Straddling a promising energy corridor running from east to west, Turkey is keen to turn its geographical position into political capital. To the west, Ankara wants to exploit its position to gain leverage with the world's second-biggest energy consumer, the European Union, whose membership Turkey seeks. Looking east and south, Turkey strives to expand its influence in countries that supply the oil and gas Europe needs, especially Central Asia.

The European Union's disease control agency said Thursday that while tuberculosis and HIV remain a concern the emergence of drug-resistant microbes poses a growing threat to public health in Europe.

U.S. President George W. Bush says Russia poses no threat to Europe, despite a warning by Moscow to target the continent if the United States deploys elements of a missile shield in Central Europe.

Conference on the European Charter for Small Enterprises

In April Europe's most advanced outdoor WiFi network will be switched on across the entire City of London - the famous Square Mile. More than 350,000 people who work in and visit the area now have wireless broadband access throughout the City. The network, built and operated by The Cloud, will have free access for the first month, provided in association with Nokia, enabling anyone with a WiFi-enabled device* to get online in the City for broadband internet access on the move.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is threatening to aim missiles at new targets in Europe if America goes through with plans for a missile defense program. VOA White House Correspondent Scott Stearns reports, U.S. President George Bush says there would be no military response to Russia retargeting missiles because the countries are not at war.

The central bank chiefs of Japan, Europe, and the United States Wednesday expressed optimism about short-term economic prospects in their economies. As VOA's Barry Wood reports, the central bankers spoke via video link with their counterparts attending a monetary conference in South Africa.

Prime Minister Tony Blair expects to have frank conversations with Vladimir Putin about his country's relations with Europe and the U.S.

China has voiced its opposition to a proposed U.S. missile defense system in Eastern Europe. From Hong Kong, Joseph Popiolkowski reports that the controversial plan is also drawing fire from Russian president Vladimir Putin, who will meet President Bush at this week's G8 summit in Germany.

The historic city of Munich may be a wonderful travel destination for your summer vacation. The third largest city in Germany and the capital of the German Federal State of Bavaria, Munich is recognized as one of Europe's most prestigious cities and one that is liable to eat up your travel budget in an amazingly short time.

There are some questions under discussion at a democracy and security conference that opened today in Prague, with a scheduled keynote speech from U.S. President George W. Bush. The meeting has brought together dissidents past and present, as well as academics and politicians from many countries.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has been heating up his rhetoric in the weeks leading up to the June 6-8 meeting of the Group of Eight (G8) major industrialized nations in Germany.