All Europe
- German upset: Anti-immigrant party beats Merkel in her home district
Merkel's approval rating has plunged to a five-year low of 45 percent, down from 67 percent a year ago.
- First LookScotland revives independence bid in wake of Brexit vote
The majority of Scottish voters voted to stay in the EU during the Brexit referendum, putting it at odds with England, where the majority voted to leave.
- As kids go back to school in Russia, much debate over what to teach
Russian schools have radically changed since the Soviet era, often for the better. But the shape of Russian education policy is still largely undecided.
- Why transatlantic trade deal faces stiffening wind from Europe
With elections looming around Europe, some politicians are calling for fresh trade talks as public concerns grow that TTIP puts corporate interests above citizens' rights.
- Uzbek president's failing health raises Islamist worries
Autocratic President Islam Karimov has ruled Uzbekistan for more than two decades. But public reports he has suffered a debilitating illness raise the possibility of a succession battle, complicated by Uzbekistan's own Islamist insurgency.
- French government convenes Muslim leaders for talks on 'French-style Islam'
Recent furor over burkini bans and terror attacks has heightened debates about accommodating France's Muslim community within the country's tradition of secularism.
- Day of mourning for Italy's quake victims, and a call for 'courage'
'Do not lose courage,' Bishop D'Ercole sat at a state funeral Saturday. 'Only together can we rebuild our houses and our churches. Together, above all, we will be able to restore life to our communities.'
- First LookWhy French court rejected the burkini ban
France's highest administrative court says French towns do not have the right to ban the now-controversial burkini, a modest bathing suit preferred by some Muslim women.
- France's arms industry on defense after sub data leak, UN criticism
Though the arms business is booming in France, it is doing so by selling to human-rights violators – drawing the ire of the UN. A separate leak of submarine data also has potential clients questioning France's reliability.
- French PM defends burkini ban but some in cabinet wary
Prime Minister Valls says France was locked in a "battle of cultures" and that the full-body swimsuit symbolized the enslavement of women.
- Italy quake toll hits 250 as rescuers search flattened towns
The 6.2 magnitude quake struck a cluster of mountain communities east of Rome early on Wednesday.
- Amid quake's devastation, Italians tap experience to swing into action
A 6.2 quake in central Italy has left at least 247 people dead this week. Although Italy is often stereotyped for its inefficiencies, the response effort by government agencies and volunteers has been quick and united.
- First LookThousands of workers join efforts to find Italy earthquake survivors
More than 5,000 rescue workers are working to find and save survivors of the earthquake, after the death toll rose sharply to more than 240 people.
- In Italy earthquake kills at least 159, reduces towns to rubble
The magnitude 6.2 quake struck a number of small towns where many Romans keep second homes. The population typically swells in August before school resumes.
- For Ukraine, an independence day marked by deep public frustration
Ukrainians' patience is running out as the economy stagnates, the fight against corruption shows little progress, and Moscow-backed rebels in the east remain defiant.
- First LookCould a new Labour Party leadership have a shot at blocking Brexit?
Owen Smith is challenging both Jeremy Corbyn and Theresa May on the Brexit. The Labour Party will announce its new leader on Sept. 24.
- First LookEarthquake rocks Italy. How big was it?
Three mountain towns that swell with vacationers in the summer months were devastated in the early morning hours on Wednesday by the fourth-largest earthquake to hit Italy in recent decades.
- Strong earthquake rattles Italy, killing at least 38 people
The magnitude 6.2 quake struck at 3:36 a.m. and was felt across a broad swath of central Italy, including Rome.
- First LookAmid rising tensions, Ukraine opens criminal probe of top Russian officials
Ukraine has launched a criminal investigation of 20 senior Russian officials for crimes against Ukraine's national security, as fighting between Ukraine's government and pro-Russian separatists intensifies in the country's east.
- He's back: Sarkozy says he'll run for French presidency again next year
Former President Nicolas Sarkozy is expected to lead a campaign based on hardline ideas on immigration and security in a country marked by recent attacks carried out by Islamist extremists.