All Europe
First LookEU falls behind in global 5G race. Will its economy suffer?As the world rushes to boost 5G infrastructure, the European Union is lagging behind, according to a report released this week. A slow rollout means lost economic progress as 5G is projected to add $1.1 trillion to the EU economy.
In a bid to live better, many Brits are breaking with boozeDrinking has long been interwoven with U.K. culture. But it has been declining amid the pandemic, as many Britons rethink their alcohol consumption.
First LookNATO rallies warplanes, ships in case Russia invades UkraineTensions at the Ukraine-Russia border are rising as diplomacy talks in recent days have failed. Amid fears of a Russian invasion of Ukraine, EU member nations are uniting under the NATO banner to prevent military action from Russia.聽
First LookRussia denies plot to replace Ukraine leader. US orders families home.The U.S.聽ordered the families of diplomats at the American Embassy in Ukraine to go home amid fears of a Russian invasion. Russia denied a British claim of a Kremlin plan to put a pro-Russia lawmaker in charge of Ukraine.聽 聽
First LookRussia working to install pro-Moscow government in Kyiv, Britain saysBritain cites an intelligence assessment, without providing evidence. U.S. calls British assessment 鈥榙eeply concerning鈥� and says it stands with the duly elected Ukrainian government.
Why tensions with the West are driving Russians to get revaccinatedThe squabbles between Russia and the West over whether to recognize each other鈥檚 vaccines are hampering Russians who travel between East and West.
For British public, anger at Boris boils down to questions of fairnessThe pandemic seems to be changing the rules for what鈥檚 acceptable behavior by government officials in the U.K. That鈥檚 bad news for Boris Johnson.
First LookMore Russian troops head to Ukraine's border as diplomacy stallsRussia announced on Tuesday that it is sending troops to southern Belarus, adding to the 100,000 soldiers already stationed near the Russia-Ukraine border. The move further increases tensions between the Kremlin and the West as diplomatic efforts continue.
Pandemic spurs comeback for indie booksellers 鈥� and reading 鈥� in SpainIndependent bookstores have flourished in Spain during the pandemic, as readers take lockdown time to seek distraction from current events.
First LookOf the four most important EU jobs, three are now held by womenRoberta Metsola has become the third female president of the European Parliament, the first woman since 1999. Ms. Metsola,聽a聽海角大神 Democrat from Malta,聽is the youngest person to hold the position, and has vowed to modernize and strengthen the legislative body.聽
First LookMigrants stuck: Latvia, Lithuania, Poland restrict Belarus borderThousands of migrants who tried to cross the Belarus-Poland border in November 2021 have been repatriated, but others remain stranded in forested areas along the border. As temperatures drop, aid groups hoping to help the migrants have been denied.
Why some Europeans hesitate at Biden鈥檚 fight against authoritariansAn opinion poll of 20 democracies shows lukewarm support in Europe for forming alliances to confront authoritarian states like China and Russia.聽
First LookRacially diverse dolls are in demand, but production is not easyBritish parents and children want toys that represent their diverse identities. Even though the market demand is increasing, Black dollmakers are searching for solutions to production challenges and struggling to find investors and secure loans.聽
What鈥檚 in a name? For Russia鈥檚 鈥楶utin Generation,鈥� not as much as you鈥檇 think.The 鈥淧utin Generation鈥� did not experience the deprivations of their forebears. Their outlook will likely have a profound effect on Russia鈥檚 future.
How the Kazakhstan crisis reveals a bigger post-Soviet problemThough the chaos in Kazakhstan appears to have ended, it has highlighted weak nation-states in much of Russia鈥檚 post-Soviet sphere.
First LookUS and Russian diplomats meet to reduce tensions over UkraineU.S. and Russian officials met for dinner in Geneva on Sunday to begin a string of scheduled meetings in three European cities this week to reduce tensions over Ukraine.
Gender parity in Germany: How much did Merkel pave the way?Angela Merkel refused to call herself a feminist, but the former German chancellor set an example that has set a path to female leadership today.聽- Coyote-like golden jackal is laying claim to Europe. Why now?The golden jackal was once found mostly east of the Balkans. But now it is appearing across Europe, including Italy, and ecologists aren't sure why.
The ExplainerUK and France are butting heads over migration. Is Brexit to blame?As migrants risk the English Channel to enter the U.K., relations between Paris and London have soured. A key cause is Brexit and all it has undone.
Rome in the dark? Bike tours of buried quarry offer new view of city.Not all Roman attractions are found above ground. Some are subterranean 鈥� and in the case of the Great Quarry of Rome, can be traveled by bike tours.
