ALBANIA: Forget Communism…or Sell It

Bunkers? Underground catacombs? Submarine bases? Albania has been shaped by one of the most bizarre communist regimes ever and the potential to exploit it for tourism is inestimable.

ENVIRONMENT-SPAIN: Offshore Wind Power for Earthly Benefits

A boost for renewable energy, a growing sense of corporate responsibility for the environment, and the decision to create a large offshore wind park are news items that have had little impact in Spain.

ROMANIA: Culture Capital Is Another World

Sibiu, one of the most dynamic regions in Romania, thrives as the European City of Culture for 2007. But its prosperity is not representative of the entire country.

HUNGARY: No Way Around Gas, for Now

With reliable alternatives remaining a relatively distant dream, Hungary, one of the most gas-dependent countries in Europe, will have to rely on Russian sources in the foreseeable future.

SPAIN: Hemmed In, ETA Steps Up Pressure

Although greatly weakened, the Basque separatist group ETA has stepped up its pressure on businesses in that northern Spanish region with a view to raising funds through extortion, while it has become increasingly radical in its political demands and is preparing a new attack, according to the police.

RUSSIA: &#39The Army Needs Religion&#39

Low morale and high crime within the Russian army could be tackled if the interior ministry and the military authorities accept strengthening army chaplaincy as an instrument of change, religious leaders say.

FRANCE: Sarkozy Charges Ahead

Since his inauguration as France's president in May, Nicolas Sarkozy has appeared as a whirlwind of activity following the often-lethargic decade-plus rule of his predecessor, Jacques Chirac.

ENVIRONMENT-BALKANS: Much Energy Now Goes to Waste

After years and even decades of neglect, Balkans nations are seeing a new awareness of environmental issues. But across Bosnia, Croatia, Montenegro and Serbia waste management remains a serious problem.

ALBANIA: UNESCO Not a Life Saver

Good looks have not sufficed to make Gjirokaster, a picturesque historical city in Southern Albania, the wealthy and successful tourist destination it aspires to be.

TURKEY: Military In or Out of Politics?

Turkey has a powerful military with no qualms about direct or other forms of intervention in politics in the name of its constitutional powers - safeguarding a secular republic from both external and internal threats. But now, while still held in high esteem by the populace, its continued role in politics is being questioned.

BALKANS: Serbia Hopes for Postponement of Kosovo Independence

Serbia has expressed particular satisfaction after the United Nations failed to agree a new Security Council resolution aimed at supervised independence for Kosovo.

BALKANS: EU Leaders Agree Common Stance

Top European Union politicians stated their determination to maintain a unified stance on Kosovo this week as they analysed the latest twists in the saga of the disputed territory.

ENVIRONMENT-GREECE: Recycling Begins, At Last

Household waste recycling is on the rise in Greece but there is still a long way to go before the cleanup is complete.

ALBANIA: Ambitious New Framework to Regulate Tourism

Tourism, one of the economic priorities of the administration, will now be regulated by a new law.

BULGARIA: Little Hope against Organised Crime

A recent shooting in Bulgarian capital Sofia involving Serbian Zemun clan members has brought into focus the seriousness of Bulgaria's problems with organised crime.

BALKANS: Some Get Lazier, Others Work Harder

Contrary trends arise in Serbia these days, where official statistics show Serbs are a lazy nation, while those who seek new opportunities show otherwise.

PORTUGAL: Epidemic of Conscientious Objection to Performing Abortion

Pleading "conscientious objection," a significant proportion of doctors in Portugal are preventing women from making use of the law authorising abortions up to 10 weeks of gestation, which entered into force on Sunday.

ENVIRONMENT-ALBANIA: No Time to Waste

Albania cannot hope to become a major tourist destination unless it solves its waste management problem. Seeing this, authorities are wasting no more time in taking action.

MIGRATION-GERMANY: New Hope Arises for Integration

A summit on integration of some 15 million migrants into German society has produced an ambitious new programme.

BALKANS: Music Brings Political Harmony

The northern Serbian city Novi Sad and capital Belgrade have become multi-ethnic centres of the Balkans over the past five days with the hosting of the EXIT festival and the Saturday concert of the Rolling Stones.

HEALTH-RUSSIA: Mandatory Drugs Testing May Not Work

Russian authorities plan to enforce mandatory testing to detect drugs use among students joining academic institutions this year. It will be a tough task ahead.