Kathleen Moore

Europe: Building New Mosques Encounters Resistance

In Greece, plans to build the first mosque in the Athens area in nearly 200 years have sparked a row. In Slovenia, thousands signed a petition calling for a referendum on whether to build the country's first mosque. And residents in the Dutch city of Rotterdam have protested the construction of a large mosque there. Across Europe, the building of new mosques often comes under fierce criticism. Opponents say they worry about the erosion of their countries' native cultures and fear the mosques may attract extremists. But for Europe's growing Muslim population, rows like these are yet another front in their battle for acceptance.

South Asia: Pakistan Clamps Down On Al-Qaeda, Taliban Suspects As Reports Fly Over Bin Laden's Whereabouts

Pakistani troops have arrested some 20 suspects in an operation aimed at tracking down Al-Qaeda and Taliban fighters believed to be hiding in remote tribal areas along the border with Afghanistan. This latest offensive comes amid heightened speculation that U.S.-led forces are closing in on Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.

World: More Countries Using Quotas to Boost Number of Women in Politics

All over the world, women are underrepresented in politics. One way to get more women into parliament and legislatures is to use quotas -- where women are guaranteed a set number of seats, say, or places on a party's list of candidates. Coalition authorities in Iraq are now reported to be backing the idea of quotas as they consider their own political future. It's the latest example of what is an increasing trend worldwide -- but quotas are not without their critics.

Western Press Review: Bush's Nukes, Rybkin's 'Vacation,' Afghan Women, And Iran's Crisis

Prague, 12 February 2004 (RFE/RL) -- Commentary and analysis in today's press covers the call by U.S. President George W. Bush for tighter controls to stop the spread of nuclear weapons; the mysterious disappearance and reappearance of Russian presidential candidate Ivan Rybkin; the plight of Afghan women; and Iran's electoral crisis.

World: For Many Muslim Women, Head Scarves A Matter of Personal, Not Political, Conviction

An item of clothing worn by many Muslim women has become a hot political topic in Europe recently, as France prepares to ban head scarves from public schools, along with other overt religious symbols. There's been anger and protests from Muslims around the world. What is the basis for the wearing of the hijab and other forms of Islamic dress?

Uzbekistan: Singer Wows Music Fans At Home And Abroad

She's already well established as a singing star in her home country of Uzbekistan. And since she first performed at a music festival near London four years ago, she's become increasingly popular internationally, too. Now singer Sevara Nazarkhan is up for two BBC world music awards and about to tour the U.K. and other European countries.

Iraq: ICC Being Asked To Investigate Britain For War Crimes

A group of international lawyers is calling on the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate the U.K. for war crimes during the U.S.-led war in Iraq. The lawyers -- from the U.K., Canada, Ireland, and France -- want the court to investigate the use of cluster bombs and attacks on media targets. Their recommendation does not apply to the U.S., which is not a party to the ICC.

U.S.: Father Of Guantanamo Detainee Pins Hopes On New Pressure Group

It's now two years since the U.S. began holding foreign terror suspects at its military base in Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. Now a new group has been launched to push for the return of European detainees.

Spain: 'Wife-beating' Imam Gets Sentence And Sparks Debate

A Muslim cleric in Spain has been convicted of inciting violence for a book in which he advises how husbands might beat their wives. RFE/RL reports that women's groups in Spain have hailed the verdict, but free-speech advocates say it could be counterproductive.

Iraq: Young Iraqis Learn The Art Of Being Diplomatic In Prague

Five young Iraqis have just begun a monthlong course of diplomatic training in Prague. A new generation of Iraqi envoys and junior diplomatic staff are taking part in what the Czechs say was the first offer of such schooling as part of international efforts to reconstruct Iraq.

U.S.: How Low Can It Go? Dollar May Fall Further

The U.S. dollar has continued to fall against world currencies this week. At one point it hit an all-time low against the euro, an 11-year low against the British pound, and a three-year low against the Japanese yen. While it's since bounced back slightly, analysts are predicting this will be only a brief respite. The dollar's fall is partly due to concerns about America's big budget and trade deficits -- and because the U.S. central bank looks unlikely to raise interest rates anytime soon.

EU: Italy Opens Task Force To Probe Letter-Bomb Campaign

Two European Parliament members yesterday became the latest targets of a string of letter bombs mailed to European Union politicians. At least six such packages have been received and others intercepted in the last three weeks. Authorities suspect anarchists are behind the bombs, most of which have been sent from the Italian city of Bologna. Now, Italy is to set up a European task force to curb anarchist unrest.

U.S.: Washington Pushes For Sky Marshals On Foreign Airliners

2003 & Beyond: Human Rights Remained Under Attack, But Hopeful Signs Did Emerge

2003 & Beyond: RFE/RL's Top 10 (Non-Iraqi) News Events Of The Year

U.K.: Teenage Georgian Singer Hitting It Big in Britain

Iraq: The Rise And Fall Of Saddam Hussein

UN: Annan Says World Must Support Afghanistan More Or Risk Failure

Lithuania: Stormy Skies Ahead For Embattled Stunt-Pilot President

Czech Republic: Violence Against Women -- Signs Of Progress (Part 4)