SPECIAL REPORTS

Last modification: 04/02/13 - SPECIAL REPORT

France at war in Mali

Once held as a model of democracy, Mali was thrown into turmoil after a March 2012 military coup in the south brought down the democratically-elected government. The power vacuum allowed Tuareg rebels allied with Islamist militants to seize the northern half of the country – a vast desert region roughly the size of France. After months of an uneasy power-sharing arrangement, the Tuaregs' political movement was pushed out and the north fell under Islamist control.
Last modification: 29/01/13 - SYRIA

Civil war in Syria

Twenty months into an uprising against President Bashar al-Assad, the brutal violence in Syria shows no sign of abating. The UN estimates that more than 60,000 people have been killed in vicious fighting between Assad loyalists and rebel forces, who now control roughly half of the country as well as most border posts. Tens of thousands of Syrians displaced by the fighting have sought refuge along the country's borders, including some 100,000 in Turkey alone.
Last modification: 11/11/12 - SPECIAL REPORT

US Presidential Election 2012

Democratic President Barack Obama has defeated Republican challenger Mitt Romney to secure a second term at the White House, wrapping up a closely-fought presidential contest. Despite lingering dissatisfaction over the slow pace of economic recovery, the incumbent president won most key swing states, including the “bellwether” state of Ohio, while his Democratic Party also kept its narrow lead in the Senate. But with Republicans still in control of the House of Representatives, Obama is set to face familiar difficulties in pushing through his liberal agenda over the next four years.
Last modification: 07/11/12 - US ELECTION 2012

On the Road Through America’s Swing States

There may be 50 states in America, but the outcome of the 2012 US presidential election rested largely on a mere handful of them: the ever-coveted “swing states”, in which neither Democrats nor Republicans have a reliable hold on the electorate. France 24’s special correspondents travelled through two of the most prominent battlegrounds, Florida and Virginia, to meet the voters who would determine the outcome of a nail-biting election.
Last modification: 12/08/12

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: 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.
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