All Europe
First LookParis 2024 Olympic Games bid lauded by Macron as chance to uphold 鈥榲alues鈥�Having lost bids to host the 1992, 2008, and 2012 Games, Paris is eager to win the honor of hosting the Olympics in 2024. President Macron strongly supports the bid as 鈥榯he best moment to defend鈥� French values, which he describes as 鈥榯hreatened.鈥�
On eve of Trump-Putin meeting, Russia asks: 'Can Trump deal?'The Kremlin sees the G20 meeting as an opportunity to gauge whether Trump 'is able to deliver on anything he talks about' 鈥� a possibility that Russian analysts increasingly doubt.
On world stage, Germany cautiously moves to the center as US eyes the wingsGermany has been reluctant to assert itself globally. But as relations with the US come under strain, Germans increasingly see the necessity of taking a leading international role 鈥� particularly with Angela Merkel as the steady hand.
First LookGermany legalizes same-sex marriageGerman Chancellor Angela Merkel encouraged lawmakers to be guided by their 'conscience' rather than by party affiliation. Although she did not vote in favor of the measure, she opened the way for members of any party to support its passage.
First LookGermany passes censorship law to fight online hate speechAs hate crimes increased by a reported 300 percent in the past two years, German lawmakers passed a law Friday requiring media organizations 鈥� including Facebook, Google, and Twitter 鈥� to remove 'fake news' from their sites.
Europe's Muslims start to grapple with touchy issue: Islamic terrorism as a community problemMuslims reject the idea that Islam is somehow to blame for terrorism by Islamic radicals. But Muslim leaders are beginning to tentatively acknowledge that their communities cannot shrug off all liability.
First LookCardinal leaves Vatican to face sexual abuse charges in AustraliaCardinal Pell is the highest-ranking Vatican official to face charges of sexual assault, adding to the church's long-running sexual abuse scandal and complicating Pope Francis's efforts toward reform amid 'zero tolerance' for sex crimes against children.
First LookGermany considers law to enforce free speech restrictions on social mediaWhile a proposed German law may have noble intentions 鈥� enforcing existing limits on free speech, such as Holocaust denial 鈥� critics object that it would pressure online giants such as Facebook and Twitter to delete questionable content before it鈥檚 deemed illegal.
First LookSerbia looks toward modernization with its likely first female prime ministerAna Brnabic wants to 'move boundaries' as future prime minister of Serbia if confirmed this week, which could include bringing the nation out from the shadow of Russia's influence.聽
First LookWould France's counter-terrorism bill violate public freedoms or protect its citizens?In an attempt to end the nation's state of emergency in effect since the 2015 terror attack, a proposed bill wants to expand police power. But Human Rights Watch says the law will lead to anti-Muslim rhetoric and fan societal prejudices.
First LookCan a divided Cyprus finally be unified? Peace summit begins this weekPeace talks will commence Wednesday in Switzerland to discuss the reunification of ethnically-divided Cyprus, and to hash out the related security oversight and territorial disputes, among other issues.
Portugal's forest fires, though never before as deadly, are all too familiarMonitor correspondent Catarina Fernandes Martins grew up in the region of central Portugal being ravaged by forest fires 鈥� a chronic problem there. But despite the understanding of the cause, few preventative measures have been taken.
First LookPrime minister May strikes deal with Northern Ireland for a stronger governmentA new deal with Northern Ireland's DUP could help Prime Minister Theresa May recover after a disastrous聽election. The announcement also sparks concern from Scotland and Wales about the deal's fairness.
First LookLondon police intensify investigation around Grenfell fire, with possible manslaughter chargesLaw enforcement officials consider charges of manslaughter after a criminal investigation exposes the tragic Grenfell Tower inferno was touched off by a refrigerator fire, in addition to exterior cladding that failed safety tests.
An offer Finns can't refuse? Helsinki woos car owners to give up their autos.Other cities have tried legal limits on when and where cars can drive. But in the Finnish capital, officials are trying to make a transit system so easy that it's preferable to car ownership.
First LookAfter London fire, hundreds of tower blocks tested for flammable claddingThe Grenfell Tower fire sparked safety concerns among London residents. Government inspections and a criminal investigation to examine cladding panels often added to the exterior of tower blocks is now under way.
First LookChurch of England 'colluded' to hide sex abuse, archbishop saysArchbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby apologized to the sexual assault victims of ex-bishop Peter Ball. The Church of England helped to hide the abuse, enabling the bishop's return to ministry for years before being rightfully prosecuted.
First LookQueen鈥檚 Speech outlines Brexit policies, backed by May鈥檚 commitment to listenFollowing a humbling election, Britain鈥檚 Prime Minister Theresa May promised to be a better listener to Brexit-related business concerns, as revealed in a Queen鈥檚 Speech dominated by policies aimed at leaving the EU. 聽
Moves against Polish museum and Hungarian university stir fears of censorshipIn both countries, concerns are being raised about the health of an open society, as one government makes changes at a war museum and the other threatens to close a university.
First LookEuroscepticism waning, EU wants to be seen as a solution, says EU鈥檚 TuskThe rising tide of anti-EU sentiments since Brexit has begun to ebb, says one EU leader, as political movements characterized by eurosceptic tendencies in France and Britain聽lose support.聽
