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The Record: Europe
Europe explained: the Record Europe takes its weekly look at the key events and issues in the EU institutions.

Democratic Convention diary
Super-delegate Connie Borde joins BBC reporters to give an insider's view of the Democratic Convention in Denver.

US economic growth stays positive
The Treasury Secretary predicts better times as figures show the US economy grew at a slower-than-expected rate of 1.9%.

New challenges with remortgaging
With lenders being squeezed on who they can lend to, what are the new challenges when remortgaging?

Baghdad sees tentative rebirth
Baghdad sees a tentative business boom as security improvements begin to take hold, says the BBC's Nicholas Witchell.

The Costa living hits Brits in Spain
Brits who have moved to Spain talk about how surging inflation falling property prices and the strong Euro are impacting on them.

Top US TV journalist Russert dies
NBC News Washington Bureau Chief Tim Russert dies of a heart attack at the age of 58.

Alarm over Assam sex trade
The number of women trafficked from Assam into other parts of India for the purposes of prostitution has spiralled, writes the BBC's Subir Bhaumik

Shanghai: China's capitalist showpiece
As part of a series of features following the route of the Olympic torch around China, the focus turns to Shanghai.

US is told to revamp dollar notes
The US government is told to change the size or texture of dollars as it is difficult for blind people to tell them apart.

Innocent photographer or terrorist?
Amateur photographers say there is a growing problem of officials stopping them from taking pictures in public places.

Steep rise in Chinese food prices
Chinese food prices are up 21% this year, figures show, fuelling fears over inflation and the price of basic goods.

No vessel is safe from modern pirates
Pirates are not just mythological characters with peg legs, parrots and pistols but many still rule the high seas in some parts of the world.

In full: Smith ID card speech
Here is the full text of a speech at Demos in London by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith on the identity card scheme on 6 March 2008

Bankruptcy doubles over six years
The number of people filing for bankruptcy in Wales has doubled over six years, latest figures suggest.

Florida's Hispanics weigh their vote
Hispanic voters in Florida are set to be a key constituency once again both in the Republican primary and come the November presidential poll.

Recession in the US 'has arrived'
The feared recession in the US economy has already arrived, according to a report from Merrill Lynch.

Iraq: The trauma and the mistakes
BBC Baghdad correspondent Andrew North looks back at his time in Iraq since the US-led invasion in 2003.

Journalist's day in Pakistan
Jill McGivering in Islamabad describes her day covering Pakistan for the BBC's English language online, TV and radio services.

How to make tourism greener
The BBC's Stephanie Holmes explores the role of international tourism in exacerbating climate change and how governments are facing the challenge.