Corsica, the murder capital of Europe

Barely a month after the assassination of Corsican lawyer Antoine Sollacaro, the president of one of the island's Chambers of Commerce was shot dead on Wednesday night in Ajaccio. Jacques Nacer was well-known on the French territory and was the 17th person to be murdered since the start of the year. The deaths have been blamed on local mafia organisations, who are warring over money.

FOCUS

By Kate WILLIAMS

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.

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