SPECIAL REPORTS

Last modification: 11/08/12

London 2012 Olympics

The long wait for the 2012 London Olympic Games is over. From July 27 to August 12 thousands of athletes from all over the world will go head to head in their quest to win gold. In all, over 203 countries will be represented in 36 different sporting events from archery to athletics and weightlifting, with a total of 302 gold medals up for grabs. Follow all the action with FRANCE 24’s special Olympics coverage.
Last modification: 10/08/12 - SYRIA

Civil war in Syria

More than a year into an uprising against President Bashar al-Assad, the brutal violence in Syria shows no sign of abating. The Assad regime and opposition rebels blame each other for the thousands of fatalities. The tension also now seems to have spilled over into neighboring Lebanon, where street clashes have erupted between pro- and anti-Damascus gunmen. With Russia and China ready to veto any UN resolution that calls for stricter sanctions on the regime, the international community remains divided on how to resolve the crisis.
Last modification: 18/07/12 - SPECIAL REPORT

The long road to Libyan democracy

After 40 years of living under autocratic rule, Libyans flocked to the polls on July 7 to elect a constituent assembly that will set the blueprint for democracy in the country. While living conditions have improved for many, Libyans continue to face instability as the political class in Tripoli faces oppositions from regional power groups.
Last modification: 10/07/12 - DOSSIER EGYPT PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

Egypt's rocky road to democracy

More than a year after the fall of Hosni Mubarak, and just days after judges dismissed Egypt’s first democratically-elected parliament, a bitterly divided country headed to the polls on June 16-17 to elect a new president. The winner, Muslim Brotherhood candidate Mohammed Morsi, now faces the daunting task of negotiating Egypt's rocky transition to democracy.
Last modification: 19/06/12

France: The left back in power

François Hollande’s victory on May 6, 2012 marks the return of the French left to power, 17 years after François Mitterrand’s historic win in 1981. Hollande, who beat incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy by 51.6% of the vote to 48.4%, came to power on a promise to tax the super rich, promote growth instead of austerity and create thousands of jobs in education. In a first symbolic gesture, the newly-named government led by Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault voted to cut ministers’ salary by 30%.
Last modification: 15/06/12 - SPECIAL REPORT

Mali: a country divided

Mali is a country in turmoil. A military coup d'état on March 22, 2012 removed President Amadou Toumani Touré from power, and in the ensuing chaos rebels in the north, dominated by Tuareg tribesmen, took control of the country's three main northern cities. The West African country has been effectively divided in two.
Last modification: 06/06/12 - US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION 2012

Republicans pick Romney to face off against Obama

After a primary season marked by colourful debates and increasingly bitter attacks, Mitt Romney has secured the Republican presidential nomination. The former Massachusetts governor - praised by supporters for his business acumen and criticised by detractors for lacking consistency and charisma - will face off against incumbent President Barack Obama in the general election on November 6. Below, look back on our coverage of the Republican nominating contest that finally saw Romney pull ahead of the pack.
Last modification: 30/03/12 - SPECIAL REPORT

The Strauss-Kahn case

Dominique Strauss-Kahn, a prominent member of France’s Socialist Party, was arrested in New York on May 15, accused of sexually assaulting a hotel maid. The charges forced Strauss-Kahn to resign from his post as head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and ruined his chances of running in France's 2012 presidential election. The criminal case against him unravelled in July after prosecutors acknowledged there were serious questions about his accuser's credibility, after which all criminal charges were dropped.
Last modification: 26/03/12 - PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION 2012

Senegal: Wade era draws to an end

Senegal's President Abdoulaye Wade has conceded defeat to his former protégé, Macky Sall, putting an end to his 12-year rule and buttressing the country's credentials as a model of African democracy.
Last modification: 14/03/12 - FRANCE 2012

France 2012: en route to the presidency

France heads to the polls this spring for the country’s most important election in five years. Campaign season does not officially start until April 9, but at least a dozen presidential hopefuls are already jostling for position in the imminent race to the Elysée Presidential Palace. FRANCE 24 takes an in-depth look at the players and power plays that will make 2012 a year to remember.
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