French float 'aid corridor' idea to reach Syrian civilians

French Foreign Minister Alain Juppé has suggested creating "humanitarian aid corridors" in Syria, in order to ferry medical provisions and supplies to inhabitants of conflict-hit cities like Homs. This would allow aid workers to reach civilians without fear of bombardment. But the idea has already drawn criticism, with some saying the corridors would require military intervention, a prospect Russia and China are unwilling to entertain.

FOCUS

13/11/2009 - HISTORY

Germany unlocks its past

Former West Berlin policeman Karl Heinz Kurras, soon on trial for weapons possession, gained infamy after his shooting of a student led to the 1968 youth riots. But his work for the Stasi secret service could shed light on Germany's secretive past.

12/11/2009 - H1N1 VIRUS

To vaccinate or not to vaccinate?

As a mass inoculation campaign against the H1N1 flu virus kicks off across France, opinion polls show that most French people will not vaccinate because they fear possible side effects.

12/11/2009 - COLOMBIA

Digging up Colombia's ugly past

In the name of anti-guerrilla warfare, Colombian paramilitary forces spread terror in the countryside over two decades. Their units now disbanded, some have gone back to the sites of the killings to repent.

11/11/2009 - ARMISTICE DAY

Former foes put on show of unity in Paris

Angela Merkel has become the first German chancellor to attend commemorations of the end of Word War I in Paris with French President Nicolas Sarkozy, celebrating the close partnership between two former foes.

11/11/2009 - AFGHANISTAN

Rough road for Afghan reconstruction

Since 2001, the international community has spent at least 30 billion dollars on development projects in Afghanistan. But there are growing fears that much of the money has gone to waste.

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