Latest update: 24/10/2012 

- corruption - food aid - India - malnutrition - poverty


$40 million 'food heist' leaves India's poor starving

No Flash warning
To take advantage of all the features on FRANCE24.COM, please click here to download the latest version of Flash Player.

Corruption is well documented in India, but a recently unearthed scam has shown it at its worst. In what has been called the country’s "biggest food heist", $40 billion worth of food was allegedly siphoned off by politicians and sold to private traders. The scam is all the more shocking given India’s struggle with food and nutrition: nearly half the country’s children below the age of five are malnourished, a statistic worse than most sub-Saharan African countries.

FOCUS
By Constantin SIMON / Vikram Singh
Chinese corruption continues, despite president's promise
23/05/2013 - CHINA

Chinese corruption continues, despite president's promise

China's new President, Xi Jinping, has sworn to crack down on the corruption that is rife in the country, although the issue does not seem to be high on the government's list of priorities. While individuals who try to expose high-ranking officials for their wrongdoings are lauded in the media, they are persecuted by the authorities - and often end up being thrown in prison.
Ban Ki-Moon arrives in DRC amid fresh M23 violence
22/05/2013 - DR CONGO

Ban Ki-Moon arrives in DRC amid fresh M23 violence

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has arrived in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He's set to tour the east of the country, before travelling to neighbouring Rwanda and Uganda. His visit comes as violence has again flared up between the M23 rebel movement and the Congolese army, causing 30,000 people to flee the area. Mr Ban's trip also coincides with the arrival of 3,000 extra peacekeeping troops, the first time the UN will have an "offensive" mandate.
Israeli government cracks down on civilians' illegal firearms
22/05/2013 - ISRAEL

Israeli government cracks down on civilians' illegal firearms

In a country where weapons abound, gun owners may sometimes lose track of a gun or a rifle, tucked away at the back of a cupboard. Now, after several deadly incidents involving firearms, Israel's Ministry of Public Security and police are collaborating to rein in some of the country's illegally-held weaponry, including guns, assault rifles and cartridges, for which permits have expired. Officials are poring over their files in an attempt to locate the firearms and their current owners.
France goes shopping for drones
21/05/2013 - DEFENCE

France goes shopping for drones

France is in the market for unmanned drones, the remotely controlled aircraft favoured by countries such as the US, whose military uses them to monitor difficult enemy terrain in Pakistan and Afghanistan. The current French fleet of drones was purchased 20 years ago and Paris wants to update it. But Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian has come in for criticism after approaching US and Israeli manufacturers instead of encouraging French brands to start making them.
Spanish transport system running on empty
21/05/2013 - SPAIN

Spanish transport system running on empty

The Spanish government is set to close dozens of state-run rail routes and cut services on hundreds of other lines as Madrid struggles to right the country's recession-hit economy. The cuts will allow savings of over €85 million but will affect over 1.65 million passengers. Critics accuse the government of building first and thinking later during the boom years.

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