Guns rule in America

The Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, in which 20 children and six teachers were killed in cold blood, has shaken the United States to the core. The December 14th massacre has reopened the debate on gun control, in a country where owning a weapon is an inalienable right. Supporters of gun ownership now want armed policemen in schools, but our reporters met critics who say the law has to change.

REPORTERS

COLOMBIA

District 13 at the mercy of Medellin's gangs

Beset by daily settlings of scores between rival drug traffickers, Colombia's second city Medellin is a theatre of violence which hinders its attempt to project the image of a rehabilitated city.

NIGER

Tandja's referendum: people's choice or coup d'état?

President Mamadou Tandja has ruled Niger for ten years, and to make sure he stays in power, he organised and won a referendum on a new constitution that allows him to continue to run for the presidency.

GEORGIA

In Gori, the war is over but not the fear

One year after Georgia and Russia went to war over the breakaway province of South Ossetia, the wounds of the conflict are still wide open in the Georgian city of Gori – and the fear of a new outbreak of violence is palpable.

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AFGHANISTAN

Violence and scepticism loom over critical poll

Afghanistan is bracing itself for a presidential election set to take place against a backdrop of surging violence and the fear of large-scale abstention. Yet for Afghans and foreign observers alike, the electoral test could hardly be more critical.

ICELAND

Whaling stands between Iceland and the EU

In the wake of the global credit crisis, Iceland has reconsidered its position regarding the EU and is now actively pursuing membership. However, to become part of the club, the island would have to give up its whaling tradition.

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