A Greek Tragedy

The Greek financial drama continues to blaze. Now, an internal parliamentary watchdog has called the country's deficit "out of control". The comments have angered Greece's financial minister who's already under pressure after a visit from EU and IMF auditors. We take a closer look at this latest twist to the ongoing Greek tragedy.

FOCUS

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.

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.

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I have just moved to Paris

by Anonyme - 12/09/2011 - 14:41

I have just moved to Paris from Greece and find myself receiving three times the wage here for doing the same job as I was in Athens. The situation in Greece is dangerous and unsustainable. I am pleased to see France24 covering the situation so thoroughly and talking to the man on the street rather than just the same old politicians.

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IMF Staff Paper

by Anonyme - 11/09/2011 - 17:11

Apparently an IMF staff paper was released which showed that the extent of European bank capital shortfall is far greater than previously acknowledged. This previously unknown information is under review by the chief of the IMF and may not be made public in an officilally released report later this month. Coupled with the financial troubles currently rattling Greece, markets may respond negatively if this information is openly acknowledged.