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

INFLUENZA A(H1N1)

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?

08/09/2009 - THAILAND

Insurgency in the troubled south

On Thailand's southern border with Malaysia, near to the country's paradise holiday resorts, a dangerous and little-known conflict is pitting the army against a unique and highly secretive insurgency, threatening to turn into secretarian violence.

ISRAEL

Israel approves construction of more settlements

Defying demands by the US and the European Union for a freeze on settlement building, Israel has officially approved the construction of more than 455 new housing units in the occupied West Bank.

07/09/2009 - DEFENCE

French military deals with Brazil

The warming of ties between Brazilian leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and French President Nicolas Sarkozy, in Brazil for the country's independence day, could mean France securing a lucrative contract to supply Brazil with 36 modern fighter jets.

AFGHANISTAN

A questionable new strategy?

After a serious blunder from NATO on Friday that saw civilians killed, the question of local support for the Western coalition in Afghanistan seems more tricky than ever, since the US considers this support central to its new strategy.