British right torn over gay marriage

In the UK, Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron has promised a vote in Parliament over legalising gay marriage. The idea is supported by a majority of British politicians. Yet Cameron risks being ostracised by members of his own party, with many Conservative MPs and voters firmly against the reform.

FOCUS

By Alix BAYLE / Yong CHIM

13/01/2010 - AUSTRALIA-JAPAN

The Whale Dispute

A collision between an anti-whaling speed boat and a security ship that's protecting a Japanese whaling fleet has added fresh fuel to a long-running debate. It's brought the spotlight onto the practices of both the whalers as well as some of their worst critics, a group called 'Sea Shepherd'. It's also unleashed a diplomatic row between Japan, Australia and New Zealand.

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12/01/2010 - Italy: Calabria unrest

Racism, the Mafia or both?

What is behind the violent clashes between locals and migrant workers which shook a town in Calabria? 50 people were injured in the riots, extra police were drafted in and more than a thousand African immigrants were subsequently evacuated... Now some commentators have called it "ethnic cleansing" others say the unrest wasn't only rooted in xenophobia but also linked to the Mafia...

12/01/2010 - Africa Cup of Nations

When security overshadows sports

The Africa Cup of Nations was supposed to be a football feast that marked Angola's arrival onto the international sporting stage. But a bloody attack on the Togolese national team has put a dampener on those ambitions, and the focus has shifted to security. Angola has pledged to step up security, but will it be enough? Can the Africa Cup of Nations become the football jamboree it was meant to be?

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11/01/2010 - FOCUS: AUTO INDUSTRY

On the road to recovery?

This year's Detroit Auto Show is being seen as a key test for the US auto industry. Car-makers are finally looking forward to a recovery amid a new sense of optimism. While General Motors' boss is hopeful that the company will see profits this year, one question remains: what will the new slimmed down version of GM look like?

11/01/2010 - South Africa

Paying for Apartheid

FOCUS takes a closer look at a law suit that's been brought against several companies for their alleged collaboration with the apartheid regime in South Africa. The case is playing out in a court room in the United States. Along with Ford, IBM and Daimler, the defendants also include General Motors, Japan's Fujitsu, and the German defense company Rheinmetall.

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