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The article discusses the increasingly multicultural demographics of Europe and the tensions produced by conflicts between some of those cultures. The conflict between traditional western Europeans and fundamentalist Muslims who sympathize with al-Qaida is cited as one example. Recommendations for ameliorating some of the tensions are provided, which include better management of immigration and improving the economic integration of minorities with the larger society.

The article focuses on the aim of Germany to transmit a new image of the nation as it hosts the 2006 World Cup football tournament. The games will be held in a stadium constructed by Adolf Hitler for the 1936 Olympic Games and the country has made no attempt to ignore the fact. Instead, Germany opted to stage an exhibit next to the stadium which documented the history of the building and the 1936 Olympics. The stadium is one of the most powerful works of Nazi architecture.

The article discusses various issues that highlight how females of a certain age are seizing stressful moment in their lives to reinvent themselves. Some women become more willing to take risks as they grow less concerned about what others think. Many study findings highlight that the most profound difference in attitude between men and women at middle age is that women are twice as likely to be hopeful about the future.

The article profiles the newly elected Pope Benedict XVI. He was born on Holy Saturday, April 16, 1927, in the town of Marktl am Inn in Germany's southern Bavaria. His birth name was Joseph Aloysius Ratzinger, his family was profoundly Catholic. Ratzinger remembered a happy childhood of nature walks and learning to play the piano, a lifelong hobby. As the brilliant young man with the photographic memory, his intuition found its theological grounding in some of Saint Augustine's thought.

The article features a successful career woman, Freya Van den Bossche whom at 28 is Belgium's Minister of Environment, Sustainable Development and Consumer Affairs. She was the youngest cabinet minister in the country's history with a portfolio that includes food safety and protecting children online. She won her first election in 2000, becoming an alderwoman in Ghent, without the help of legislation.

The article focuses on the case of French actress Marie Trintignant dying after a fight with her rock-star boyfriend Bertrand Cantat. Trintignant's tragedy focused new attention on domestic violence in Europe. It highlights two facts that such violence can occur in any relationship and that statistics only hint at the depths of the problem. Studies show that there are factors and situations that influence the tendency toward violence.

The article discusses the financial crisis facing Berlin, Germany. Parts of the city are experiencing levels of poverty that were previously unknown in Germany. Even Berlin's famous nightlife has been affected by the glum mood. Berlin's problems can be traced back to the subsidies, amounting to half the total budget in West Berlin. One of the hardest hit areas is the public school system.

Discusses lack of enforcement of smoking law in Europe; Laws that forbid smoking in public places and set up smoking areas in bars, cafés and restaurants that are not enforced; Reasons why the laws are not enforced; Europeans who die from smoking annually; Percentage of European popluations that smoke; European Court of Justice ruling that will force cigarette makers to lower the levels of tar and nicotine in their products and bars the use of words like 'light' and 'mild' on cigarette packs; Law that will ban tobacco companies from sponsoring international spectator sports; Workplace smoking that is getting banned in Great Britain. INSET: A BURNING ISSUE.

Focuses on torrential rains that caused deadly floods across Europe. Details of the devastation throughout Central Europe; Question of whether global warming is to blame; Focus on cleaning up and preventing future floods; Economic impact of the drop in tourism; Possibility that Europe's weather may be worsening; Views of experts; Outlook for an increase in extreme weather in Europe.

Discusses the problem of anti-Semitism in Europe. Acts of anti-Semitism in France, Germany, and Russia; Idea that the attacks have risen due to the anger and frustration of Muslims; Belief that Jews are being attacked in acts of revenge on Israel; Sympathy of some European governments to the cause of Palestine.

Focuses on the trade of nuclear contraband in light of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and the allegations that Osama bin Laden has tried to obtain nuclear weapons. Details surrounding allegations of terrorist traders in Russia, Georgia, and Bulgaria; Strategies of smugglers to avoid customs officials; Discussion of so-called dirty bombs and their impact; Installation of radiation detectors by Turkey; Role of the United States in increasing security at nuclear-material storage sites.

Profiles Mohamed Atta, a terrorist believed to be the leader of a gang of terrorists which attacked the United States in September, 2001. Investigation into the involvement of Atta in the attacks; Personality of Atta; Experience of Atta with fundamental Islam; Biographical information. INSETS: Did It All Start in Europe?;THE 19 SUSPECTS;Final Instructions.

Presents information on organizations which may demonstrate against globalization at a meeting of world leaders at an economic summit in Genoa, Italy. Efforts of the city to prevent violence and crime during demonstrations; Prediction that activity at the summit may be worse than protests in Gothenburg, Sweden, in which hundreds were arrested and dozens injured; View that the radical surge in protesting presents a moral dilemma for mainstream organizations who make up the core of the antiglobalization movement.

Reports on efforts and technological innovations to reduce the emission of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the air which causes global warming. Innovations in car designs like the NECAR4 which is powered by hydrogen; Pumping of CO2 into the ground which has proven an effective way of keeping it out of the atmosphere; Use of the endlessly reusable power from wind and sun.

The article deals with the military alliance that aims to transform Afghanistan. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization will add thousands more troops in its International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) when it takes charge of security in the country's eastern sector. The ISAF will continue to hunt Osama bin Laden and other al-Qaeda leaders in the wild reaches straddling the border with Pakistan, where the Taliban maintains bases.

The article looks at the popularity and performance of Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel. Approval ratings for Merkel has been 80% in February 2006, the highest for any German Chancellor since World War II. Merkel heads up a grand coalition with her former adversaries, the Social Democratic Party, and must find consensus on ways to revitalize the economy, repair the health system and boost employment.

Discusses the opposition that British Prime Minister Tony Blair is facing because of his support of a war with Iraq. Argument of many Labour Members of Parliament that a war against Saddam Hussein is yet unproven; Majorities across Europe who remain opposed to U.S. President George W. Bush's war plans; Nations that are opposed to their governments, such as the United Kingdom, Spain, and Italy; Role of Spain's Prime Minister José María Aznar; Role of Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.

Discusses the hesitation of European Union leaders to approve of a U.S. strike against Iraq. Opposition to an assault on Iraq by leaders in Great Britain and Germany; Why European leaders want to register their objections to regime change in Iraq early; The feeling that a military attack on Iraq is an expression of American unilaterism; View that the European Union should express alternatives to an attack on Iraq.

Reports on the agreement signed in Berlin, Germany that requires the German government and German industry to contribute money to a foundation called Remembrance, Responsibility and the Future. How the money will be divided among surviving slave laborers, who worked in concentration camps and laborers forced to work in Germany during the Holocaust. INSETS: SHARING THE BURDEN;High Politics and Hidden Treasure, by Anthee Carassava.

Reports on how attitudes towards refugees in Europe have changed as the often unfounded alarm over the general influx of foreigners rises. Most of Western Europe hardening its heart to asylum seekers; German political parties endorsing tougher lines towards refugees; The Schengen pact among European Union countries allowing freer movement and the concerns it raises; Fate of refugees such as those from the war in Kosovo. INSET: A tale of hope deferred, by Regine Wosnitza.

The article reports that Somalia coast has become a pirates' paradise. Over the past seven months, Somali pirates have attacked 25 vessels, and are becoming more aggressive and skillful. Somalia, which boasts the longest coastline in Africa, is no easy place to monitor. Without an effective central government the country is split among warlords and is in a state of anarchy. Somali pirates often receive huge amounts in ransom, which they invest in modernizing their wares.

The article discusses the importance of a healthy diet in controlling obesity in children. Obese children often exhibit bad behavior and learning difficulties. School going children consume food, high in fat and sugar and low in nutrition. Chef Jamie Oliver comments that the meals served in schools in Great Britain is generally poor. Healthy eating should be made a part of children's everyday lives, both at school and at home.

Discusses some of the most dangerous and most deadly roads in Europe. Route Départementale 61 in France; France having the most road fatalities in Europe at 8,079 in 2000; View that France needs better enforcement of existing laws to reduce fatalities; Improvements in infrastructure and automobile technology that have helped diminish accident fatalities in most European Union countries; The need for driver education.

Profiles skiiers Adam Malysz of Poland and Sven Hannawald of Germany, who will compete against each other in ski jumping at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah. Highlights of their careers; How Hannawald beat Malysz and earned the highest point total in history at the 2001 Four Hills ski jumping event; Fame of Malysz in Poland; Analysis of their athletic strengths and weaknesses; Expectations for their performance at the Olympics.

Focuses on exhibitions of work by conceptual artists Christo Javacheff and Jeanne-Claude de Guillebon, who work under their first names. Details of a retrospective at the Martin Gropius-Bau which features their 'Wrapped Reichstag' and other works produced since 1958; Details of the Neuer Berliner Kunstverein exhibition of works-in-progress; Comments about their work from Jeanne-Claude.

Discusses preparations in European Union countries for the introduction of euros as the standard currency. Advertising campaign of the European Central Bank to raise public support for the currency; Plans to introduce the currency on January 1, 2002; Worry of small businesses about the impact of the changeover which will force them to deal in euros and the old currency for a few months; Concerns about money laundering.

Reports on efforts to control the spread of foot-and-mouth disease among livestock and to protect the food supply. Details of the disease and cases traced to the British infection; Steps taken by the United States Food and Drug Administration to protect U.S. herds and the financial well-being of U.S. farms; What is being done in Europe as of March 2001 to prevent the spread of the disease; Suggestion that the European community views the measures as protectionism. INSET: Panic Is Not on the Menu--Yet, by J.F.O..

Discusses attempts to recover property which was plundered during World War II. Information released on collections that have an uncertain wartime provenance by U.K. National Museum Directors' Conference and German and French governments; Seizure of property by the Nazis and Russians; Difficulty involved in retrieving these lost goods; Details from some success stories of art restitution.

Discusses the resignation of former German Chancellor and honorary chairman of the opposition Christian Democratic Union, Helmut Kohl, because of a financial scandal. Suicide of Wolfgang Hullen, the official in charge of finance for the CDU's parliamentary faction; Charges against Kohl for using cash from unreported campaign contributions. INSET: Inside the Scandal, by Charles P. Wallace and Ursula Sautter.

Reports the November 8, 1999 trial of Australian Holocaust revisionist Fredrick Toben in Germany. Responses to Toben's claims that the Nazi Holocaust is a hoax; Charges brought against Toben, including defaming the memory of the dead; Germany's response and steps taken to prevent the rehabilitation of National Socialism.

Presents information on the recovery in the number of wolves in Europe as of 1999. Recovery due to their status as protected animals; How the fall of the Soviet Union helped to gain their protected status; The Bern Convention in 1982; Debate over the number of wolves; Sheep and goat ranchers angry over the number of livestock killed by wolves.

Visits the Cistercian convent of St. Marienstern in Germany. Exhibition called `Time and Eternity' which is a comprehensive display of Saxony's religious history; Accumulation of the art objects; Comments by nuns; Historic observations on the area.

The article reports that Angela Merkel and Gerhard Schröder, leaders of the two major political parties in Germany, both claimed victory in the election, but the real winners were the smaller parties. The probusiness Free Democratic Party achieved a personal best with 61 seats. The results of the election are a sign of a deepening social divide between jobless and low-paid workers and young, urban professionals.

The article reports that Cyprus had been a major stumbling block to Turkey's entry into the European Union (EU). The EU, UN and the U.S. pressured Turkey to use its influence on Turkish Cyprus. In December 2004, the EU will decide whether to open talks to admit Turkey to the club, once those talks begin, it will be difficult to deny Turkey its place. Because Turkey is a 98% Muslim country with 68.6 million people, meaning that Turkey would have real clout in population-based EU votes.

The article discusses water management problems faced by Europe as a whole and Italy and Sicily in particular. Irregular weather patterns in most of the Europe compounded by lack of proper water management and droughts have made the water situation in Italy worse than ever. It is suggested that drastic water management reform is needed at the grassroot levels to take stock of the worsening situation. The state authorities are trying to work out effective water conservation strategies to this end.

Reports on problems created by contaminated feed within the organic farming industry in Germany. Problem of foot-and-mouth and mad cow disease in the country during 2001; Organic animal feed which had been contaminated with the herbicide Nitrofen; Destruction of chickens which had eaten contaminated feed; Recall of animal products which might be contaminated, including eggs, poultry, and beef.

Examines the problems associated with prosecution of Internet child pornography purveyors in Great Britain. Pornographic material which was circulated online by the members of a secretive club; Criticism of brief jail sentences given to pedophiles; How encryption technology has made it more difficult to control Internet distribution of child pornography.

Reports on the nomination of Angela Merkel to be the next chairperson of the Christian Democratic Union, Germany's scandal-plagued opposition party. Scandals which have plagued the CDU, including the admission from former Chancellor Helmut Kohl to operating an illegal slush fund to aid CDU candidates; Merkel's political shrewdness; Background information on Merkel; Inexperience which raises doubts that she will be the party's candidate for Chancellor.

Reports on the $5.14 billion deal to settle outstanding claims by Nazi Germany's slave and forced laborers against German companies. Details of the settlement that will be paid by companies like Siemens and Volkswagen; The happiness on all sides to have reached a deal; Importance of settling the deal as soon as possible because an average of 1,000 former slave laborers die every month.

Discusses the discontent of the citizens of Magdeburg, Germany because of the reputation as a neo-Nazi haven it has acquired. Comments by the city's mayor, Wilhelm Polte; Inclusion of Magdeburg on `Time' magazine's map of potential flashpoints for conflict; Examples of incidents of racist violence in the city; Attempts to change the far-right values of this typical east German community; Outlook.