EUROPEAN SOCIAL FORUM: NGOs Face a Constitutional Test

The European constitution emerged as a less emotive but more immediate issue than Iraq during the three-day European Social Forum that concluded in London last weekend.

DEVELOPMENT-EU: Action Urged Over Gender Equality

The European Union must step up its efforts to ensure that "gender mainstreaming" is central to its development agenda, leading development groups are urging.

EUROPEAN SOCIAL FORUM: Another World, But How?

Under as brave a banner as ''Another world is possible'', the third European Social Forum that concluded in London Sunday was always open to the question-but just how?

EUROPEAN SOCIAL FORUM: Public Service form Cradle to Grave

"We still believe in the welfare state. The challenge for us here today is to defend and promote public services," Dave Prentis from the British union UNISON said at a meeting on public services and the welfare state at the European Social Forum.

EUROPEAN SOCIAL FORUM: Civil Society Shot Finds a Mark

Several civil society groups have come together at the European Social Forum to support a review of British development aid.

EUROPEAN SOCIAL FORUM: Fighting ‘Cyberlords’

An information rights activist has warned against the growing power of the "landlords" of cyberspace.

EUROPEAN SOCIAL FORUM: Faultline Becomes a Frontline

The meeting on 'The Faultline in British Politics' at the opening of the European Social Forum in London Friday came to resemble at least a little the frontline in Iraq. Civil society seemed at civil war.

ECONOMY-SERBIA: ‘Patriotic Capitalism’ Damaging Road to EU

Serbia and Montenegro are back in consideration for EU membership but growing local resistance to foreign capital could be in the way.

POLITICS-EU: Parliament Presents a Historic Challenge

The European Parliament and the European Commission are locked in unprecedented confrontation over the next EU executive team.

REFUGEES-EU: Divisions Deepen over Distant Camps

Proposals to build centres for asylum-seekers outside the EU will be back on the table at the next European summit in Brussels Nov. 5.

EUROPEAN SOCIAL FORUM: A Weekend for Another World

London is preparing to host the third European Social Forum (ESF) after meetings in Florence in 2002 and Paris in 2003.

ENVIRONMENT-SPAIN: Record Seizure of Wood from Endangered Tropical Species

The seizure of 33 tons of wood from a highly endangered species of tree from Brazil and the arrest of six individuals implicated in the illegal imports to Spain was hailed by environmental activists here Wednesday.

EUROPEAN SOCIAL FORUM: Together Under an Iraqi Shadow

'People Power' had become another of those slogans until the rallies Feb. 15 last year against the imminent invasion of Iraq. Those rallies were not only the biggest Europe has ever seen, but everything since then proves that people were marching on the right path.

/ARTS WEEKLY/LITERATURE-GERMANY: Politics Hangs over Books Festival

The 4th International Literary Festival ended in Berlin at the weekend (Oct 2). For 12 days,150 writers and poets from 46 countries participated in more than 350 book readings, poetry recitals and literary debates staged in a variety of different venues, including theatres, cafes, schools, libraries, cemeteries and city prisons.

POLITICS-BALKANS: Reconciliation Waits for ‘Truth’

Ten years after the wars in the Balkans left a quarter of a million dead, reconciliation moves are still waiting for the 'truth' to come out first.

DEVELOPMENT: EU Needs to Be Sold the Idea

EU development commissioner designate Louis Michel has promised to "sell the idea of development" across Europe.

SPAIN: Leaders Predict ETA’s Demise, Group Is ‘on Its Way to Hell’

The Basque separatist group ETA in Spain is on the verge of disappearing, according to political and social leaders in Spain who commented on the arrests of the organisation's top leaders in France.

DEVELOPMENT: EU Policy Disappearing, Groups Say

Development groups say EU proposals to simplify external assistance will "herald the end of an identifiable development policy."

POLITICS-BALKANS: Croat Minister Makes a 22,000-Year-old Case

A dubious joint venture between science and politics has resumed with new claims that Croats are the oldest people in the Balkans.

SPAIN: Moving into the Vanguard on Homosexual Rights

Spain will join the ranks of the first countries in the world to grant homosexual couples the same legal rights as heterosexuals if a new bill approved by the Spanish cabinet Friday is passed by parliament.

POLITICS: Arms Slipping Through EU Loopholes

Loopholes in EU arms controls are allowing weapons exports to countries that abuse human rights, a coalition of independent groups says.