POLITICS-BRITAIN: More Terrorised than Terrorists

A year since September 11 last year has seen the introduction of dramatic laws to deal with terrorism. But the new laws have been declared illegal by a court, and the British government is now struggling to keep the law in place.

POLITICS-ROMANIA: Headed for Europe Before Time

Tanase Lazar decided to head for France from his small town in southern Romania after visa rules were relaxed in January this year.

POLITICS-FRANCE: The Day that Legitimised Racism

The attacks of September 11 opened new hostility towards the Arab population in France. The attacks seemed to legitimise racism, and led to a repressive policy against Muslims and other immigrants.

SPAIN: Barenboim, Said Awarded Prince of Asturias Prize

Israeli conductor and pianist Daniel Barenboim and Palestinian writer Edward Said were chosen Wednesday to share Spain's Prince of Asturias Concord Prize for their work in favour of "coexistence and peace."

ENVIRONMENT-YUGOSLAVIA: A Nuclear Dream Ends

The night was buzzing with questions as about 1,200 soldiers escorted a column of trucks to Belgrade airport last week under cover of dozens of helicopters.

RELIGION-RUSSIA: Tension Rises Over New Faiths

Religious affiliations are being kept out of the next census in Russia in the face of growing tension between the traditional church and newer denominations.

RIGHTS-FRANCE: Refugees Who Cannot Stay, Cannot Go

Yusuf Aksoy lies thin and exhausted on his makeshift bed at the Notre Dame de la Victoire church in Saint Raphael village in southern France. He has not eaten since July 18.

DEVELOPMENT-PORTUGAL: Artificial Lake a Cauldron of Debate

An immense artificial lake in Portugal that is gradually flooding the most arid region of the entire European Union (EU) has environmentalists, defenders of cultural heritage and tourism operators making last-ditch efforts to halt the creation of the giant reservoir.

POLITICS-YUGOSLAVIA: Croatia’s Involvement in War Crimes Questioned

The recent discovery in the Western Lika region of Croatia of a mass grave containing 18 bodies is a gruesome reminder of the war crimes of the 90s which took the lives of some 320,000 people.

HEALTH-FRANCE: Nuclear Victims Demand Medical Review

About 1200 former staff engaged in French nuclear testing have demanded new investigation of their medical records in the face of high reported incidence of cancer.

POLITICS-SPAIN: Legal Moves to Ban Basque Party’s Operations

Spain's investigative judge Baltasar Garzón ordered a halt to activities of the Batasuna party, considered the political arm of the illegal separatist organisation ETA, while Parliament's lower house, voted overwhelmingly to begin Supreme Court proceedings to make the party illegal.

WSSD-FRANCE: Making a Global Push for Privatisation

France will push for privatisation in international partnerships at the World Summit on Sustainable Development that begins in Johannesburg Monday.

HEALTH-YUGOSLAVIA: Mental Patients In Kosovo Face Gross Neglect, Says Report

Patients in United Nations run mental health facilities in Kosovo are being subjected to violence, rape and gross neglect, a two-year investigation has found.

WSSD-RUSSIA: NGOs Challenge Tall Claims

The Russian government is preparing to paint an upbeat picture of the country's contribution to sustainable development at the world summit in Johannesburg. But non-governmental organisations say the official position lack coherence, and are urging the government to rethink its development priorities.

RIGHTS-BRITAIN: Child Trafficking on the Rise

Stella was 15 when she fled Nigeria to escape members of a voodoo cult threatening to kill her. A family 'friend' brought her to London, only to tell her she was now expected to become a prostitute.

RIGHTS-FRANCE: Prison Sentencing for Children Challenged

The amendment of law to allow prison sentences for children above 13 years is being challenged strongly by rights groups.

POLITICS-YUGOSLAVIA: Serbia’s Gun Culture Creates An Unstable Society

It was only after a war veteran killed seven members of his family last month that the Serbian authorities and broader public began to worry about the large caches of weapons that remain unaccounted for following three wars.

TRADE-RUSSIA: Disputes Arise with Ukraine

A series of moves in recent days have failed to resolve growing trade disputes between Russia and Ukraine, the two biggest ex-Soviet states.

HEALTH-FRANCE: Asbestos Kills a Thousand a Year

About a thousand people die every year in France of lung cancer and other diseases caused by asbestos, a leading health institution says.

POLITICS-YUGOSLVIA: Suicide ‘Epidemic’ Sweeps Serbia

Suicides have hit alarming levels in Serbia this year. Experts are calling it an unprecedented crisis in Serb society.

REFUGEES-FRANCE: Out of Sight, But Still Around

The discovery of 36 Kurdish refugees in an empty factory in northern France has confirmed fears that refugees will not disappear simply because the Sangatte camp is set to close next year.