All Europe
Barcelona vs Madrid: Battling on the soccer field and offSpanish soccer rivals Barcelona and Real Madrid tied in a brilliant match yesterday, which was representative of a political battle as well: The Catalonian government is pursuing independence.- In French print media, Anglicisms are 'le buzz'Despite long being a bastion against foreign imports into the French language, French newspapers and magazines are undergoing 'un boom' in the use of Anglicisms.
Does Ivanishvili's win put Georgia back in Russia's orbit?Though President Saakashvili tried to paint him as a Russian puppet before this week's election, experts say Ivanishvili's 鈥� and Georgia's 鈥� relationship with Russia remains complex.
Russia keeps door open to Pakistan after Putin cancels tripRussian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov arrived in Islamabad yesterday in an apparent effort to smooth feathers ruffled in Pakistan by Putin's last- minute cancellation of his own scheduled visit.
How does Norway rehabilitate Anders Behring Breivik?Norway has had extraordinary success with its prison rehabilitation program, with one of the world's lowest recidivism rates. But it's never had to deal with a criminal like Breivik before.
Saakashvili's party loses as Georgian democracy takes step forwardGeorgian President Mikheil Saakashvili announced that his party would go into opposition, after being topped by the party of Georgian billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili in Monday's elections.
Blasphemy in democracy's birthplace? Greece arrests Facebook user.A Greek man could face two years in prison after being arrested last week for blasphemy after posting a Facebook page that satirized a famous Greek Orthodox monk.
Scottish independence: Who would get the nukes, and other questionsAs it considers a 2014 referendum on independence from Britain Scotland still has a litany of issues that must be resolved beforehand, including its role in the EU and NATO.
St. Petersburg's 'gay propaganda' law has LGBT Russians waryThe law has resulted in more than 70 arrests, though only one conviction, since being implemented in the spring. But some say it has also galvanized the community to stand up for itself.
Trial of pope's butler: Journalists admitted, but secret evidence notPaolo Gabriele, the once-trusted valet who used to dress the 85-year-old German pontiff, is charged under Vatican law with the 'aggravated theft' of confidential papers.
Georgia's elections pit anti-Russian president versus conciliatory challengerGeorgia's parliamentary elections, setting President Mikheil Saakashvili's party against opposition led by billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, are the most hotly contested in the country's modern era.
Why has it taken Britain eight years to extradite Abu Hamza?British extradition proceedings against the militant cleric Abu Hamza, wanted in the US on terror charges, began in 2004. But only this week has an end to the legal process become visible.
The Troubles are over. So why is Northern Ireland still so unsettled?Amid riots this summer by both loyalists and republicans, and with fears of more to come Saturday, some say the peace process itself has formalized seasonal violence.
In Kremlin's crosshairs? Russian tycoon Lebedev charged with hooliganismAlexander Lebedev, who has been an outspoken critic of the Pussy Riot verdict, could face up to five years in prison for punching a fellow tycoon on Russian television last year.
Amid Madrid protests, Catalonia bumps up elections in independence pushCatalonian leader Artur Mas moved up elections to force Madrid 鈥� already dealing with Spain's social and economic upheaval 鈥� to authorize a referendum on Catalonian secession.- Russian NGOs in panic mode over proposed 'high treason' lawRussia's new definition of high treason, which is likely to pass, could apply to any behavior that undermines 'constitutional order, sovereignty, and territorial and state integrity' in authorities' eyes.
Gay Germans tap Oktoberfest to make push for marriage rightsOktoberfest celebrations like 'Gay Sunday' this past weekend are helping gays and lesbians boost their visibility at a time when Germany is debating gay marriage.
As Anglican Church picks new leader, gay marriage weighs heavilyThe Anglican Church makes its final recommendation to government for a new Archbishop of Canterbury this week. Whoever gets the nod will have to resolve the church's split on gay marriage.- Euro crisis spurs Italy's 'big baby' boom: grown children living with parentsNew research says that a third of adult Italians 鈥� and more than 60 percent of young adults 鈥� live with their parents. Experts say that hard economic times have exacerbated the cultural phenom.
Amid opposition boycott, Belarus leader praises 'boring and calm' electionBelarus opposition parties boycotted, urging people to go fishing instead of voting in parliamentary elections marred by intimidation and fraud. President Lukashenko called the move cowardly.