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

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.

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LEBANON

Salah Ezzedine, the Lebanese 'Madoff' ?

When a big cheque written by Salah Ezzedine, a Lebanese businessman known for his connections with Hezbollah, bounced, it prompted an investigation into a Bernard Madoff-type fraud. But in Ezzedine's hometown, people don't want to believe it.

INFLUENZA A(H1N1)

Is the swine flu threat real?

In France, where 14 people have died from the virus, dozens of schools have been closed to contain the virus since the start of the school year. However, are these preventive measures causing more alarm than needed?