Southern Sudan - on the road to independence?

After years of neglect by the central government in Khartoum, southern Sudan's capital of Juba is experiencing a renaissance. Foreign investment from neighbouring African countries has spurred economic growth. The question now is whether southern Sudan will grow strong enough to become a viable independent country.

FOCUS

13/05/2013 - BULGARIA

More instability following elections in Bulgaria

This weekend's parliamentary election in Bulgaria has revealed a nation worn down by poverty and corruption. The party of Boiko Borisov, the former prime minister who resigned in February amid protests over poverty and corruption, won the most votes but did not secure a majority. Political uncertainty in the EU’s poorest country could spell yet more angst.

13/05/2013 - SPAIN

Spain's royal family falling out of favour

Spain's King Juan Carlos is under increasing pressure to abdicate in favour of his son, Felipe. Last year's elephant-hunting trip to Botswana did not help improve the King’s ailing popularity, especially at a time when the country’s public purse strings are being tightened. His popularity has slipped further in the wake of allegations linking Princess Cristina and her husband to an embezzlement plot. France 24 reports from Majorca on what the locals think of Spain’s monarchy.

10/05/2013 - BULGARIA

The modern-day slave trade

Commemorations were held across France on Friday May 10th for "Slavery Remembrance Day". The slave trade in France was officially abolished in 1848, but modern-day slavery still appears alive and well in Europe. We take a look at a report from Bulgaria on the plight of women caught up in the sex trade.

10/05/2013 - PAKISTAN

The Taliban's election campaign of violence

The Taliban have been doing their best to disrupt Pakistan's May 11th election. It's been the deadliest campaign in the country's history with hundreds killed and many others kidnapped. The Taliban unleashed a campaign of terror calling democracy "un-Islamic" and vowed to attack anyone who associated with it. Our correspondents Taha Siddiqui and Julien Fouchet went to Peshawar, where candidates found themselves under threat 24/7.

09/05/2013 - ITALY

Berlusconi tax fraud conviction upheld

An Italian court has upheld a ruling in Silvio Berlusconi's trial for tax fraud. The former prime minister had appealed the conviction, which came with a four-year prison sentence. His lawyers now say they will contest the decision before Italy's highest court of appeal. This comes shortly after Berlusconi's centre-right PDL party joined a grand coalition with the centre-left PD.