World Day to combat desertification

As the UN marks the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, people in Rajasthan, northern India, are suffering from one of the worst droughts in decades. There are fears the local economy will suffer as the yearly monsoon season has been delayed.

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By Constantin SIMON

26/04/2013 - GERMANY

Jewish exhibition in Berlin raises eyebrows

A new exhibition at the Berlin Jewish Museum appears almost purpose-built to cause controversy. The Jewish Museum in Berlin calls it "Everything you always wanted to know about the Jews". The exhibition addresses questions written by visitors in the museum's guest book. Its content and location are already causing a stir.

25/04/2013 - FRANCE

Closing the pay gap between men and women

The French government says it's getting tough on employers who flout equal pay laws. Recently two companies were fined for violating equality legislation. According to the European Commission, the problem isn't restricted to France. Brussels says that, on average, men are paid 16 per cent more than women across the European Union.

25/04/2013 - CHINA

Hollande the salesman visits new Chinese president

French President Francois Hollande has become the first foreign head of state to be received by new Chinese leader Xi Jinping. While his predecessor irked China over issues such as Tibet, Hollande is seeking to forget the past and start relations afresh - not least to boost the French economy. His hopes of launching new trade ties are helped by the fact that Shanghai is home to the largest community of French expatriates in China... and that the Chinese love all things French.

24/04/2013 - AFGHANISTAN

TV fans defend Afghan soap opera against conservative critics

Afghanistan's TV industry is thriving. Since the Taliban were ousted in 2001, more than 40 channels have been created. Shows are usually imported from India, Turkey and even South Korea. But one of them is different: "University FM" is an Afghan-made soap opera that's breaking taboos by running storylines on arranged marriages and Islamism. The show has done well in the ratings, but it's provoked anger, particularly in a country where actresses are still considered by many to be prostitutes.

23/04/2013 - FRANCE

France legalises same-sex marriage in face of protests

It's an issue that has divided French society for months, but this Tuesday, the National Assembly finally approved a bill making France the 14th country in the world to allow same-sex marriage. The bill also grants gay and lesbian couples the right to adopt children. But the past months have been marred by widespread demonstrations, for and against, and even a spate of violent homophobic attacks. We look back at the debate and division leading up to Tuesday's historic vote.