In a free society, people should be able to express themselves and their opinions as they see fit. However, recently in France, legislation has come into effect that effectively bans the wearing of a burqa, the full-body Islamic veil, in a public area or space (wearing a burqa in a public school has been banned since 2004). French authorities say that only about 1,900 women wear the burqa or the niqab, two versions of the full covering with a mesh or slit for the eyes. This amounts to 0.038 percent of France’s Muslim population.

Compiled by the New University Editorial Board.

Our photographers take you around town with some images from the past week.

Compiled by Gregory Yee, Maxine Wally and Ryan Wallace, Staff Writers.

INTERNATIONAL: UCI bolsters technological use in medicine with a recent collaboration with U of E and NBN.

PROTEST: Members of the Los Angeles area assembled for the marginalized countries of Lybia and Syria.

LISTEN: RadioFlag combines traditional radio with newfangled social media, creating a new way to listen.

SPENDING: Our alarming national debt is being put on display by the Young Americans for Liberty.

The New University sat down with 11 of the 14 ASUCI executive board candidates to ask them about their platforms, strengths and qualifications.

STAGE: “Rafta, Rafta...” makes its successful West Coast theater debut in San Diego.

PARASITE: New features prove that the latest entry into the “Parasite Eve” series is a delightful play.

FESTIVAL: For those lucky enough to go this year, here are the acts to check out at Coachella 2011.

PASTICHE: This remake of the 1981 comedy falls short at almost every level imaginable.

CLU: Daft Punk’s superb orchestral soundtrack to “TRON: Legacy” gets an electronic spin.