DEVELOPMENT: Competition Policy May Enhance Development

The international enforcement of competition among private enterprises may help reduce the power of cartels which will in turn enhance the development chances of the less industrialised countries of the world, according to experts meeting in Paris.

POLITICS-YUGOSLAVIA: Milosevic’s Trial Provokes A Mixed Reactions

The trial against former leader, Slobodan Milosevic, that opened last week before the International Criminal Tribunal for former Yugoslavia (ICTY), has invoked a mixed reaction in his homeland.

POLITICS-EUROPE: Member States Endorse Plan to Combat Illegal Migration

People who make money from trafficking human beings into the European Union (EU) could soon face hefty penalties, according to a sweeping action plan to combat illegal immigration endorsed by EU Ministers here this week.

POLITICS-CZECH REPUBLIC: ‘War of Words’

Czech Prime Minister Milos Zeman - under fire by neighbouring Austria and Germany for labelling ethnic Germans deported from the former Czechoslovakia after World War II as "traitors" and "Hitler's fifth column," lucky to have escaped the death penalty - has promised to make a symbolic "humanitarian gesture" to honour anti-fascists.

POLITICS-SLOVAKIA: NATO and EU Entry Uncertain

Slovakia's hopes for NATO and European Union admission still hang in the balance despite the largest threat to political stability for the last three and a half years seemingly fended off.

/CORRECTED/ RIGHTS-CZECH REPUBLIC: Public May Gain Full Access to Secret Files

Ordinary citizens will be allowed almost complete access to the vast archives of the StB, the former Czechoslovak secret police, under a bill expected to sail through the upper house of the Czech parliament next month.

POLITICS-CZECHOSLOVAKIA: Public May Gain Full Access to Czechoslovak Secret Police Files

Ordinary citizens will be allowed almost complete access to the vast archives of the 'StB', the former Czechoslovak secret police, under a bill expected to sail through the upper house of the Czech parliament next month.

/ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT/CULTURE-SWEDEN: For Readers, Astrid Lindgren Lives On

Astrid Lindgren, the Swedish author of children's books who died Jan. 28 aged 94, lives on in her many books and in the hearts and minds of millions around the world.

ENVIRONMENT-SERBIA: Fatal Leftovers of NATO Air Raids Go West

Toxic waste, the remains of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, NATO, air raids on the country are being transported to Germany and Switzerland for final destruction, environmentalists say.

RIGHTS-RUSSIA: Academics Want The Death Penalty Back

The Russian government faces a growing demand for restoration of the death penalty following a moratorium over the past five years.

EDUCATION-LITHUANIA: Controversial Reforms to Education

Higher education in Lithuania will go through bold new changes next year.

DEVELOPMENT-EU: European Debate On Aid Targets Heats Up

European Union, EU, member states who fail to meet United Nations aid targets will be named and shamed in a report to be released next week by the European Commission, the executive arm of the EU.

RIGHTS-RUSSIA: Russia Moves to Crack Down on Pedophiles

Russia has, in the past, been accused of doing little, if anything, to protect its younger generation from commercial sex exploitation.

RIGHTS-RUSSIA: Russia Moves to Crack Down on Pedophiles

Russia has, in the past, been accused of doing little, if anything, to protect its younger generation from commercial sex exploitation.

RIGHTS- SLOVAKIA: Police Clamp-down On Human Trafficking

Police say they have given their clearest warning yet to women-traffickers after raiding brothels across the country and charging seven people with trafficking women.

/CORRECTED REPEAT/DEVELOPMENT-SERBIA: Brain Drain Takes Toll of Half a Million Youth

Half a million young people fled Serbia during the ten-year rule of former president Slobodan Milosevic, a new study shows.

DEVELOPMENT-SERBIA: Brain Drain Takes a Toll of Half a Million Youth

Half a million young people fled Serbia during the ten-year rule of former president Slobodan Milosevic, a new study shows.

POLITICS-FRANCE: Corruption Scandals Haunt Electoral Campaign

Past scandals have returned to haunt the campaigning in the French elections due April and May.

RIGHTS-SPAIN: Gay Priest Stages Rebellion

Roman Catholic priest José Mantera has triggered an avalanche of support for "sexual freedom" in Spain's Catholic Church by coming out of the closet. While the Church hierarchy has threatened to suspend him, he has won the support of his fellow townspeople and a number of church groups.

RIGHTS-SLOVAKIA: The Rising Tide of Neo-Nazism Worries Authorities

Despite recent massive police operations against skinhead groups, neo-Nazism is a dangerous and growing problem in Slovakia, police and human rights activists say.

POLITICS-FRANCE: Government Revokes It’s Own Law On Illegal Immigrants

The Socialist-led French government has revoked its own decision to install special tribunals at the country's international airports to deal with undocumented immigrants who enter the country.