All Europe
A reporter hunts for 鈥楥arol of the Bells鈥� birthplace 鈥� in UkraineOver a century ago, a Ukrainian choirmaster wrote what became known as the 鈥淐arol of the Bells.鈥� Our writer sought out its birthplace in Pokrovsk.
The 鈥榁oltaire of the Arabs鈥� is lionized in France, but imprisoned in AlgeriaThe detention of Franco-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal in Algeria shows how the shadows of colonialism continue to haunt the world of French letters.
First LookA Russian general was killed by a bomb in Moscow. Ukraine claims responsibility.Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov was killed by Ukraine鈥檚 Security Service, or SBU, on Dec. 17. The SBU had opened an investigation linking him to the use of banned chemical weapons, which Russia has deployed more than 4,800 times since the war began, says聽the SBU.
Move over, Vikings. Sweden鈥檚 new seafaring heroes are knitting grannies.What better way to tell a true holiday story than with singing 鈥� and knitting? In Sweden, an island choir comes together to celebrate community.
First LookGeorgia elects pro-Russia president as EU hopes dimMikheil Kavelashvili鈥檚 victory聽is still challenged by the opposition who claim聽the election was rigged with Russia鈥檚 help. 鈥淭here is no legitimate parliament and thus no legitimate election,鈥� said Georgia鈥檚 outgoing president Salome Zourabichvili.
First LookEmmanuel Macron taps Fran莽ois Bayrou as the next French prime minister. Who is he?Fran莽ois Bayrou, the fourth new French prime minister in one year, faces a deepening political crisis. The veteran politician鈥檚 appointment is intended to bring stability to the bitterly split parliament.
With Assad鈥檚 ouster, Russia鈥檚 Mideast influence collapses. What will Moscow do now?Russia kept Syria鈥檚 Bashar al-Assad in power over the last decade. Now he鈥檚 gone. But setbacks in the Mideast are familiar to the Kremlin.
Five years after fire, a shining Notre Dame is ready to reopen its doorsAfter fire ravaged the Notre Dame cathedral, few believed the Parisian icon could be quickly restored to its former glory. But only five years later, it is set to reopen 鈥� lighter, brighter, and better protected from disaster than ever.
On Ukraine鈥檚 homefront, a DIY drone industry helps fill military鈥檚 needsUkrainians are assembling drones at home to help supply the military with the thousands it uses every month in the war with Russia.
First LookNo confidence: French lawmakers oust prime minister over budget woesFrance鈥檚 far-right and left-wing lawmakers have joined together to vote on a no-confidence motion that forces Prime Minister Michel Barnier and his Cabinet to resign. Mr. Barnier pushed through a contentious 2025 budget without parliamentary approval.
Where Nazis first won office, Germans are voting for right-wing extremistsIn the German region of Thuringia, where Nazis had their first electoral wins, the extreme right-wing AfD is now ascendant.
French women flock to Gis猫le Pelicot rape trial, 鈥榯o show her that she鈥檚 not alone鈥�The Pelicot rape trial聽is not just drawing media attention. The courthouse has become a gathering place for French people seeking to support Gis猫le Pelicot.
How century-old fashion is helping Ukrainians escape the grind of warWomen in the Ukrainian city of Sumy are escaping the war by exploring their home town's history through fashion using old photos to recreate costumes.
The ExplainerWith Netanyahu warrant, international court tests priorities of Israel鈥檚 alliesThe International Criminal Court鈥檚 warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant target two Israeli leaders. But they create tensions across a net of Western allegiances, especially in Europe.
In shifting world, post-Soviet states look back to a constant: RussiaMany of the countries that formed out of the Soviet Union aspired to link their future with the West. But European troubles and Russian aggressiveness are pulling their focus back toward Moscow.
Why many in Ukraine oppose a 鈥榣and for peace鈥� formula to end the warShould Ukraine surrender land to Russia to end the war? Opposition had been strong throughout the conflict, but Ukrainians are shifting on whether their territory is inviolate.聽
First LookHow wind and solar is restoring Ukraine鈥檚 energy and resisting Russian missile attacksRussia has consistently targeted Ukraine鈥檚 energy facilities, forcing companies to constantly rebuild and go weeks without power. Clean energy has begun to replace damaged coal and gas power plants, and it is proving more reliable and harder to destroy.
First LookEurope nations investigate cut cables in the Baltic Sea. Was it Russian sabotage?Communication cables linking Finland to Germany and Sweden to Lithuania have been cut. European governments say Russia did it, which it denies. 鈥淣o one believes that these cables were cut accidentally,鈥� says German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius.
First LookNow UK farmers have a reason to protest. They say a tax hike will destroy family farms.Thousands of farmers flooded the streets of London protesting an inheritance tax on agricultural land that they say would devastate family farms. The U.K. government says the tax would mainly affect rich individuals who bought farmland as an investment.
First LookUkraine has been waiting to strike deep into Russia. Is Biden鈥檚 approval too late?Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy can now use U.S.-built long range missiles to strike deep into Russia. The Biden administration gave him permission as North Korean troops come to Russia鈥檚 aid and Donald Trump prepares to take over the presidency.