but the real surprise is that the muslim scholar is openly homosexual and fighting for gays to be accepted in islam. or they receive up with effect, this can't go on with it for the others too much violence, pressure and degradation gone off it on again, people pretend we don't exist. sometimes there's even physical violence in our families and community healthy off. i mean on the come, no, there,

after studying to become an, a mom back in his native country of algeria. zach had fled here to mar, say, in southern france, in his new home he came out as homosexual and founded an islamic institute. these days he also officiate gay weddings i've flown cur massey, that hello told me a thank you for coming her. she decided the dish. i'm very honored to take part in the ceremony. yes, it's every money. it's about acceptance and standing one's ground on it officially same sex marriages are not allowed in islam. ball was with a congratulations bought book with that's why sammy mom's in france have threatens i head and pitted muslims against him. as i did come up with a so people are very angry without knowing me. it's crazy that people can hate you . i want to see you dead without even knowing you. bought it saw father kenneth,

according to one survey, over 2 thirds of muslims in france, have prejudices against homosexuals. of the human muslims. we don't have that kind of thing. need be me. we behave with decency i i she no dish earlier fed to death. her almost she had to for us to be homosexual and do such things. them all is a terrible send sang and that's why and muslims don't do that. he fakers emmys. you my, if it myself but i had wants to belong to the muslim community. he's already gone on 5 pilgrimages to the holy muslim city of macca. he wants to show that homosexuals can be good muslims. i said it hasn't. what was important to me and those to be physically present and show to be exist under part of the community. please call her back to let them know

that we have the same practices and that for no less human or spiritual, just because we're of, as they put it different for the on the whole. the a mom is calling for open discussion about our new reformed islam with more tolerance towards minorities. he moderates talks on social media, and today's gases are a catholic clergyman and so lima, one a few women who are a moms. okay, culture. she said that you get them. so asia, farts is sure that you, well, better than me. there says we have created man, we have created willa, and we have created something in between. so lima values her brother in faith and says he is breaking new ground. what linda vic is doing is he is creating an institution. he's institutionalizing and new, modern i am inclusive islam and this is new. there is nobody offering those

tools as i had also wants to protect those who are in danger because of their sexual orientation. like this group of homosexual refugees, some have had their lives threatened back in their home countries and their fellow believers here don't always show them tolerance either. oh, well i thought it was time to sound the alarm for toner and the mom has been supporting this artistic worked for years here. the group is putting on a dance performance oh, rules for comp often it makes me happy to see how much good at those to participants . and it's interesting for the audience too, because some struggle to understand these identities other. hong though, just

a reality was to audience discovers here through our to because that's a wonderful thing to go to the cash off to think as i said, almost level in order to win over more people for his cause, ludovic, mohammed's had wants to share this with others, he's determined to keep at it despite the risks we put back while was there. sure. there are moments when you're afraid of her, but not really and that's not count to hold us back to my food teams. i thought there are unfortunately only a few wild rivers left here in europe. the view also in albia is one of the last that still flows untamed and free. it's a unique ecosystem that has remained largely undisturbed by human influences. and it's now been decided that it should stay that way. the government in toronto wants to turn the viola and all of its tributaries into europe's 1st wild river. national

park. that's music to the ears of nature, lovers, and environmentalists. although they don't quite trust the government's plans. the vio, so river and its tributaries are a rarity in europe, as they are still largely wild biologist all c mika has been fighting to keep it that way for 12 years, and to keep the river safe from hydro. electric plants construction had already started at the sight of $3000.00 dams that are being projected in the balkans. so 90 percent of these dams are the so called small scale hydras. actually they are bringing almost nothing to the energy grid. but at the same time, they are having the huge, ecological footprint, albania, power grid supplied almost entirely by hydro electric plants, but they can't meet demand. to keep the vio, san tapped. environmentalists have been calling for a national park for years. it's actually our last chance to steal, contain the free flowing river, not for the banana law, but it's on

a european gun context. finally, in early june, the albanian government promised to establish a national park, looked at kids. no new power plants are to be built on the visa, but we can't speak of a national park where there will be only plants and animals far there'll be economic development for people as well to lima economy. bernezi champion say across is going more local residues question, the projects integrity, ackman, belzoni office rafting tours for backpackers. for years he's been campaigning to legally protect the viola for gentle tourism in the region and no dams, eyes goddamn robina, we, we have not all the confidence to believe what the government said because what the government now say they can change it. essentially the views as future depends on whether it's protection as a national park has signed into law. and on that those in power let this river stay

wild. that brings us to the end of this edition of focus on europe. if you missed anything or want to share a report, you can always find our program on our website. it's d w dot com. thank you for watching and on behalf of the entire team. try to stay cool. see you next week and good bye for now. ah ah, with

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