Iranians seek a new life in old ally Georgia

With economic sanctions biting, life for ordinary people in Iran is increasingly difficult. Inflation is rampant and some products are getting hard to find. The threat of a military strike from Israel is also making some Iranians nervous. As a result, many are leaving the country. Last year 90,000 Iranians came to Georgia, 50 percent more than the year before. According to the Georgian government, there were typically around 500 Iranians residency requests per month in 2012.

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By Damien McGuinness / Markus Meyer / Regis GENTE

23/05/2013 - NIGER

Islamists attack French ally Niger

Members of the Islamist movement Mujao have claimed responsibility for the double car bombing in Niger on Thursday morning. The group had declared on the internet back in February that it would retaliate against those who had sent troops into Mali in the French-led military intervention earlier this year. The bombs went off at a Nigerian Army barracks and a French-owned uranium mine, a reminder that France is heavily reliant on African countries such as Niger to create nuclear energy back home.

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.

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.

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.

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.