SPAIN: Last Bastion of Franco-Era Politicians Toppled

Galicians living outside of Spain gave the final nudge needed to topple the last bastion of Franco-era politicians in the country, by giving a majority vote to the socialists.

EUROPE: Amnesty Urges Britain to Act on Rights

The British presidency of the European Union should push for a strong human rights agenda to help the bloc overcome its political and institutional crisis, Amnesty International is urging.

SOCIETY-BALKANS: Belgrade Roulette Takes Its Toll

The deadly game of 'Belgrade roulette' played by the young, rich and bored is back on the streets after a gap of some years.

DEVELOPMENT: New Government May Bring Few Changes

Development policies are likely to remain unchanged after Germans vote in a new government in September, observers say.

HEALTH-RUSSIA: ‘Life Is Wonderful, When Protected’

The message is sharp, slick, and not scary. It sounds like the language Russian authorities need in order to save the country from an AIDS epidemic.

RIGHTS: Try Not To Be a Child in Britain

Britain is about the worst place to be a child in Europe, it emerged from a report on the rights of children across Europe.

POLITICS-EU: Leaders Face Tough Questions Over Future

European leaders face one of the bloc's greatest challenges later this week when they meet to thrash out the future of the bloc during a crucial EU summit.

PORTUGAL: New Campaign Debunks Immigration Myths

"Thank you, Vassily. Immigrant Portugal, Tolerant Portugal." "We are grateful, and so are they." These slogans, accompanied by a picture of a Ukrainian worker, are part of a campaign launched in Portugal to debunk the myth that the arrival of foreigners has a negative impact on the country.

RIGHTS-BALKANS: Killing Video Leads to a National Rethink

Serbia has been rocked by a chilling video clip showing the execution of six Muslim boys and men by Serb paramilitaries near the Bosnian town of Srebrenica ten years ago.

RUSSIA: Progress Could Be Under Arrest

The sentencing of Russia's richest oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky to nine years in prison could cause the country immeasurable harm and change its economic and political landscape, human rights activists and political analysts say.

POLITICS: Balkans Shaken by the ‘No’s’

Leaders in the Balkans have tried to play down the significance of the French and Dutch 'no' to the draft European Union (EU) constitution, but their fears have shown through.

DEVELOPMENT: Church Leaders Push EU

Church leaders from the developing world pressed the European Union to commit to action in the fight against poverty when they met José Manuel Barroso, president of the European Commission Monday.

POLITICS: EU Future Uncertain After French ‘Non’

The future of the European Union seemed unclear Monday as Europe woke up to the news that France had voted overwhelmingly against the bloc's new constitution, and forecasts suggested the Netherlands will do the same later this week.

FRANCE: Triumph of People Becomes Crisis for Govt

The clear French vote against the European constitution has precipitated a grave political crisis for France and for the European Union, with no easy solution in sight.

POLITICS-EUROPE: French Preparing to Say No

All opinions polls suggest that the majority of French citizens will vote against the European constitution in the referendum May 29.

RIGHTS: Czech NGOs Hit Back at President

Former communist dissidents in the Czech Republic have attacked President Vaclav Klaus over comments he made to the Council of Europe suggesting that NGOs could be "risky" and "dangerous".

DEVELOPMENT: European Bank Turns Towards Balkans

The annual two-day meeting of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) ended Monday in Belgrade with the attention of this financing institution shifting towards the Balkans nations that suffered wars and international isolation in the recent past.

DEVELOPMENT: EU Faces the Aid Test

As European Union development ministers prepare to meet Tuesday in a bid to boost the level of development aid, civil society groups are warning that some of the bloc's wealthiest member states may undermine an agreement.

HEALTH-BALKANS: Roma Forced to Face Lead Poisoning

Jenita Mehmeti, aged four, died last summer in the refugee camp of Zitkovci in Kosovo. She was the second child among 60 born there since 1999 to die of suspected lead poisoning.

MEDIA-BALKANS: Uproar over Mystery Note

A recently circulated note attacking media in tiny Montenegro that are seen as opposed to independence has set off an unprecedented public debate.

BELARUS: NGOs Deny Plot to Overthrow Govt

Slovak NGOs have dismissed claims by the Russian secret service that they and other international groups have met to prepare the ground for a revolution in Belarus.