Iraq and France

Pascale Harter presents stories from correspondents based around the world.

In this edition, Prashant Rao has been visiting a rare champion in Iraq. Ahmed Naas won a silver medal at the Paralympics in London this summer. He expected to return home to a hero’s welcome – but reality has not lived up to his expectations.

Also, we visit France, where the once-thriving espadrille industry has been steadily eroded by cheap imports from the Far East. But now with the help of some local designers and a particularly determined mayor, the shoe industry is making something of a comeback. Chris Bockman reports.

(Image: Iraqi paralympian Ahmed Naas. Credit: AHMAD AL-RUBAYE/AFP/Getty Images)