RIGHTS-SPAIN: Sex Workers Decry Crackdown in Madrid

Prostitutes in Madrid will bring a lawsuit against city authorities for ''perversion of the course of justice'' and ''coercion'', in opposition to a municipal campaign aimed at getting sex workers off the street in the centre of the city.

RIGHTS-EU: New Asylum Laws ‘Endanger Lives’

The head of the United Nations refugee agency, and human rights groups say lives may be at risk if the EU approves tough new asylum rules.

POLITICS-BALKANS: Now Serbs Want a Split

Serbs, who had fought to prevent the break-up of their former homeland are now seeking another split of what remains.

POLITICS-EU: Divisions Lurk Beneath Apparent Unity

While the mood in Europe appears to be one of unity and determination following the Madrid terrorist attacks, leaders recognise the challenges ahead.

POLITICS-EUROPE: Left Win is Short of a Left Turn

The landslide victory of a leftist coalition in the French regional elections Sunday duplicates the success of the Socialist Labour Party in Spain two weeks ago, but is unlikely set a political trend in Europe.

DEVELOPMENT-PORTUGAL: The Hungry Side of the EU

Nearly two decades as a member of the European Union "club of the rich" have translated into little or nothing for the two million Portuguese people living in poverty.

POLITICS-EU: War on Terror ‘Threatens Aid’

A rush of new EU proposals seek to link aid to the fight against terrorism. Inevitably, a group of leading non-governmental organisations have objected to the moves.

POLITICS-EU: Terrorism to Dominate Summit

European leaders are hoping to forge new agreements at this week's crucial European Union spring summit.

ENVIRONMENT: EU Urged to Reject GM Rice

Leading environmental groups are urging the EU to reject a new strain of genetically modified rice.

POLITICS-SERBIA: New Solutions Sought in Balkans

New solutions are being sought for Kosovo after 28 people were killed in an attack last week.

ENVIRONMENT-EUROPE: Alarm Sounds on Bee-Killing Pesticides

"Gaucho", a broad-spectrum insecticide made by the Germany-based chemical giant Bayer, was banned in France in 1999 due to its toxicity to bees and other forms of life - including humans. But its replacement, "Regent", from another German giant, BASF, is just as dangerous say beekeepers and biologists.

POLITICS: French Right Suffers Setback

The French right-wing government led by President Jacques Chirac suffered a big defeat in the first round of regional elections Sunday, confirming predictions that social conflicts could influence election outcome.

POLITICS: Europe Prepares Another Message From the Street

Tens of thousands of people across Europe are expected to take to the streets Saturday to protest the continued occupation of Iraq.

MEDIA-SPAIN: Silencing the Truth About the Attacks

A group representing reporters and editors at Spain's state-run news agency, EFE, says the agency knew about evidence pointing to involvement by Islamic terrorists in the Mar. 11 train bombings in Madrid that very morning, but kept it under wraps due to pressure from the government of Prime Minister José María Aznar.

SUSTAINABILITY: A River Becomes a Bridge

The Danube is to many 'The Blue Danube', that waltz of happy romance composed by Johann Strauss. But to people in 11 countries through which the river flows from the Black Forest in Germany down to the Black Sea, it means much more.

POLITICS-EUROPE: Spain Tilts the Power Balance

The Socialist triumph in Spain last Sunday has transformed the balance of power within Europe in favour of France and Germany, who have been pleading for a common foreign policy independent of the United States.

POLITICS-BALKANS: War Crimes Trial Opens in Serbia

Six men accused of the massacre of 192 Croatian prisoners of war back in 1991 went on trial in Belgrade last week.

DEVELOPMENT-EU: NGOs Fear Water Privatisation

Civil society groups are calling on the EU to ensure that a new initiative does not further water privatisation in developing countries.

FINANCE: EU Likely to Act Against Microsoft

A European Union ruling against the computer giant Microsoft looks likely, following an approval by the bloc's member states.

POLITICS: Fear of More Attacks Sweeps Europe

European governments have launched a new anti- terrorism campaign as evidence emerged that radical Muslims were behind the March 11 bombings in Madrid.

ENVIRONMENT: Nuclear Threat Worries Greens

Environment groups are calling on Swedish authorities to make nuclear power plants safer against terrorist attacks.