Latest update: 23/03/2011 

- Italy - mafia - organised crime - police


'Catturandi' elite police garners support in rounding up Sicilian mafia

The days when the Mafia ruled Sicily could soon be just a memory. The Catturandi are an elite police force with the sole objective of rounding up members of the mob, many of whom have been on the run for years. The officers are all local to Sicily and their dedication to the job has won the hearts of residents and gained their support in hunting down Mafia criminals.

Programme prepared by Kate Williams, Marie Billon and Patrick Lovett

Attacks on rural villages spark fears of increasing violence
28/03/2013 - IVORY COAST

Attacks on rural villages spark fears of increasing violence

Two successive attacks within little over a week in western Ivory Coast have fanned fears of renewed tensions between government troops and militia leaders loyal to ousted former President Laurent Gbagbo. Thousands living in Blolequin, the largest town nearest the violence, have decided to flee. Two rural villages were burned in the fighting. Many farmers have lost much of their crops and now live in fear of further attacks.
Latvians flee country's financial crisis in search of work
28/03/2013 - LATVIA

Latvians flee country's financial crisis in search of work

Latvia was hard hit by the 2008 financial crisis. Over 10 percent of the population has left in the past decade alone in a bid to escape poverty, unemployment and budget cuts. Some 400 villages in the country are now actually in danger of being wiped off the map. Latvia has since returned to growth and reduced its deficit, but many still aren't seeing the benefits. Those Latvians who fled abroad are not rushing to come back.
US Supreme court re-opens gay marriage debate
26/03/2013 - USA

US Supreme court re-opens gay marriage debate

The US Supreme Court is set to re-open the debate on the issue of gay marriage. Over the next two days, the highest court in America will look at the ban on same-sex weddings in the state of California (which briefly allowed gays to get married, before changing the law), but also the Defence of Marriage Act, which prevents same-sex couples from enjoying the same federal rights and benefits as their heterosexual counterparts.
Kurdish families hopeful after PKK leader Ocalan announces ceasefire
26/03/2013 - TURKEY

Kurdish families hopeful after PKK leader Ocalan announces ceasefire

After several months of negotiations with the government, Abdullah Ocalan, the leader of the PKK, has announced an end to the Kurdish armed struggle. In a historic message, the founder of the Kurdistan Workers' Party issued an appeal to his followers to retreat beyond Turkey's borders. Although the process is just beginning, it has already sparked a dream of peace among millions of Kurdish families.
CAR rebels claim capital as President Bozizé flees
25/03/2013 - CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

CAR rebels claim capital as President Bozizé flees

Rebel leader Michel Djotodia has declared himself the new President of the Central African Republic after Seleka coalition rebels took control of the presidential palace this weekend. The United Nations and the African Union have condemned the coup and rejected Djotodia's claims of legitimacy. Meanwhile France, a former colonial power, has sent troops to protect some 1,200 French nationals who live in the country.

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