MOLDOVA: Media Struggles for Independence

Opposition members and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are accusing Moldova's communist cabinet of interfering with the work of journalists who are critical of the government.

ROMANIA: Finding Energy to Rescue EU

With the European Union becoming ever more uncomfortable over its energy dependency on Russia, Romania, which joined the bloc along with Bulgaria Jan. 1, is paving the way for a pipeline project considered crucial for Europe's energy safety.

HEALTH-RUSSIA: Activists Lash Out at HIV Drug Replacement

Health NGOs and experts are accusing Russia's health and social development ministry of endangering the lives of tens of thousands of infected Russians by altering the list of anti-retroviral drugs the government plans to buy this year.

CZECH REPUBLIC: Political ‘Anarchy’ Comes to an End

It took nearly eight months for the Czechs to come out with a government, and once they did the media has baptized it as "a political farce" and a "freak show".

MIGRATION: Six Million Begin to Get Rights in Russia

Authorities have started granting work permits to some six million illegal immigrants from the ex-Soviet republics that have visa-free travel agreements with Russia. But the workers would be banned from working in certain areas.

SLOVAKIA: Right-Wing Opposition Fears Socialist Foreign Policy

The possibility of an official trip by charismatic Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico to Venezuela, China and Libya is causing uproar in the media and opposition, who insist Slovakia should stick to its Euro-Atlantic orientation and rid itself of socialist nostalgia.

RIGHTS: Where Russia Is Not European

A leading human rights lawyer has accused the Kremlin of obstructing the work of the European Court of Human Rights.

BALKANS: Sentences Bring the Spotlight on Islamists

The sentencing of three young Muslims to a total of 40 years in prison has raised new concern over the spread of militant Islam in the Balkans.

SERBIA: Nationalists Lead, But Reformists May Govern

The Sunday elections in Serbia put the ultranationalist Serbian Radical Party (SRS) in the lead with more than 28 percent of the vote. But some analysts say nationalism has not necessarily prevailed, because the remaining voters cast their ballots in favour of pro-democracy and reform-oriented parties.

ITALY: Protests Rise Against U.S. Base

The old airport Dal Molin is about the only green area left in the densely populated industrial district of Vicenza in Northern Italy. Soon the 450,000 square-metre area will be converted into a U.S. Army base.

RIGHTS: Death Penalty Better, Say Some, Than Slow Execution

Twenty-five years after abolition of the death penalty in France, some of its beneficiaries say they would rather face execution.

ENVIRONMENT: Swiss Glaciers Melting Rapidly

Receding Alpine glaciers are appearing a sure telltale of global warming. In Switzerland, 84 out of 85 glaciers under observation became shorter in 2006.

BALKANS: Elections to Point to Serbia’s Future

Serbia goes to the polls Sunday with deeply divided feelings over what the leaders offer and which way the country should go.

RUSSIA: Religious Groups Fight to Keep Accounts Secret

Leaders of religious groups are contesting government requirements for declaration of their funds such as those collected during church services.

ICELAND: Dam Proves Fatal for Workers

The Karahnjukar dam project in the highlands of East Iceland is becoming a dangerous place to work. Since construction began in 2003, there have been four fatal accidents at the site.

CZECH REPUBLIC: Shaky Alliance Hopes to Govern

With the Czech Republic well into its seven month without a government, caretaker Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek will seek parliamentary approval of his new cabinet this Friday. Yet his many enemies - the opposition, the President and even members of his own party - might prevent him from succeeding.

SLOVAKIA: Govt Meddling with Public Media

The Slovak government headed by social democrat Robert Fico is said to be pressuring the country's public media to take more pro-governmental stances.

DEVELOPMENT: Global Tourism Swallowing Prague

Czechoslovakia's four decades of communism relegated Prague to a secondary role on the great tourist circuits. But the "return to Europe", as many Czechs call the advent of liberal democracy, globalisation, and with it tourism, has ended Prague's days of quiet.

SERBIA: Still a Weak ‘Economic Tiger’

The big claims about the economic progress of Serbia at the start of the New Year came as no surprise. But the doubts about some of these claims should cause no surprise either.

SPAIN: ETA Claims Bombing, But Says Ceasefire Still Stands

The Basque separatist group ETA said Tuesday that a "permanent ceasefire" was still standing, even though it claimed responsibility for a recent explosion in the Madrid airport.

RUSSIA: Privatisation to Preserve the Past

Russian authorities are considering a proposal for privatisation of monuments so they could be preserved better to attract tourists.