ECONOMY: Unstable Oil Price Threatens Russia’s Growth

Unstable oil price is threatening Russia's economic growth, warns a top government official.

POLITICS-RUSSIA: The Kremlin Opens a Dialogue with NGOs

The Kremlin has for the first time opened its doors to members of non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

RIGHTS-SPAIN: NGOs Rebel Against Immigration Policy

A majority of Spain's non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are opposed to the immigration policy of the centre-right government of José María Aznar, and have joined together in plans to create an "Alternative Forum" to mobilise public opinion against the tightening of controls on immigration.

RIGHTS-SLOVAKIA: Dispute over Sterilization of Roma Women

Leaders of the Roma community in Slovakia are fighting the government and also one another following a controversial report on forced sterilizations.

FINANCE: Rich Countries Seen Owing ‘Ecological Debt’ to Poor Ones

If wealthy nations only realised how much "ecological debt" they owe poor ones, they would drop their financial claims against the debtor countries of the developing world, say anti-debt and environmental campaigners.

POLITICS: Russia Moldova Sign a Major Bilateral Treaty

Russia and Moldova have signed a major bilateral treaty, but official pledges of further economic and political integration of the two former Soviet republics have yet to materialise.

SPAIN-BRITAIN: A Step Closer to Agreement on Gibraltar

Spain took a giant step towards regaining sovereignty over Gibraltar at a meeting in Barcelona Tuesday between the two countries' foreign ministers, who said they hoped to conclude a "global agreement" by mid-2002.

POLITICS: Moderate Wins Kosovo Polls Independence Still Far Away

Ethnic Albanians voted overwhelmingly for Ibrahim Rugova, moderate leader of the Democratic Alliance of Kosovo (DSK) in the province's first elections held on Saturday, but independence from Serbia, analysts have warned, is still a distant dream.

POLITICS-GERMANY: Narrow Win on Troops Deployment Overseas

In a knife-edge vote, Chancellor Gerhard Schroder on Friday narrowly won a confidence vote in the German parliament (Bundestag) linked to his decision to send German troops into combat in Afghanistan.

RELIGION-BRITAIN: Islamic Awareness Week Triggers Divisions

A drive to raise a positive awareness of Islam across Britain could well have brought more divisions than understanding of Islam.

POLITICS: U.S. Policy towards Taliban Influenced by Oil – authors

Under the influence of U.S. oil companies, the government of George W. Bush initially blocked U.S. secret service investigations on terrorism, while it bargained with the Taliban the delivery of Osama bin Laden in exchange for political recognition and economic aid, two French intelligence analysts claim.

POLITICS: Kosovo Holds its First Elections Under UN Rule

More than one million registered voters go to the polls in the UN-administered Serbian province of Kosovo on Nov 17.

DISARMAMENT-SPAIN: Broad Support for Controls of Arms Exports

All of the parties represented in the Spanish parliament agree with the need to regulate sales and exports of weapons, while the local branches of four leading non- governmental organisations (NGOs) have launched a campaign to that end.

DEVELOPMENT: EU to Resume Humanitarian Aid to Afghanistan

The capture of the Afghan capital, Kabul, this week by Northern Alliance fighters, has raised EU's hopes to resume humanitarian aid to Afghanistan.

POLITICS: Govt seeks to Open up Germany’s Immigration

In a strong signal that the government is committed to opening up to controlled immigration despite fears in the wake of the Sep 11 attacks on New York and Washington by Muslim extremists, the German government is pressing ahead with its controversial immigration bill.

ECONOMY-SERBIA: New Tax Law Closes in on Milosevic’s Supporters

A new tax law, which came into force this month, is closing in on some 30 companies who owe the government more than 150 million U.S. dollars in unpaid taxes.

DEVELOPMENT: EU States Agree Calendar for Aid Targets

Top European Union (EU) development officials agreed Thursday to adopt a 'common calendar' for the bloc's members to make good on international promises to raise official development assistance (ODA) to 0.7 percent of gross national product.

DEVELOPMENT: Study Pleads for Considering Security Implications of Water

More than one billion people lack access to safe water supplies.

TRADE-RUSSIA: Govt Woos Foreign Investors

Russia, with a stable energy supply, has embarked on a campaign to woo foreign investors.

ENVIRONMENT: France Tightens Security around Nuclear Facilities

Fear that some 56 French nuclear power stations could be targeted for attacks, similar to those perpetrated against the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon, has prompted the government to tighten security around the country's most dangerous facilities.

POLITICS: Germany Accepts U.S. Request for Greater Military Role

In a major shift in the way it conducts foreign policy, Germany has abandoned its post-war ambivalence towards sending troops into combat overseas and this week responded positively to specific U.S. requests for military support in Afghanistan.