Newsline - 18 March 2010: Can the EU's foreign policy chief broker peace in the Middle East? A row erupts in Brussels over a decision to invite Congolese troops to a national day parade. Drilling begins on Amsterdam's new North/South metro line, but the project has divided the city in two.

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EU wades in to broker Middle East peace
The European Union's foreign policy supremo Catherine Ashton visited Gaza today in an attempt to get peace talks between Israel and Palestine back on track. Her trip comes after failed US efforts to achieve the same goal - we ask correspondent Irris Makler whether the EU can do any better?

Congolese soldiers cause outrage in Belgium
Brussels' decision to invite soldiers from the Democratic Republic of Congo was designed to "normalise" strained relations between Belgium and its former colony, but appears to have backfired dramatically. As the UN accuses the Congolese army of killing thousands of civilians, RNW's correspondent Vanessa Mock says the issue has erupted into a scandal.

Drilling starts on a wing and a prayer
Work started on Amsterdam's new North/South metro line today, with the drilling of a tunnel to connect both sides of the city. But far from bringing the capital together, this over-budget, delayed project has proved extremely divisive. Listen to a report by Marijke Peters.