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Discusses the opening ceremonies at the summer Olympic games in Athens, Greece. Consideration of how the 10,000 athletes from 202 countries were introduced to 72,000 spectators; How Greek athletes Konstantinos Kenteris and Katerina Thanou missed their mandatory drug tests and were suspended by the Hellenic Olympic Committee the night before the event; Scandal over the possibility that Thanou and Kenteris were involved with doping; Performances by singer Bjork and Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki; How the first gold medal was awarded to China's Du Li for the women's 10-m air-rifle competition. INSET: THE CONTROVERSY AND THE CONQUESTS.

Discusses the sport of women's tennis. Data on ranking of tennis players, how tennis tournaments rate in television broadcasting, and amount of prize money; Issues of racism, humility, and sponsorship; Mention of several tennis players, including Jennifer Capriati, Martina Hingis, Serena and Venus Williams, Lindsay Davenport, and Monica Seles.

Examines the situation in the European Union in which 15 million people are registered as unemployed, yet millions of jobs are unfilled due to lack of qualified applicants. Possibility of labor reforms, including promoting lifelong earnings and lowering taxes on labor; View that Europe's job problem is grounded in an inflexible education system, high payroll and social security taxes and barriers to job-seeking mobility; Differences among European women in the workforce.

The article reports on the rise in bullies in schools in Europe. While teasing, harassment and violence that constitute bullying are not new, the behavior is growing both more pervasive and aggressive. In Spain around 7% of kids between 9 and 16 are victims of extreme bullying. In France, almost 13% of students are the target of multiple bullying incidents. Bullies are increasingly resorting to technology, too, such as sending offensive text messages or recording incidents on video.

The article offers information on the 2004 Olympic Games at Athens, Greece. During the games, 10,500 athletes from 202 countries participated in 301 medal events. In the games, China took outperformed its past gold records in Olympics. The U.S. athletes performed well and the nation got maximum number of medals.

Discusses the opening ceremonies at the summer Olympic games in Athens, Greece. Consideration of how the 10,000 athletes from 202 countries were introduced to 72,000 spectators; How Greek athletes Konstantinos Kenteris and Katerina Thanou missed their mandatory drug tests and were suspended by the Hellenic Olympic Committee the night before the event; Scandal over the possibility that Thanou and Kenteris were involved with doping; Performances by singer Bjork and Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki; How the first gold medal was awarded to China's Du Li for the women's 10-m air-rifle competition.

Reports on the opinion held by some that the European Central Bank (ECB) should help Europe out of its economic troubles. Creation of the ECB by the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); Reasons why the EMU created the Stability and Growth Pact; Scenarios involving Germany's economy and what may happen if it destablizes.

Focuses on how the World Cup soccer tournament can unify diverse cultural groups. Idea that a soccer team is an embodiment of national pride and passion; Examples of how soccer fans demonstrate their enthusiasm; Outlook for the 2002 World Cup in Japan; Countries that are favored to win, including France, Brazil and Argentina; Analysis of various teams' strengths and weaknesses.

Discusses how many Europeans are not saving enough money for their retirement. Analysis of the pension systems in Europe; How young people do not think much about pension savings; Problems with state pension systems; Evaluation of corporate pension plans; Efforts to reform pensions.

Focuses on the varied family structures in Europe. Description of families in which the parents are not married; Increase in divorces; Decision of couples to not have children; Efforts of governments to ensure that de facto relationships have some legal recognition; Reasons for the changes in family structure; Example of James Bateman, who is a single father; Description of homosexual couples. INSET: THE PRICE OF PARTNERSHIP, By Jeff Chu.

Discusses problems with air traffic delays in Europe. Impact of increased flights, pilot strikes, and bad weather on delays; The need for air traffic control reform.

Discusses potential physical dangers involved with flying for long periods of time. Description of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), in which blood clots form due to long periods of immobility; Other potential problems, including high levels of cosmic radiation and questionable cabin air quality; Comments from major airlines.

Background. Oncology professionals still lack the knowledge and skills to provide effective psychosocial care. Continuing education (CE) aimed at addressing this lack may improve the provision of psychosocial care to patients and their families. Methods. The authors conducted a province-wide cross-sectional mail survey of oncology health care professionals [oncologists (MDs), nurses (RNs) and radiation therapists (RTs)] and assessed psychosocial orientation, self-assessed knowledge, and motivation to learn about psychosocial oncology. In addition, they sought factors that might influence professionals' willingness to attend CE programs. Results. In total, 241 surveys were completed and returned. Psychosocial orientation was highest in the RN subgroup. MDs rated their knowledge to deal with specific psychosocial issues higher than did RNs and RTs, while their motivation to learn more about providing psychosocial care was significantly lower. Seventy-three percent of respondents indicated that they would like CE in psychosocial oncology. Self-reported motivation to learn was the most significant factor associated with this interest. Conclusion. These findings raise questions about perceived learning needs and aided in the development of an interprofessional curriculum in psychosocial oncology.

Background. A pilot study was designed to aid in the development of a formal, interdisciplinary curriculum in psychosocial oncology for front-line health care professionals. Method. A 190-item questionnaire was distributed o psychosocial (PP) and non-psychosocial (NPP) oncology professionals attending a psychosocial skills workshop. A 38-item attitudinal survey of psychosocial orientation was used in an attempt to identify unperceived needs of the learners. Results. Of the 150 questionnaires distributed, 104 (69%) were completed and returned. Overall scores for satisfaction with the workshop were high, and significantly higher in the PP group. No interdisciplinary difference existed in the preferred learning formats for future events, and both groups preferred interactive, experiential forums for developing skills relevant to patient management. The two groups' perceived learning needs differed. NPPs wanted to focus on skills such as communication, counseling, crisis intervention, palliative care, and coping with life-threatening illness. The attitudinal survey results demonstrated a significant difference between the psychosocial orientations of PPs and NPPs and suggested that NPPs would benefit from: 1) information to correct misconceptions about patients' psychosocial needs and experiences, 2) demonstrations of how to overcome contextual barriers to the delivery of psychosocial care. Conclusions. Front-line oncology professionals in many disciplines are interested in continuing education in psychosocial oncology. The attitudinal survey provided insight into unperceived learning needs that can help in designing future curricula. Its value as a tool to measure impact of these programs is worthy of future study.

Focuses on the trend of interactive toys in the European toy market. Success of the electronic toy market; Effect that interactive toys are having on Europe's toy companies; Prices of the electronic toys; Desire of parents to find toys that both amuse and teach.

Focuses on the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). Support of bank loans to small and medium-sized enterprises; Plans to launch small business financing programs; Question of how the EBRD should operate; Challenges faced by the EBRD.

Discusses the influx of money into the sport of soccer and the impact it will have on the game. Why soccer is a global sport that nations can compete in regardless of economic status; How leagues in Europe have seen a surge in revenues from lucrative television deals; Influence of commercialization of soccer; Rising salaries of the athletes. INSET: Movers and Takers, by Jennie James et al.

Discusses the financial crisis that Europe will face by 2030 from the rising number of pensioners. The drastic choices that the European system of state pensions faces as the baby boom generation enters retirement; How different European countries have responded to the looming crisis; When the state pension was invented; Two factors that are making the situation even bleaker. INSET: ON THE GRAY DANUBE.

Discusses the job gap in Europe. High unemployment rates; Lack of qualified job applicants; Reasons for the employment dilemma, including an inflexible education system, high labor taxes and barriers to mobility; Effect of the Information age on the job situation; Large numbers of unfilled jobs; Economic situation in Germany and Ireland; Lack of women in the workforce; What the United Kingdom has done to cut unemployment rates; Disability rates in the Netherlands. INSETS: For Many Europeans, There's No Place Like Home;Europe's On-the-Job Education Revolution, by Aisha Labi.

Deals with fashion shows in Paris, France. Controversy over Christian Dior designer John Galliano's hoboesque fashion; Elegance of Givenchy designer Alexander McQueen's collection; Catchphrases at the Chanel Inc. show; Cynicism that surrounds haute couture.

Profiles Lindsay Owen-Jones, who as head of L'Oréal, took over Maybelline cosmetics brand. Comment of Owen-Jones on marketing the brand; The year Maybelline was introduced in China; Background on the British CEO.

Presents information on efforts of several companies and organizations in the developed world to spread technology and knowledge to the developing world. The importance of having a sense of social and environmental responsibility in the way business is conducted; Examples including George Atkins' Developing Countries Farm Radio Network and the efforts of Samsung to create good community relations in Indonesia and elsewhere.

The article presents information about young soccer players who are playing in the Euro 2004 soccer tournament. All the signs say Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo could be the newcomer who turns into something special at Euro 2004. Football aficionados praise Dutch player Rafael van der Vaart's feel for the ball, and even compare it to that of French guru Zinedine Zidane.

The article presents information about soccer players over 30 years of age that are expected to retire after the Euro 2004 soccer tournament. French playmaker Zinedine Zidane is nearing 32. Frank de Boer, aged 34, will make his last appearance with a Dutch team he joined in 1990. Sweden stands to possibly lose only Henrik Larsson and his former Celtic teammate Johan Mjallby.

The article presents information on the poor state of railroad infrastructure in Europe. Passengers on Europe's railroads encounter trains that are dirty or late when they run at all. In Great Britain, almost 60% of passengers say trains do not provide value for money and service got so bad on some of the main commuter lines into London that the government had to sack the company that operates the franchise. The European Commission is making efforts to improve the conditions of railroads.

Focuses on Simon Fuller, a British entertainment entrepreneur, who created the television program 'Pop Idol,' its offshoot, 'American Idol,' and 'Germany Seeks the Superstar.' Mention of his privately held company, 19 Group; Discussion of his reality television plans, including the outlook for 'Second Chance Idol'; Background on music-based reality or talent shows and their impact on the music industry.

Profiles Simon Fuller and the idea behind his proposed television show for American network television. Success of his show, 'American Idol', in England and the U.S.; Use of has-been music stars in the possible new show, 'Second Chance Idol'; Popularity of reality TV.

Focuses on Joseph Sepp Blatter, president of Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), global football's governing body. Role of FIFA general secretary Michel Zen-Ruffinen in accusing Blatter of corrupt management in a report to the executive committee; Outlook for the report to impact FIFA elections; History of FIFA and its standards of accountability; Role of International Sport and Leisure (ISL) in FIFA merchandising; Bankruptcy of ISL; Contenders in the FIFA presidential election.

Discusses the sports broadcasting industry in Europe. Mention of the struggles of media company Kirch, and the decisions of chairman Leo Kirch; Popularity of pay-per-view televised sports events; Economic aspects of sports broadcasting rights; Outlook for television networks; Efforts of broadcasters to determine the needs of sports fans.

Focuses on the ballet 'Giselle'. Topic of the wide range of interpretations of the ballet; Its long-lasting appeal; Historical details, including its conception by French author Theophile Gautier; Why the role is sought after by prima ballerinas.

Discusses the changes in venture capital investing as of March 2001. Comparisons between the current venture capital market and the venture capital market one year ago; Struggles for Internet companies to get venture capital now that many Internet companies have failed.

Discusses the increasing number of Internet companies that are coming to Barcelona, Spain. Impact of the Internet industry on Barcelona's economy and social conditions; Efforts of the Spanish government to focus on attracting high technology companies to Barcelona; Examples of companies and entrepreneurs in Barcelona.

Profiles venture capitalist and chief executive of NewMedia Spark Michael Whitaker. Amount of money invested by NewMedia; Details of a day at NewMedia with Whitaker; Challenge of finding investments and balancing them; Payoff Whitaker expects when his firms go public.