The BBC's Jonathan Marcus assesses President Sarkozy's attempt to re-energise France's role in the Middle East.

Government safeguards offered in its counter terrorism bill are "inadequate", say MPs and peers.

The full text of Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg's first big speech in the job - on public services.

The state should "back off" and give other organisations a bigger role in public services, says the Lib Dem leader.

Traditional play is disappearing and so are children from public spaces, says a new report. Kids are now told where, when and how they can play and it isn't working for anyone. The solution?

Ruth Lea of Global Vision and Charles Grant of the Centre for European Reform argue for and against the EU's new treaty.

Claims the European Commission is seeking to interfere in UK higher education are refuted.

The government is warned to safeguard UK universities' interests against European Commission plans.

Iran's political system - inherited from the Islamic revolution in 1979 - combines democratic and military forces checked by an overarching religious authority.

A claim by Gambian President Yahya Jammeh that he can cure Aids is lambasted by a leading HIV specialist.

Legal affairs analyst Jon Silverman examines the banned Christian union group's legal argument.

As part of BBC Wales' Me and My Health series, Professor Marcus Longley looks at how the NHS is structured in Wales.

Jon Silverman analyses the High Court ruling that anti-terrorism control orders break European human rights laws.

The BBC's John Simpson describes a disrupted day in the trial of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.

New German Chancellor Angela Merkel calls for stronger ties with the US on her first full day in office.

Israel and Egypt have agreed a deal on re-opening key Gaza border crossings, the Israeli defence minister says.

Poland will see a duel between two centre-right leaders in presidential elections on Sunday.

The diplomatic row over Iran's nuclear programme highlights the complexity of dealing with the Islamic Republic, says the BBC's Jonathan Marcus.

Many politicians believe the justice system must adapt to meet the threat of Islamic extremism, says legal affairs analyst Jon Silverman.

United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan wants world leaders to agree on a universal definition of terrorism.