World | Europe

President Maia Sandu won a second term in a runoff against a Russia-friendly opponent, Alexandr Stoianoglo, in a race that was overshadowed by claims of Russian interference, voter fraud, and intimidation in the European Union candidate country.

Just as the Spanish women’s national team was celebrating its 2023 World Cup victory, it found itself embroiled in a fight with the soccer federation president over an unwanted kiss. A Netflix documentary looks at the scandal.

Three days after flash floods swept through towns in Spain, residents are working together to pick up the pieces. The floods followed battles with prolonged droughts in 2022 and 2023. Experts say drought and flood cycles are increasing with climate change.

Rolled out to combat Russian signal jamming, Ukraine is deploying new AI systems to drive its drone warfare. Early tests find the automated pilots are far more likely to hit targets, though only a small proportion of Ukraine’s fleet uses the new technology.

The Russian public is generally satisfied with how their country has transformed under Vladimir Putin. But that’s less because of his attributes and more a reflection of Russian history and culture.

“Emily in Paris,” the cult Netflix series French viewers love to hate, is hinting at a move to Rome. Fans, from President Macron on down, are indignant.

Russia has long aspired to use the BRICS bloc of countries to circumvent the U.S.-dominated global economic system. The group’s latest meeting shows how much progress Russia has made – and how other BRICS members keep that goal from being fully realized.

European countries such as Italy are trying to reduce immigration by moving asylum-seekers’ processing offshore – in Italy’s case, to Albania. But while the approach is increasingly popular, its legality remains suspect.

Geneva Peace Week hosts people from around the world who aren’t just hoping for peace, but creating it. Their stories point to what’s possible.

Fetullah Gulen, an exiled cleric who died in the United States, was head of a Turkish movement its followers say spreads moderate Islam and Western-style ideas. Formerly an ally of Turkish leader Tayyip Erdogan, he was later accused of a failed coup attempt.