Latest update: 18/05/2012 

- agriculture - human rights - India - malnutrition


The dark side of India's tea industry

Indians are the world's biggest tea drinkers and producers. Half of the country's entire output comes from the north-eastern state of Assam, but the conditions for many of those who work on its tea plantations are appalling. Workers earn well below the minimum wage and malnutrition is also common. Laws about facilities and conditions on tea estates exist, but many don't comply. Our correspondents Natacha Butler and Vikram Singh went to visit one such estate in the south of Assam.

By Natacha BUTLER / Vikram Singh
Former Panama dictator Noriega arrives in France
27/04/2010 - FRANCE

Former Panama dictator Noriega arrives in France

Manuel Noriega, the former Panamanian dictator, has been extradited to Paris to face charges of money-laundering. He had been in a US prison since 1992, having been ousted in 1989 and sentenced to forty years in prison for drugs and arms trafficking. France has promised to give him a new trial, but if found guilty, the 72 year old could face another ten years in jail.
Still no justice for Rafiq Hariri
27/04/2010 - LEBANON

Still no justice for Rafiq Hariri

The Special Tribunal for Lebanon started investigating the assassination of Rafiq Hariri in March 2009. While the finger of blame was initially pointed at Syria in the aftermath of the former Lebanese Prime Minister's death in 2005, no-one has ever been charged - though rumours are still rife, both about Syria and its ally, Hezbollah.
France's burqa debate heats up
27/04/2010 - FOCUS

France's burqa debate heats up

It's the driving fine that's turned into an affair of state. Controversy is raging in France after a woman was fined for wearing a full Islamic veil while driving. Now it has emerged that her Algerian-born husband could be stripped of his French citizenship because he is suspected of polygamy and benefits fraud. This comes less than a week after the government announced plans to introduce a new law in the coming months that would ban the full Islamic veil in public places.
Belgium in stalemate once again as Flemish/French rift deepens
23/04/2010 - BELGIUM

Belgium in stalemate once again as Flemish/French rift deepens

For the fifth time in three years, tensions between French- and Flemish-speaking parts of Belgium have brought the government to its knees. In the south, there are only French speakers, while the north only has Flemish speakers. The Brussels-Halle-Vilvoorde electoral district (BHV) however, is bilingual: French speakers can vote for French-speaking parties, even if they live in Flemish municipalities. Flemish politicians say the system is unfair and have quit the government in protest.
The trial of 'Super Judge' Garzon
23/04/2010 - SPAIN

The trial of 'Super Judge' Garzon

From General Pinochet to ETA terrorists, he has been known as the man to strike fear into some of the world's most powerful people. But now 'Super Judge' Baltasar Garzon has been suspended from duty and faces being disbarred for 20 years for allegedly abusing his power. Garzon is accused of breaking a 1977 amnesty law by launching Spain's first-ever investigation into crimes committed during the Franco era.

React to the article
Comment this article typing your message in the above text zone. Please note that this is limited to 1500 characters or less.
(0) Reactions
Read more
Close