Brazil's new beginnings
The victory of Lula in Brazil's presidential elections could begin a new chapter in that country's history. Hisham El-Naggar reports from Buenos Aires

France stands up
As American pressure mounts, France has announced a "European front" against the use of force against Iraq, writes David Tresilian in Paris

The crunch is coming
Tony Blair's gang-ho calls for going to war in Iraq did not square well within his own party, reports Gavin Bowd from London

Battling over Bouake
Ivory Coast's neighbours put together a tentative peace plan but the Ivorian government turns it down, writes Gamal Nkrumah

Musharraf's bid for legitimacy
Pakistanis go to the polls, but real power will remain with the military, reports Iffat Malik from Islamabad

The nationalists' return
The nationalist parties that led Bosnia into war 10 years ago are back with a vengeance. Adisa Busuladzic reports from Sarajevo