All Europe
In Sweden, hawkish defense and feminist diplomacy make odd bedfellowsConcerned about Russia, Sweden has boosted its military spending to historic levels. Critics say that conflicts with Sweden鈥檚 foreign policy goals.
First Look鈥楶arting is such sweet sorrow鈥�: EU and UK clinch narrow Brexit accordWith only seven days to go before the deadline, the European Union and the United Kingdom agreed to a narrow Brexit deal.
In Sweden, pandemic inspires new generation to return to churchFor decades, the Church of Sweden has played a decreasing role in the country鈥檚 national life. But the pandemic appears to be changing that.
First LookBans on British travelers spawn crisis talks, traffic jamsBritish Prime Minister Boris Johnson has called for a meeting with his government's emergency committee as more countries suspend flights from the U.K. and trucks carrying goods are held up at the French-U.K. border.
First LookBritain orders London shops shut, Christmas gatherings canceled鈥淲e cannot proceed with Christmas as planned,鈥� Prime Minister Boris Johnson says as he places large areas in southern England on a new, higher Tier 4 alert to try to contain pandemic.
First LookBerlin's biggest restaurant offers food, warmth to the unhousedClosed to customers, Hofbraeu Berlin partnered with two welfare organizations to open its doors to the city鈥檚 homeless population. The restaurant, which serves 3,000 customers on a normal day, has been safely feeding about 150 people in need a day.
Europe wants to set green standards. Can it get the world to commit?Europe plans to use its Green New Deal to set new benchmarks in environmental standards. The challenge will be exporting them to other nations.
First LookIn a Bosnian municipal election, hope for post-ethnic politicsPolitical divisions resulted in the city of Mostar going 12 years without elections, to the benefit of incumbent political powers. Now, residents are going to the polls, including young people with no memory of the Bosnian war, or the ethnic lines it played out along.
Capitalism over culture? Moscow鈥檚 artists face eviction amid urban renewal.In the past few months, hundreds of artists have been evicted from their studios amid a massive Moscow urban renovation project.
Does 鈥榟uman rights champion鈥� France live up to its ideals at home?As French police come under criticism for violence and racism, some are noticing the disconnect between France鈥檚 human rights ideals and reality.
Difference MakerCoat as shelter: Designer Bas Timmer creates for people who have no homeA designer was motivated by the death of his friends鈥� father to make a garment for homeless people using excess fabric and workers who are refugees.
First LookWhy the tiny fishing industry plays a big role in Brexit talksFishing makes up only a fraction of the U.K.'s economy, but national pride underpins a rallying cry to protect the British fishing industry against EU competition. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not about economics, it鈥檚 about politics and the symbolism,鈥� says one industry expert.
For these 鈥榳ar children鈥� in London, grit and resilience come naturallyThe formative experiences of four Londoners in facing uncertainty have steeled them for a pandemic. A monthlong lockdown in England ended Tuesday.
First LookIn Kosovo, Albanian man finds meaning caring for Serb neighborBlagica Dicic, the only resident left in the ethnic Serb town of Vaganesh without family, needed a caregiver. Enter Fadil Rama, an ethnic Albanian who lives nearby who has known his neighbor since he was a child and wanted to pay her back for her good deeds.
First LookFrench protesters denounce bill outlawing use of police imagesTens of thousands of people across France marched on Saturday to protest a measure that would make it illegal to publish images of police with intent to cause them harm. Critics say the bill could hurt press freedoms and prevent efforts to report on police brutality.
On Russia鈥檚 flank, a small war heralds big changesThe recent Armenia-Azerbaijan war, a result of failed diplomacy, has thrown up a new victor and paved the way for Turkey to extend its influence.
No bookstores or haircuts? Europeans question pandemic edicts.In the second wave of the pandemic, rules to keep consumers at home are evolving. Small businesses worry they鈥檒l be permanently shortchanged.
First LookPolice sweep of Paris migrant camp stirs backlash, investigationFrench police officers forced migrants out of tents while evacuating a makeshift camp in Paris, prompting protests and an internal investigation into police conduct. Like other European nations, France has become tougher on illegal migration since 2015.
First LookEngland changes quarantine rules in bid to boost holiday travelThe British government announced Tuesday that travelers arriving in England from places not on its 'safe list' could have their quarantine reduced if they test negative for COVID-19. The mandate will take effect on Dec. 15.
Soccer star leads an awakening on child hunger in BritainWith 4 million children in poverty and a wobbly government response to hunger during the pandemic, citizens have rallied to address the need.
