Between 1999 and 2004, Europe suffered over a 100 major floods. They caused about 700 deaths, the displacement of half a million people and at least 25 billion ? in insured economic losses.Once again this year the Elbe flooded and the Danube literally smashed its record reaching levels never before seen in Budapest.Increasingly often, the danger of flooding originates in the mountains when torrential rains provoke flash floods which are extremely destructive. Mainly in the semi-aridzones of the Mediterranean basin.
Interviews:
Jean Pascal van Ypersele,Climate ... continua

The sun has been shining for several billion years and will shine for several more. It provides earth with solar power and makes life possible.
In the upcoming decades scientists are hoping to copy the energy source of the sun here on earth, in so-called fusion reactors.
Interviews:Akko Maas,ITER Team/IPP Rijnhuizen, Netherlands
Michel Chatelier, CEA Caderache, France
Gianfranco Federici, ITER Garching
Joachim Roth, MPI/IPP Garching, Germany
Ursel Fantz, MPI/IPP Garching, Germany
Vladimir Barabash, ITER Team/NIIEFA St. Petersburg, Russia
Kaname Ikedia, ITER ... continua

Software makers in Europe rise to the challenge of more sophisticated computer programmes.Software ERRORS have been implicated in several plane accidents in the last twenty years. There have also been a number of high-tech space projects lost due to malfunctioning programmes.
Interviews:
Lion Benjamins, Promise project, HelsinkiAndreas Hedler, InMedias, P. HennigsdorfGerd Grosse, Cognidata, Bad VibelVeronique Pevtschin, Nessi Project, BrusselsDario Avallone, Engineering, RomeBruno Nouzille, Thales Group, ParisMaddy Janse, Philips, EindhovenJohn Stark, Promise ... continua

Bien que la grande majorité des patients reçoive des soins de santé dans leur propre pays, ceux-ci sont parfois mieux fournis à l’étranger. Cela peut être le cas, par exemple, pour des soins très spécialisés ou dans le cas des zones frontalières où le plus proche service approprié se trouve de l’autre côté de la frontière.  La nouvelle directive proposée mettrait en application des règles définissant les droits des patients concernant le remboursement des honoraires pour le traitement médical à l'étranger. La proposition, qui serà adoptée ... continua

200 kilometres from Budapest, the Hortobagy National Park is one of Europe's most beutiful natural sites: over 80,000 hectares of grasslands, steppes and wetlands offering an exceptional mosaic of flora and fauna. The park belongs to the Natura 2000 European network. (Natura map) Across Europe, some 25,000 sites have been made part of this network in order to protect and manage wild species and the rarest and most endangered habitas in Europe.
Interviews:Dr Szilvia Gori, Life Project coordinator
Istvan Kappocsi, Conservation Biologist
Gerard Jadoul, Life Project ... continua

Tito Mora has been a successful singer in Spain for many years.His most precious souvenir: probably this golden disc. The very first to be awarded in Spain When we listen to the old songs it's always with a little bit of nostalgia for the past. A time before one of the most difficult periods of this life. Interviews:Tito Mora, patient Tapani Piha, European Commission Dr Rafael Matesanz, National Transplant Organisation Dr Andres Varela, Puerta de Hierro Hospital Dr Arie Ossterlee, Eurotransplant International Foundation Visit the site: www.mostra.com

Visit the site: www.mostra.com

Two years ago, a tsunami struck Southeast Asia, leaving up to 230,000 dead in its wake. A similar scenario could happen on Europe s coasts, with the eastern Mediterranean being particularly vulnerable. European scientists are studying the question and hope to develop a warning system for coastal populations.
The Mediterranean region has already been a victim of tsunamis in the past and there is every reason to believe that others will occur in the future. The TRANSFER and SAFER projects, supported by the European Commission under the Sixth Framework Programme for ... continua

Erika and Prestige. These two names are synonymous with tragedies that highlighted the vulnerability of Europe's coastline. In response to these disasters, the EuropeanUnion took a series of supplementary measures to make its seas safer.
Interviews:Commissioner Jacques Barrot, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of transports
Alfons Guinier, Secretary General, European Community Shipowners' Association
Captain Jim Bird, Nautical Surveyor, Southampton Marine Office
Francois Lamoureux, General Director, European Commission
Robin Middleton, Secretary ... continua