All Europe
In famously slender France, can the tide turn against 'fatphobia'?Though France has a reputation as a country of slim women and slender men, nearly half of all French people are overweight. Now it is seeing a new 'body positive' movement that encourages tolerance of plus-size physiques.
First LookCatalan separatists push for Puigdemont to return as presidentThree pro-independence Catalan political parties support self-exiled Carles Puigdemont for president of Catalonia, though he has not returned from Brussels since October for fear of arrest by Spanish authorities. The legality of a Puigdemont presidency remains unclear.
Can rising Polish pride coexist with Poles' enthusiasm for the EU? So far, yes.Last month, the EU triggered a never-before-used procedure to attempt to force Poland to halt politicization of its courts, putting Warsaw and Brussels on a collision course. But while Poles back their government, they also still support the EU as well.
First LookBritain considers 'latte levy' to limit coffee cup wasteIn an effort to lessen paper waste in Britain, a committee of British lawmakers propose implementing a levy which would tax customers who used single-use coffee cups.
In Finland, a WWII film epic spurs praise, introspection'The Unknown Soldier' has been seen by more than 940,000 Finns. Some of that is due to its cinematic grandeur. But some is also due to the sober look it takes at Finland's bygone war with its powerful neighbor, even as Russia reasserts her military power today.
FocusIceland has largely kicked teen drinking. What can it teach other countries?In the last two decades, Icelandic teens have embraced sobriety under a program that asks families and communities to rethink adolescent freedoms. Some are trying to export this model to Europe and the US.
First LookItalian prime minister meets with president before dissolving parliamentPrime Minister Paolo聽Gentiloni defended the record of his year-old government and said he would remain in office and ensure continuity "until a new government is in place."
First LookCould Ukrainian prisoner exchange signal progress toward peace?On Wednesday, Russian-backed separatists exchanged 74 captives for the release of 233 people detained by the Ukrainian government.
As Spanish ham goes global, will Spaniards be priced out of a holiday delicacy?Jam贸n ib茅rico de bellota is a staple of Spanish holiday fare from Christmas through Epiphany. But as international demand and local shortages cause prices to spike to almost $50 per pound, many are being forced to rethink their menus.
First LookBanned from Russian election, Alexei Navalny calls for boycott聽Alexei Navalny, an anti-corruption campaigner and President Putin's most prominent rival, called for a boycott. The Kremlin hinted that the call might be illegal.聽
A pastoral lost: the withering of Russia's old Soviet farms and villagesState farms like Komsomolskoye were once building blocks of the Soviet system, and heirs to Russia's ancient village culture. But today they are almost ghost towns, with mere handfuls of pensioners still calling them home 鈥� risking the loss of a whole way of life.
In LGBT-welcoming Britain, Church of England tries to find its pathAnglican membership in Britain has shrunk radically in recent decades, particularly among youth. One cause is Britons' embrace of LGBT issues, which has outpaced the church's. But the church's efforts to respond are causing internal tensions.
First LookEU outlines final Brexit transition dateThe European Union has set January 2021 as the exit date for Britain to leave the EU. Throughout the transition period, Britain is expected to maintain a non-voting spot in meetings, but will not be included in EU treaties.
First LookHoliday cheer persists in Germany despite a long government transitionEven as Angela Merkel has failed to form a government and coalition talks have collapsed, Germans and the interim government are continuing with business as usual. Experts worry a crisis is looming but most citizens are unperturbed.聽
Trolls, ogres, and giant cats: How Iceland celebrates ChristmasIceland's Christmas traditions derive from Norse paganism and a time when people, without electricity, were desperate to fend off darkness. With less than five hours of sunlight a day in winter, that longing remains, staved off by candles and the 'Christmas book flood.'
First LookBritain and EU leaders enter second stage of Brexit talksBritain and the European Union are poised to move forward with Brexit discussions after coming to agreements on the UK-EU land border in Ireland and Britain's bill for leaving the EU.
In Romania, royal funeral prompts regretsThe former King Michael of Romania, who will be buried on Saturday, ruled during World War II and was exiled by the Communists. Amid political unrest today, mourners are nostalgic about what he came to represent.
Kremlin's four-hour presser leaves key question unanswered: after Putin, what next?Russia's 2018 presidential election will likely not be a cliffhanger. What happens in 2024, when President Putin could end an unprecedented fourth term, is far less clear. He聽does have a plan, experts say聽鈥� but it's not necessarily handing off power.
First LookNew Polish prime minister meets with EU leaders, aims to solidify tiesPoland's new prime minister聽Mateusz Morawiecki met with EU leaders for the first time in an effort to strengthen ties between Poland and the EU. Poland's controversial stance on refugees and issues of governance and rule of law have strained relations in recent years.聽
Brexit: Could Britain change its mind?In a show of what the press has dubbed 'Bregret,' more British voters now think it was the wrong choice to leave the EU than still think it was the right decision.
