France Aubry calls for Socialist unity

Martine Aubry has appealed for unity among French Socialists, after her narrow party leadership victory. Results show she triumphed by just 42 votes out of more than 130,000 cast. “I understand…

education Moroccan cinema; the first steps

The first film school in Morocco – and one of the first in Africa – opened in Marrakech three years ago, offering graduates the chance to study all aspects of cinema.

Environment Species under threat

With their reputation as fearsome and aggressive creatures, it is difficult to believe sharks are vulnerable. But a report by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature reveals a quarter…

Fishery From net to plate: reinforcing fisheries protection in Europe.

Ensuring the survival of the fishing industry without gutting fish stocks is one of the big challenges facing Europe. The rules exist but enforcing them is not always easy. The EU wants to improve…

Space: opening new horizons

Space exploration – the big scientific missions, manned flights, technology which grows ever more complex – in short, a great adventure. But that’s not all, space has given rise to a number of…

Climate Countdown to climate pact

The final stages of EU debate over slashing greenhouse gases approaches. The European governments, Commission and Parliament are preparing for three days of discussions starting next week, aimed…

Oil Lukoil looks for stake in Repsol

Russia’s Lukoil, the country’s biggest non-state oil giant, is looking to buy a 30 percent stake in Spain’s biggest oil producer, Repsol. If the deal goes ahead, it could mark the beginning of…

California, USA Faked brand goods harmless?

Counterfeits may not look harmful, yet they threaten people’s incomes and health. Industries are churning out fake consumer goods while Europe studies how to fight the multi-billion euro trade.

Syria The Iraqis who seek refuge in Syria

Syria has become the land of refuge for Iraqis fleeing their country’s troubles. 1.5 million Iraqis are living here, mostly in Damascus. But life is not easy for those trying to make a living, or for…

Georgia Ex-Georgian speaker on turning against Saakashvili

Anti-government rallies in Georgia earlier this month highlighted the strength of the opposition to Mikhail Saakashvili. But the pro-western president remains popular across much of the country.…

Ukraine Preserving Ukraine’s wooden architecture

With plentiful forests, wood was the main building material in Ukraine for centuries. But the exquisite wooden houses and churches are fragile and their long-term future is far from sure.