All Europe
First LookEU rejects May's exit plan as Brexit loomsIn a series of meetings between the EU and the UK, both sides left empty-handed as Prime Minister Theresa May's government feels increasing political pressure in London and the final date for Brexit approaches in March.聽
In struggle over Ukrainian Orthodox communion, a political hornet鈥檚 nestOrthodox leaders in Ukraine are attempting to create a national church. But their success would likely result in a political schism, as parishes that were once spiritually allied to Moscow would be forced to orient toward Kiev.
First LookWith Catalan politicians still in Spanish prison, dialogue stumblesIt has been almost one year since Catalans voted to separate from Spain. The government in Madrid reacted by imprisoning many Catalonian political leaders, and that continues to be a source of tension for a resolution over the issue of independence.聽
Putin's war games send signal to West, but Russia-China alliance unlikelyThe Vostok 2018 war games in Siberia may look to some like an indicator of an impending Sino-Russian alliance. But experts say the exercises are not as grand as they appear and are less an omen than a word of warning to the West.
First LookAnti-Putin protests now led by Russian youthUnder Russian President Putin's leadership, protests have been primarily dominated by middle-aged people, but anti-Western attitudes, alleged corruption, and strict moral doctrine have left young people frustrated.
First LookBaptist pastor starts nonprofit to restore post-Holocaust cemeteriesSteven Reece has been cleaning up forgotten cemeteries in Eastern Europe for years. He hopes to honor victims and the current Jewish community, while also building understanding between 海角大神s and Jews.聽
In Albania, new Turkish mosque stirs old resentmentsAlbania is short of mosques, and Turkey is building one in the capital for free. So why are Albanian Muslims not all happy about this?
First LookSteve Bannon hopes to unite Europe's populists under 'The Movement'Following his exit from the Trump White House, Steve Bannon is heading to Europe to forge a coalition among Europe's right-wing to take control of the European Parliament and challenge the future of the EU.
First LookWho will rule in Sweden? Election results bring uncertainty.Preliminary elections results from Sweden show no single party winning a majority, making it unclear who will govern the country. Meanwhile, the far-right Sweden Democrats won more than 17 percent of the vote, an increase from the 13 percent it gained four years earlier.
Finland used the swastika before the Nazis. Why do they still?The swastika was introduced to the Finnish military in 1918, before the rise of the Nazi party in Germany. The symbol is still used in the official emblem of the Finnish Air Force, and Finns are generally just fine with that.
First LookTrans students return to schools ill-prepared to support themTransgender students around the world are struggling to receive an education amid a backdrop of bullying and misunderstanding. While some schools choose to accommodate these pupils through updated policies, such as gender-neutral bathrooms, others refuse to adapt.聽
First LookThe rise of the imama: women-led mosques are growingNegative stereotypes abound of how women are treated under Islam. But there's a new movement of women-led mosques who are challenging this, and making both Muslims and non-Muslims think differently about the faith.聽
First LookUK indicts two Russian spies in Salisbury poisoningAfter months of mystery and diplomatic rancor 鈥� Britain now claims to have identified those responsible for the poisoning of a former Russian spy and his daughter last March. While Russia denies any involvement, the indictment marks a first step toward transparency.聽
Brexit and North Korea: Why 'breakthroughs' falter
First LookFar-right party in Sweden finds traction in anti-immigrant voteSunday's general election will be the latest test for European populist far-right forces. Some voters are turning to the Sweden Democrats, which has its roots in a neo-Nazi movement, because of worries that Muslim immigrants threaten Sweden's聽egalitarian ethos.
With summer's end, France's annual 'fresh start' truly arrivesFrench life does not match the calendar year. The annual cycle begins with the rentr茅e: literally 鈥渢he return,鈥� but colloquially the end of the summer holidays and nothing less than a national fresh start.聽
At Asia's heart, Lake Baikal stirs Russians to protect natureEnvironmental protections are often reactive, coming only after pristine areas have succumbed to pollution and degradation. But on Siberia's Lake Baikal, care for nature has always been a way of life.聽Fifth in a five-part series.
Why Russia isn鈥檛 flinching at snowballing US sanctionsSanctions are often seen as an effective tool for encouraging nations to change their behavior. But when it comes to Russia, the United States may soon learn that too many sanctions can have an opposite effect.
The Kremlin pushes pension reform, but the Russian public pushes backAfter years of avoiding it, the Kremlin finally has decided to grasp the third rail of Russian politics: pension reform. The plan to raise retirement ages is stirring deep public resistance.
Once banished by czars, a centuries-old sect finds new life in modern RussiaIt sounds like fiction: a religious group exiled to Siberia in the 1600s and later persecuted by the Soviets. But that鈥檚 the history of聽Buryatia鈥檚 Old Believers, who are now being welcomed back into Russian society.聽Fourth in a five-part series.
