Birth of French 'saviour sibling' raises bioethics questions

A very special baby was born on January 26th at the Antoine Béclère hospital near Paris. As an embryo, Umut Talha (Turkish for "our hope") was screened so that his parents knew he would not suffer the same genetic disorder that has afflicted his siblings. Not only that, but cells from his umbilical cord can also be used to treat his sister, an idea that's raising questions about bioethics in France.

FOCUS

Chicago vs Rio... The North vs the South... Who will host the 2016 Summer Olympic Games? The Olympic campaign is coming to an end and the winner will be revealed this Friday in Copenhagen.

PAKISTAN

French submarines in murky waters

Pakistan is said to be close to buying three French submarines, but negotiations are unfolding in a context of suspicions of corruption linked to a previous submarine sale, said to be linked to the Karachi bombing of 2002.

PHILIPPINES

Tropical Storm Ketsana leaves Manila in chaos

France 24 looks at the chaotic situation in Manila after tropical storm Ketsana hit the Philippine capital bringing with it the heaviest rain in more than four decades. At least 140 people have been reported dead, officials say.

GERMANY

Mission accomplished for Angela Merkel

Angela Merkel has swept to a second mandate as German Chancellor, this time securing a majority with her favoured coalition partner, the pro-business FDP, as the Social Democrats paid the price of an uncomfortable partnership with the CDU.

ISRAEL

Former PM Ehud Olmert in the dock

The former Prime Minister of the Jewish state is in court accused of corruption during his time as the mayor of Jerusalem. Ehud Olmert is the first Israeli PM to stand trial and his case is expected to go on for several months.