All Europe
Wagner鈥檚 finale? Prigozhin鈥檚 death marks Russian shift in strategy.The death of Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin in a plane crash, the latest Kremlin irritant neutralized in suspect circumstances, likely means the end of Russia鈥檚 use of mercenaries in its foreign policy.
First LookMercenary leader Prighozin may have been in fatal plane crash near MoscowThe crash immediately raises suspicions since the fate of the founder of the Wagner private military company has been the subject of intense speculation ever since he mounted a mutiny earlier this year.
First LookWith US approval, Denmark and Netherlands announce F-16s for UkrainePresident Zelenskyy, who traveled to both countries to finalize the deals, says the move will boost Ukraine鈥檚 confidence and motivation. He vowed to retaliate for a Russian missile strike on a theater Saturday that killed 7 and wounded scores.
Following Xi鈥檚 lead? Russia takes closer look at Chinese ideology.Is Russia鈥檚 future aligned with China? Many in Moscow think so, seeing the two countries鈥� visions aligning not just geopolitically, but also ideologically聽鈥� though it may cost Russia considerably.
Mud and thirst: Two Ukraine cities cope with dam鈥檚 destructionThe destruction wrought by the blasting of a Ukraine dam is vast and long-lasting. In two cities more than 100 miles apart, residents deploy different coping mechanisms to endure an event that has transformed their lives.
Is Niger鈥檚 coup a sign that France鈥檚 influence in the Sahel is over?Niger and France have been mutually dependent on each other for decades. But the coup in Niger has shaken their relationship, as well as French ties with the broader Sahel region.
The Ukrainian cafe serving soldiers free food and motherly loveNataliia Bilovol鈥檚 cafe is not a normal pit stop. She and her team serve up 2,500 free meals a day and loving motherly care to Ukrainian soldiers.
US-Ukraine space project taught resilience, innovation. Why it鈥檚 over.A fruitful decadelong program of U.S.-Ukrainian cooperation in space has ended, a victim of Russia鈥檚 war against Ukraine and other forces.
They like the nightlife: 鈥楴ight mayors鈥� revive cities after duskSince the pandemic devastated downtowns, night mayors have relied on the power of persuasion to help cities regrow their nightlife in ways that respect all parties.
Kremlin鈥檚 anti-trans law leaves many Russians asking, 鈥榃ho鈥檚 next?鈥�The Kremlin鈥檚 ban on gender-affirming care聽signals an acceleration of Russia鈥檚 authoritarian drift, with treatment of trans people as a signal to distinguish Russia from the West.
As Ukrainians slog through minefields, what they need most is timeIn the best of circumstances, advancing through minefields while minimizing losses is time-consuming for armies. As Ukraine struggles to expel Russia, it hopes not to exhaust its allies鈥� patience.
First LookAmid brutal heat, Europeans offer air conditioning a cool embraceEuropeans have long shunned air conditioning, tolerating even the most intense heat. But amid a brutal heatwave, where breezes are far and few between, some are beginning to give AC a second look.
First LookTwo drone attacks in Moscow this week. Who is behind them?Moscow is sweeping up after two recent drone strikes. On Sunday and Tuesday, drones shot down by the Russian military blew out part of a floor of windows on a high-rise building and sent glass cascading to the streets below. There were no fatalities.
First LookItaly鈥檚 double trouble: Soaring migration meets labor shortageDespite her campaign pledges, Italy鈥檚 Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has struggled to control a surge in migration. Due to the country鈥檚 growing labor shortages, her administration has been compelled to issue a larger number of work visas for migrants.
Hotel? Office? Mushroom farm? Unused French churches get new roles.France has too many empty church buildings. No one wants to tear them down, but how do towns find new purposes for them while navigating sensitivities about those new roles?
Special delivery: This Frenchman builds community, letter by letterAt a time when letter writing has gone the way of the quill pen, a bicycle delivery messenger and his team are helping to build the social bridges the digital world threatens to tear down.
Russian attacks on grain exports challenge Ukraine, and the worldRussia has launched near-nightly attacks on Ukrainian export facilities since it withdrew from the Black Sea Grain Initiative, reviving concerns for worsening global food security.
Britons favor 鈥榗ontrolled openness鈥� over closed door as immigration soarsU.K. immigration rates are at record levels, but, unlike the government, the public now seems unconcerned with an issue that once stirred angry passion.
First LookWildfires in Greece engulf island of Rhodes as tourists seek safetyFor the seventh straight day, Greece continues to battle devastating wildfires that are forcing widespread evacuations and damaging property. Firefighters are battling flames throughout the affected regions.聽
Odesa鈥檚 reply to Russian missiles: Unity, volunteerism, resolveA Russian bombing campaign launched with Russia鈥檚 withdrawal from the Black Sea grain deal has targeted Odesa鈥檚 port and grain silos. But it has also targeted the city鈥檚 culture and heart. Odesans are unbowed.
