With Italians forced to tighten their belts, the previously untouchable Catholic Church's finances face further scrutiny as a report by Moneyval exposes multiple failures in transparency at the Vatican bank. "Something like 55% of our salary goes to taxes. Really, from January 1 to July 15 we work for the state. Very nice!", the Peruzzis tell us. Not far from the Peruzzis, effervescent barista and cafe owner Francesco plays the tax system a little more loosely. "Often when you know a client really well, you don't print a receipt. This way you avoid paying tax. Sometimes you just have to try and work the system to get ahead." Both Francesco and the Peruzzis live and work in a city dominated by the architecture, iconography and sheer presence of the Catholic Church, and as they struggle to pay their bills and get by, they've grown increasingly uncomfortable about the tax breaks and special privileges enjoyed by the Vatican. "I think everybody small or big must make a sacrifice." But that's something the Church doesn't seem to feel it needs to do and while the government is talking tough, many suspect nothing will change. "The result will be another Italian sweet deal, as always." ABC Australia
(Ref: 5499)
Germany - Power Play
- 13' min 47'' sec [30 April 2012]
Germany's green revolution stifled by subsidy cuts
In villages across Germany the people have seized power by generating enough renewable energy to supply their needs. But with the government cutting subsidies to small producers will this green revolution run out of steam?
Following the Chernobyl disaster a community around Schönau in the Black Forest decided to buy their local plant and turn it into a co-operative. Now the villagers power themselves with solar or wind energy and then sell the excess to the national grid. "We started because we wanted to help, but then it became ecoomically interesting for all those who invested." After the Fukishima incident, President Merkel pledged to close the country's nuclear reactors and naturally, this boosted interest in the Schönau scheme. However, the government recently announced a 30% reduction in subsidies to small energy producers, stifling similar green communities across the country. "The phasing out of nuclear energy cannot be achieved without subsidising renewable energy”. As anger amongst environmental activists swells, has the influence of large energy companies again infected national politics?
SBS
(Ref: 5500)
France - The Marseilles Motif
- 27' min 45'' sec [30 April 2012]
The beautiful port city of Marseilles was once a symbol of multiculturalism in France. Now plagued by gangs and crime, it has become central to the heated election debates around immigration and security.
Generations of immigrants have helped to shape the character of Marseilles and a third of the population are Muslim. But recently an explosion in violent crime has torn apart this melting pot, exacerbated by the recent killings in Toulouse by Islamist, Mohammed Merah, and Sarkozy's controversial anti-halal campaign. "An election doesn't justify being demagogic. It is dividing France, playing people off against each other." In the midst of an ongoing economic crisis and with the election only a week away, many remain sceptical about France's unity and the future prospects of its people. "We need real solutions to the problems here", says Nassurdine Haidari, one of Marseilles' vice mayors.
ORF
(Ref: 5501)
Egypt - Frontrunners for President
- 12' min 02'' sec [30 April 2012]
As the Egyptian presidential elections loom, two candidates are moving well ahead in the polls. Progressive Islamist Dr. Abel Fotoh and former regime man Amr Moussa are now leading an increasingly close race.
Dr. Abel Fotoh has a broad range of support, crossing old political divisions in Egypt. One follower describes how, "Liberals support him. Islamists endorse him. Lots of political parties support him". But rival Amr Moussa has a well-funded and prominent campaign. Although for many he is a 'felool', a remnant of the old corrupt regime, his popularity is growing. As the campaign gets underway, the one thing everyone agrees on is that this election is critical to Egypt's troubled transition to democracy.
Reed Lindsay and Jihan Hafiz
(Ref: 5502)
Morocco - Seeds of Life
- 13' min 52'' sec [30 April 2012]
Moroccans have harvested the precious oil of the argan tree for centuries, bringing prosperity to the rural Berber people. But now the insatiable global demand for the oil is threatening this 'tree of life'.
The argan tree not only sustains the local people of South-West Morocco, it is also key to the local ecosystem. But its miracle oil, known as 'liquid gold', is now a must-have for Western cosmetics and the booming demand is destroying the forest. "Without that tree, the whole population will migrate to the cities to find work." With no simple solution in sight, the scramble for profit poses a bleak future for an ancient way of life.
SBS
