/ARTS WEEKLY/BRITAIN: Old Magic Gets a New Touch

The story of Aladdin, one of the many exotic tales to be found in 'The Thousand and One Arabian Nights', and his journey from poverty to the Sultan's palace has fascinated readers for generations. Aladdin's luck in finding a magic lamp, which in turn would grant his every wish, is the stuff of legend.

POLITICS-FRANCE: Friction Builds Up with US over Libya

France is issuing veiled warnings that it could use its veto to block a formal end to sanctions imposed on Libya for backing terrorism in the 1980s.

SPAIN: Basque Country Weighs Referendum and ETA Bullets

In its battle based on a mix of secular nationalism and Marxism, the Basque terrorist group ETA has murdered nearly 1,000 people. Those who criticise ETA or refuse to pay its "revolutionary tax" face harassment, kidnap or even death.

ECONOMY-BALKANS: Tobacco Giants Make a Heavy Investment

Multinational tobacco giants Philip Morris and British American Tobacco bought two of the biggest cigarette manufacturing facilities in Serbia last week. The move is seen as better for the health of the economy than of the people.

ENVIRONMENT-FRANCE: And Now to Water Nuclear Plants

The heat wave is threatening nuclear power stations across France, and forcing authorities to take extraordinary safety measures.

/ARTS WEEKLY/GERMANY: Chinese Summer Comes to Berlin

On a blazing hot afternoon, perspiring visitors ascend the steps to Berlin's imposing Altes Museum with its Greek columns. The museum is exhibiting art works spanning some 2,000 years of Chinese history.

HEALTH-BALKANS: When AIDS Catches Them Young

Stanko is a lively boy from Belgrade, due to start his fifth grade of elementary school on Sep. 1.

HEALTH-BALKANS: When AIDS Catches Them Young

Stanko is a lively boy from Belgrade, due to start his fifth grade of elementary school on Sep. 1.

POLITICS-AZERBAIJAN: Son Takes the Presidential Path

Ilham Aliyev, son of ailing President Heidar Aliyev was named prime minister of Azerbaijan Monday. That puts him in line to succeed his father as president.

ENVIRONMENT: Hidden GM Crops Sow Fresh Dispute

The discovery of an undeclared plantation of genetically modified crops in Italy has given a new twist to the controversy over these crops.

REFUGEES-EUROPE: Call for Cannons Finds an Echo

Italy has asked for long-term measures to deal with illegal immigration after another 200 migrants landed recently on the tiny island Lampedusa.

RUSSIA-ENVIRONMENT: End of Communism Threatens Wildlife

Russian wildlife is beginning to feel the impact of the fall of communism.

ENVIRONMENT-SPAIN: ‘Prestige’ – Most Costly Marine Disaster Ever

The sinking of the oil tanker Prestige off the northwest coast of Spain last year will prove to be the most costly maritime disaster in history, according to new independent estimates.

ENVIRONMENT-FRANCE: Saharan Air Sweeps Europe

Several people have been killed, and large tracts of forest and agricultural land damaged in fires breaking out across France under a heat wave.

RIGHTS-HUNGARY: New Discrimination Not All Positive

After nearly two years of negotitations, Hungarian minorities are now likely to be given controversial new rights in Romania and Slovakia.

POLITICS-SERBIA: A Russian Non-Story Ends

Silently and without much fanfare, the last Russian convoy of peacekeepers in former Yugoslavia left last week.

HEALTH-SERBIA: The League of Obese Nations Beckons

Serbia is turning into a fat nation, with obesity-related illnesses turning into a major health problem.

RIGHTS-FRANCE: Overcrowded Prisons Feel the Heat

This summer, the overcrowded prisons of France are beginning to feel the heat as never before.

CULTURE: Ex-Soviet States Turn Away From Russian

The new republics formed after the break-up of the Soviet Union are following up their fight against Russian dominance with new resistance to the Russian language.

ARTS WEEKLY/BRITAIN: Trauma of Black Youth Comes to Stage

Black British playwright Roy Williams has often been compared with the legendary African-U.S. storyteller August Wilson.

MEDIA-SLOVAKIA: Secret Service Caught Listening In

The functioning of the Slovak Secret Service has been called into question again after it emerged that the phones at a leading daily were illegally tapped.