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Focuses on United States President George W. Bush's decision to abandon the 1997 Kyoto Protocol to cut carbon dioxide emissions and curb global warming. Reaction of world leaders; Bush's reversal of campaign promises regarding caps on carbon dioxide; Statistics on how Americans view global warming; Concerns of environmentalists.

The explosion of ambient noise seems to be everywhere, costing more and more people not only their sleep and their sanity but increasingly their hearing and health as well. According to the National Institutes of Health, more than 10 million Americans already suffer some permanent noise-induced hearing loss. The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) reports that some 30 million are exposed to daily noise levels that will eventually reduce their ability to hear. One in eight children between the ages of 6 and 19 already have some degree of hearing loss, and adults who are going deaf are doing so earlier and earlier. And it's not just our ears the noise is hurting. It takes sounds in excess of 85 decibels (db) to damage hearing, but noise at less than 75 db may be linked to hypertension, and that at just 65 db leads to stress, heart damage and depression. Local governments have also started to step in. In 2002, New York City launched what it calls Operation Silent Night, a campaign to crack down on noise in 24 high-volume neighborhoods. In Europe, calls for explicit limits on noise were rejected by the European Parliament, but compromise legislation does require all member countries to produce color-coded, 3-D noise maps of all major cities, enabling planners to spot the biggest problems at a glance. In the U.S.Representative Nita Lowey's bill, now pending in Congress, would provide $20 million a year for noise reduction and reopen the shuttered noise-abatement office.

The article focuses on issues related to the war against terrorism in Europe after the bombings in Madrid, Spain, on March 11, 2004. The bombings in Madrid by Islamic terrorist sent shivers across Europe. Osama bin Laden, the number one leader of al-Qaeda, has given many countries reason to worry. The Madrid attacks represent a self-evident failure by Spanish counterterror services, who let the prime suspect in the case slip through their fingers in 2001.

The article discusses the issue of migration in European Union (EU) countries in light of the May 1, 2004 deadline for enlarging the EU. Member countries announced transitional arrangements to restrict free entry which could last until 2011. Polish priest Christophe Dziech believes that the restrictions on workers from the East are unfair because they will drive people underground where they are more likely to be exploited. Trade unions are enthusiastic about workers from the East.

Describes the anti-war peace marches that took place across the world in February 2003, in hopes of stopping U.S.'s invasion of Iraq. Details of protest signs seen in London; Memories the crowds evoked of other international protests; Aspects of the speech made by British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Focuses on traffic-related problems throughout Europe. Imposition of a traffic-control fee for drivers in London, England and elsewhere; Evolution of traffic congestion in Europe; Scarcity of road space; Emotion attachment of drivers to driving. INSET: OTHER ROADS.

Profiles French President Jacques Chirac during a period of vehement opposition to a United States war with Iraq. His determination to place France at the center of international affairs; His motives for this opposition; His feelings about the U.S.; Risks of falling too far from the influence of the U.S.; His political career; Outlook for his diplomatic efforts in the United Nations Security Council.

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.

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 an epidemic of foot-and-mouth disease, an infection affecting livestock, which began in England and has spread to parts of Europe. Economic impacts of the outbreak, particularly on British farmers; Preventive measures taken by the European Union (EU), including a ban on imports of British meat and livestock; Sources and transmission of the disease; Why EU countries no longer vaccinate animals for foot-and-mouth; Possible reasons for the outbreak, including free trade and the globalization of agriculture. INSET: THE DISEASE AND THE DANGER.

Examines the impact of public fears about bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) on European beef consumption. Why European consumers are eating less beef; Alternative meats which are gaining popularity; Measures taken by the European Union to stop the epidemic; Economic impact of lowered demand for beef; Health factors associated with consumption of different meats; Increase in sales of organic beef and other organic crops; How this could affect national cuisines. INSETS: No Beef? Try Ostrich, by Stacey Vanek Smith;A Tale of Two Restaurants.

The article focuses on gay rights in Europe with reference to EU Commissioner-designate for Justice, Freedom and Security, Rocco Buttiglione's comments on homosexuals. Although Europe has a long tradition of protecting gay rights, Denmark was the first to introduce registered partnerships for gay couples in 1989. But in Italy, the Vatican's political influence remains strong enough to keep gay rights off the official agenda. Rocco said he considered homosexuality a sin.

Discusses the conflict in Europe over the pending war with Iraq. Schism within the European Union that is deepening over foreign policy; Role of French President Jacques Chirac; Warning to European Union candidate countries from Chirac; Response of candidate countries such as Bulgaria and Romania; Opposition of Germany and France to a war with Iraq; Support of Great Britain to a war with Iraq; Comments from British Prime Minister Tony Blair; Grants that the U.S. has offered Turkey.

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.

Discusses the decision of the administration of United States president George W. Bush to abandon to Kyoto Protocol, an international effort to slow global warming. Reaction of the international community to Bush's announcement; His view that cutting carbon dioxide emissions may harm the US economy; Confusion regarding Bush's environmental policy.

Reports that Maxus 1, a rocket built jointly by Sweden and Germany, disintegrated above its launch pad in Lapland. Design of the rocket to compete with the space shuttle as a vehicle for experiments in microgravity; Comments of Jan Englund of the Swedish space center on the disintegration; Solid propellant fuel of the rocket; Lead time for a microgravity experiment on the rocket.

The article reports that for the ratification of the European Union (EU) Constitution that extends the reach of the EU into areas like immigration and asylum, nine more votes are required. To come into force, the constitution must be ratified by all 25 member states, nine of which will follow Spain by letting voters decide. This could spell trouble. Polls show a widespread lack of understanding and interest in the constitution.

The article discusses whether Turkey will be included in the European Union. Turkey has worked hard to reform its justice system and improve its human-rights record. The ruling party of Turkey has passed more than 40 laws and over 300 articles to bring Turkish legislation and government structures in line with European norms. The government has tightened fiscal policy, reformed banking laws and helped bring inflation near 10 percent.

Discusses the European publics' anti-war stance against a United States-led war in Iraq. Examples of anti-war protests in Europe; Disconnect between the antiwar sentiment of most Europeans and the increasingly pro-war stance of their leaders; What pro-war European leaders are saying in the U.S.'s defense.

Focuses on the effects the European Union's Stability and Growth Pact had on member countries. Creation of the pact to curb European Union countries from overspending; Decision made by Pedro Solbes, the European Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs, which would allow Germany, France, and Italy the ability to interpret the Pact rules in their own way.

Focuses on criticism of the European Commission (EC). Allegations of accounting mismanagement and a so-called cover-up by former EC employee Marta Andreasen; Britain's criticism of the European Union's development programs in Africa and other poor countries; Attack on the EC by Germany's Chancellor Gerhard Schröder and challenger Edmund Stoiber; Criticism of the EC from France, Italy and Portugal; Proposed reforms to give Commission managers more independence.

Reports on protests against the shipment of nuclear waste in Europe. How, since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, demonstrators have argued that nuclear waste moved by truck or rail is a target for terrorists; Mention of an agreement signed by the nuclear power industry that will phase out atomic energy in Germany; Statement that the European Union is split over the future of nuclear power.

Discusses the financial problems faced by many European airlines, as of October 2001. Decline in North American air travel since the September 11 terrorist attacks against the United States; Losses projected by many airlines, including Swissair, Sabena and Alitalia; Job cuts and flight-schedule reductions announced by several carriers; Mention of how the low-fare airline Ryanair appears to be unaffected.

The article informs that the bird flu is inexorably winging its way toward Europe. European officials emphasized that keeping domestic and wild birds apart is crucial to biosecurity, meaning that in high-risk areas, chickens and other fowl may be housed inside. Also, Romanian poultry products and Turkish live birds were immediately banned by the European Union.

The article discusses the dispute among the European Commission's members regarding commissioner-designate Rocco Buttiglione's views on homosexuals. Outraged members demanded that incoming European Commission President José Manuel Durão Barroso either replace Buttiglione or shuffle him out of his post. But he declined. Some groups are threatening to reject the Commission as a whole. If Barroso gives in, the Parliament will have set an important precedent.

The article offers information about a recent European Commission audit, which shows that officials of the Commission's statistical agency, Eurostat, have secreted away close to $1 billion of taxpayers' money. The Commission replaced longtime Eurostat director Yves Franchet. The last Commission was forced to resign in 1999 in the wake of a corruption and nepotism scandal.

Reports that European Union (EU) countries have come to an agreement regarding tax sheltering. How EU governments will share information about non-resident savings; How Austria will not release any information about savings accounts.

Focuses on data-protection rights in light of requirements of telephone and Internet companies to retain details of users. Approval of greater powers of the governments in the U.S. and Europe; Amendment to the telecommunications framework legislation in the European Union; Concern that civil servants will misuse personal data of the public; Topic of civil liberties.

Discusses the outlook for reforms in the European commercial fishing industry. Effect of overfishing on marine populations in Europe; Reform plan of the European Commission; Environmental conditions in Europe; Role of Franz Fischler in the proposals for reform; Reaction of European countries to the reform plans.

Focuses on tariffs enacted by European governments to protect their industries, in light of criticism of the tariff on steel by U.S. President George W. Bush. Protection of the household electricity market by the French government; Problem of higher European energy costs, which cannot compete with lower American prices; Outlook for trade liberalization.

Focuses on the ethical debate over cloning in Europe. Reaction in Europe to an announcement by Advanced Cell Technology that it had cloned a human embryo; Distinction between therapeutic and reproductive cloning; Work being done by Italian doctor Severino Antinori, who supports reproductive cloning; Forecast that a consensus on these issues seems unlikely.

Discusses a battle between soccer authorities and the European Commission over the sport's transfer system. Efforts of the Commission to get soccer authorities to stop clubs from demanding fees when their players move to rival sides; View that payments are in breach of European Union laws that require freedom of movement for workers; Various proposals under consideration.