All Europe
New leader wants to ‘clean up’ Poland. Does public trust him to do so?Poland’s government wants to clean up the excesses of its populist predecessor. But do so too quickly and it risks repeating the patterns that caused the former government to violate public trust in the first place.
First LookRussian forces seize eastern Ukrainian city AvdiivkaRussian forces have taken complete control of the Ukrainian city of Avdiivka. The announcement came the same day that Ukraine’s military chief said he was withdrawing troops from the city where outnumbered defenders battled a Russian assault for four months.
With Navalny’s death, Russia’s opposition loses its last leaderMany in the West saw Alexei Navalny as the Russian opposition’s most promising challenger to Vladimir Putin. His death in prison on Friday brings a tragic end to a struggle the Kremlin had already largely contained.
Europe casts wary eye as Americans debate engagement with worldU.S. willingness to stay engaged on the global stage is on display this week amid a trio of security meetings in Brussels and Munich.
First LookAs birth rates plummet, Europe questions existing incentivesBirth rates are dropping to record lows in Europe, following worldwide trends. France, Italy, and Finland are searching for ways to incentivize people to produce more children, including tax credits and increased social welfare programs.
Poland appears torn by abortion. Research hints divide isn’t so deep.Poland seems like a bitterly divided country, especially over hot-button topics like abortion. But there’s middle ground to be found, thanks to empathy among even the most conservative Poles.
Northern Ireland’s lessons for Gaza: Peace is possibleA recent session in the Northern Ireland Assembly had a powerful message for those seeking a cease-fire in Gaza and eventual Israeli-Palestinian peace.
‘Thank you’ matters: Why a stronger society starts with your bus driverSaying hello can go a long way in building social connections, and researchers in London found a simple way to encourage such behavior.
Tucker Carlson is interviewing Putin. What’s in it for the Kremlin?To hear it from Tucker Carlson or his Russian fans, his soon-to-be aired interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin is an exercise in journalistic parity. But both Mr. Carlson and the Kremlin are pushing agendas.
It’s not just the sunshine: Why Portugal attracts US expatsPortugal is gaining popularity with U.S. citizens looking to move abroad. Reasons include the expected, like weather and the cost of living, as well as ones that hint at people’s deeper needs when trying to build a good life.
First LookPrince William returns to public duty in trying time for the WindsorsWilliam Windsor, Prince of Wales and heir to the British throne, remains one of a shrinking pool of working royals as King Charles III focuses on his health. Britain’s monarch is expected to serve as a symbol of national identity, unity, and continuity.
How the Netherlands became Europe’s startup hubIn the Netherlands, an e-bike company bankruptcy masked a thriving startup ecosystem. What’s behind the small country’s entrepreneurial spirit?
First LookFor the first time, an Irish nationalist will lead Northern IrelandAn Irish nationalist made history by becoming Northern Ireland's first minister. Sinn Fein Vice President Michelle O'Neill was nominated Saturday as first minister as the government returned to work after a two-year boycott by unionists.
French farmers are united in protest. Do they share a vision for solutions?With protests roiling the country, it’s clear that France’s farmers are unhappy. But how united are they in their grievances, and what solutions do they think need to be implemented?
First LookWinter drought: Drinking water runs dry in northern SpainSpain’s northeastern Catalonia region declared a drought emergency Feb. 1. But thousands of people in towns outside Barcelona have been in crisis mode for months, with water arriving by truck, taps cut off, and residents turning to natural springs.
First LookCatching up to Europe, Greece set to legalize same-sex marriagePrime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is set to legalize same-sex marriage in Greece, succeeding legislation that banned conversion therapy and legalized same-sex cohabitation. He hopes to align Greek policy with the rest of the EU’s on LGBT+ rights.
Cover StoryIs enough still enough? Sweden reckons with its culture of ‘lagom.’Sweden’s “lagom” culture promises not too much and not too little, but just enough for everyone. Some wonder if that balance is getting lost, and whether it can be revived.
First LookIn Northern Ireland, a long-awaited moment of compromiseFour years after Brexit, party leaders have tentatively agreed to a new deal to end Northern Ireland’s political deadlock. Controversy over border checks had left the country without a functioning government for two years.
First LookWhy small farmers are blocking roads from Paris to Brussels to RomeEuropean farmers are blocking roads across France, Italy, and Spain leading up to the Feb. 1 European Union summit. A combination of severe climate events, the war in Ukraine, and inflation has put many small farms in dire straits.
In Ukraine and Europe, a concern: Has Putin outlasted the US?America’s support for Ukraine has resonated around the world. Yet as Congress holds up new aid, and Ukraine’s supplies dwindle, comes a question: Has U.S. support shifted from “as long as it takes” to “as long as we could”?
