Downsizing the US military

In a bid to decrease US debt, President Obama is planning to cut military spending. With the Iraq war over, and a pull out date set for all combat troops in Afghanistan, the troop drawdown comes as military expenditure has reached a breaking point. However, some disagree with the proposal. Our Washington correspondents Philip Crowther and Stanislas de Saint Hippolyte report.

FOCUS

By Philip CROWTHER / Stanislas DE SAINT HIPPOLYTE

01/10/2009 - FRANCE

String of suicides at France Telecom sparks call for action

On Friday, a 32-year-old woman became the 23rd France Telecom employee to commit suicide in the last 18 months. As her death sends shockwaves throughout the country, we ask what is so terribly wrong at France's main telephone operator.

FINANCIAL CRISIS

Lehman bank collapse: one year on

On September 15, 2008, Lehman Brothers went bankrupt, victims of the subprime crisis and excessive risk-taking. Exactly one year after the scandal, former employees reflect on the fall and its consequences.

11/09/2009 - SPAIN

Abortion debate splits country in two

As Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Zapatero presses ahead with plans to make abortion legal in Spain, the stage is set for another showdown between reformists and a conservative camp fired up by the Catholic Church.

10/09/2009 - FRANCE

Sarkozy makes case for carbon tax

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has unveiled plans to levy a carbon tax on consumption of oil, gas and coal, set at 17 euros per tonne of CO2 emitted. But his call for urgent action to tackle global warming is yet to win over a sceptical public.

10/09/2009 - VENEZUELA

Chavez, a unique and controversial figure

Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez is nothing if not a controversial figure. Having just completed a world tour meeting allies of Venezuela, Chavez continues to stir up opposition at home and in the US, though popularity polls give him 57 percent.

(1) comment