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.

ALBANIA: Preserving a Beauty Called Biodiversity

It takes a short walk from the famous Velipoja beach in Shkodra town on the Adriatic coast to put behind the stresses of modern life, and the beach attractions themselves.

RIGHTS: Violations Expected to Last Beyond Putin

Human rights campaigners in Russia and Finland fear that denial of rights will continue beyond the term of President Vladimir Putin, who is expected to step down in March next year.

ALBANIA: Thermal Plant Threatens Tourism

The building of a thermal power plant in Vlora could reduce Albania's electricity deficit, but it would also damage one of the country's most beautiful tourist destinations. The local population is fighting to have the factory built elsewhere.

ICELAND: Jobs May Go Down With Cod

A crisis is looming in Iceland as, once again, cod populations have crashed.

ALBANIA: A Provincial Capital On The Move

Friendly, small-scale and cheap, colourful and somewhat improvised, Tirana, like its people, seems to be happy and curious about any visitor. Whether it can preserve this charm remains to be seen.