All Europe
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.
First LookBritain details plan to maintain stability in case of no-deal BrexitThe government is preparing for all scenarios if Britain leaves the European Union in seven months without a deal. The plan reveals the scope of potential disruption to the British economy and daily life.
First LookMerkel, Putin will discuss Trump worries at meetingGerman Chancellor Angela Merkel and Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet Saturday to discuss worries about President Trump's foreign relations strategy as well as Syria's civil war, the conflict in Ukraine, and a gas pipeline 鈥� criticized by Mr. Trump as Russian control over Germany.聽
Russia takes a new look at an old enemy: Genghis KhanIt isn't easy for the conquered to see the contributions that a conqueror made to their country. It's even harder when that conqueror is Genghis Khan in Russia. But in the republic of Buryatia, the view is indeed shifting. Third in a five-part series.
Can tourist meccas beat the heat?A heat wave in Europe this summer has given vacationers pause for thought about whether they want to broil while traveling. How can the world's聽tourist destinations stay attractive in the face of global warming?
First LookItaly bridge collapse serves as a cautionary tale on older bridgesWhile investigators don't yet know why the Morandi Bridge聽in the Italian city of Genoa collapsed on Tuesday, killing at least 39 people, the disaster brings to the fore issues with aging bridges.聽
First LookKosovo president wants to redraw border with Serbia to ease tensionsKosovo 鈥� which is not recognized by nations including Serbia and Russia 鈥� is calling to "correct" its border with Serbia, incorporating part of Serbia. The Balkan nations have made little progress on normalizing relations since agreeing to do so in 2013 as a prerequisite for EU membership.聽
First LookDeaths of African laborers highlight dire working conditions in ItalyWithin three days, 16 migrant laborers were killed in two separate car crashes while returning home from grueling harvesting jobs in Italy's tomato fields. The tragic accidents have shed light on the perils migrants face while employed by Italy's farming industry.聽
France fights flight to big cities with funds for smaller townsWith high unemployment and empty storefronts, France鈥檚 smaller towns aren鈥檛 functioning well. The government hopes an investment of 鈧�5 billion in 222 communities will help attract younger residents and revitalize city cores.
Buddhism flourishes in Siberia, opening window on its pre-Soviet pastOrthodox 海角大神ity may be Russia's most high-profile religion, but it is only one of the country's four official 鈥渇ounding鈥� faiths. Another of the four, Buddhism, has been experiencing a rebirth in post-Soviet Russia. Second in a five-part series.
Will rising summer temperatures raise world鈥檚 climate change concern?It鈥檚 been an extraordinarily hot summer 鈥� with deadly effect 鈥� all across the Northern Hemisphere. Has the heat been changing how people think about climate change?
鈥楲a vie en vert鈥�: Green living in the French countrysideThe village of Langou毛t in northern France is small, but it鈥檚 doing a lot to help the environment. It has funded a number of innovative projects that are eco-friendly, making the town one of the most sustainable in France.聽