All Europe
First LookSpain鈥檚 vote: Far-right Vox stumbles, political power struggle loomsIn Spain鈥檚 recent election, there鈥檚 political deadlock: the far-right Vox party was foiled in its attempt to seize power. While the conservative Popular Party emerged victorious, it fell short of ousting Prime Minister S谩nchez as polling data had predicted.
In Ukraine, summer camps provide kids a 鈥榗hildhood during war鈥�Children are both remarkably resilient and vulnerable. However hard a society may try to shelter its children, a war such as Ukraine鈥檚 invades lives. For kids who have experienced loss, these summer camps are a corrective.
First LookQuran desecration in Sweden sparks global protest waveProtests erupted in Muslim-majority nations like Iraq, Lebanon, and Iran over Quran desecration in Sweden. After storming Sweden鈥檚 Baghdad embassy, protestors demonstrated peacefully, but the evacuated Swedish staff were relocated to Stockholm.
Why Russia鈥檚 grain deal snub isn鈥檛 just about attack on Kerch BridgeRussia鈥檚 withdrawal from a deal allowing Ukrainian grain to get to global markets isn鈥檛 simply a matter of spite. The agreement helped Kyiv and grain buyers, but not Russia, Moscow says.
First LookCluster bombs: Putin warns retaliation for US-armed UkraineAfter the United States delivered cluster bombs to support Ukraine鈥檚 counteroffensive, Russian President Vladimir Putin,聽amid intensifying fighting, threatened retaliation if Ukraine uses them. The bombs have been condemned for their threat to civilians.
First LookFor Ukrainian women left behind, painting is a form of therapyFor some Ukrainian women who have lost their partners in the war, painting has offered a therapeutic way to cope with grief. The project, called 鈥淎live. True Stories of Love,鈥� honors those who have died, in addition to providing comfort to their partners.
In birthplace of the beach holiday, where are the tourists?Despite being the original spots for beach getaways, England鈥檚 seaside towns can鈥檛 compete with today鈥檚 foreign tour packages. That is spurring them to rethink their approach to tourism.
First LookFrance celebrates Bastille Day, with extra police presenceFrance is celebrating its national holiday Friday with a grand Bastille Day parade in Paris. President Macron is also deploying 130,000 police around the country to prevent a new outbreak of unrest following last month's killing of 17-year-old Nahel.
NATO summit puts Ukraine鈥檚 ambitions on hold, but G7 offers hopeThe competing interests at this week鈥檚 NATO summit in Lithuania seemed to play out without diplomatic cover or subtlety. The biggest challenge is simply framed: How could the West support Ukraine without overcommitting?
First LookNATO welcomes Sweden, but Ukraine's frustration growsUkrainian President Zelenskyy expressed impatience at the absence of a clear timeline for Ukraine鈥檚 entry to NATO. The tension was eased by Turkey withdrawing objections to Sweden鈥檚 accession, a decision praised by President Joe Biden.
Now playing at Odesa鈥檚 opera house: Renewal and hopeHow relevant is opera? In the Ukrainian Black Sea port of Odesa, what has been dismissed as elitist elsewhere has emerged as a pillar of community strength and support.
First LookPutin met with Prigozhin days after rebellion, Kremlin saysDays after a short-lived rebellion by a private army, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, the Kremlin said. Mr. Prigozhin鈥檚 fate and whereabouts are currently uncertain.
First LookUnity is key, say experts anticipating debates at NATO summitIn advance of NATO's annual summit this week, disagreements between key leaders are evident at a time some say an outward show of solidarity is vital.
The Houses of Parliament is falling down. What is to be done?British legislators cannot agree on how to go about renovating the Houses of Parliament, which is in a dire state of disrepair. Can they avoid disaster?
First LookCan France ignore race? Police say yes, human rights activists say no.The death of French teenager Nahel last week sent France into another wave of protests and riots. Protesters and the United Nations have referred to the incident as a case of racism, calling the country鈥檚 legal disregard for race into question.
In French protests, a demand for dignityIn France, protests and rioting exploded after a Franco-Algerian teen was killed by police. Monday saw signs of calm after six days of violence.
First LookGrandmother of French teen killed by cop asks rioters to 鈥榗alm things down鈥�The grandmother of 17-year-old Nahel told BFM TV she was angry at the officer who killed her grandson but expressed faith in the justice system, as France faces its worst social upheaval in years.
First LookDutch king apologizes for Netherlands鈥� role in slavery on abolition anniversaryThe historic apology is part of a wider reckoning with colonial histories in the West that have been spurred in recent years by the Black Lives Matter movement.
First LookFrance ups police presence after protests against police violenceFrance has erupted in protests, many violent, after a video of a French police officer killing a 17-year-old was released on Tuesday. The French president has labeled the killing, which is being investigated as voluntary manslaughter, 鈥渦njustifiable.鈥�
Letter from 鈥楪lasto鈥�: Kid packs, wilderness wipes, and 鈥楻ocket Man鈥�The Glastonbury music festival turns a patch of English pasture into one of the happiest places on Earth. The challenge: how to participate, in comfort, with a 2-year-old son and pregnant wife.
