BRUSSELS — Perhaps nothing has evoked modern-day threats of a “new Cold War” like the testy relations between Moscow and NATO, the alliance set up in 1949 to counter threats from the Soviet Union and, after 1955, its Warsaw Pact satellites. Just this week, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev announced plans to rapidly modernize his country’s armed forces, including its nuclear capabilities. The announcement came less than two weeks after NATO resumed high-level talks with Russia put on hold last summer during the war in Georgia.

BRUSSELS — As the North Atlantic Treaty Organization gears up to celebrate its 60th anniversary April 3-4, there are nasty whispers — behind its back, in front of its face and down its halls — about whether the sexagenarian is fit for what many consider its most strenuous task ever: the war in Afghanistan.

DUBLIN — The Irish seem to take a wicked pleasure in tearing down those among them who reach the heights of fame. It’s called begrudgery. Bono is getting a taste of it. The U2 lead singer has been getting a lot of hits — not of the musical kind —  from fellow citizens of late over taxes.

AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands — In the back street cannabis den, a French-speaking Arab youth with a pierced lower lip and a rhinestone encrusted baseball cap leans across the bar to order his fix of choice. "Hot chocolate, please," he intones in heavily accentuated English. "With whipped cream?" asks the fresh-faced young barrista in the 420 Cafe. "Yes, please.”