All Europe
- First LookFor Ukrainian women left behind, painting is a form of therapy
For some Ukrainian women who have lost their partners in the war, painting has offered a therapeutic way to cope with grief. The project, called “Alive. True Stories of Love,” honors those who have died, in addition to providing comfort to their partners.
- In birthplace of the beach holiday, where are the tourists?
Despite being the original spots for beach getaways, England’s seaside towns can’t compete with today’s foreign tour packages. That is spurring them to rethink their approach to tourism.
- First LookFrance celebrates Bastille Day, with extra police presence
France is celebrating its national holiday Friday with a grand Bastille Day parade in Paris. President Macron is also deploying 130,000 police around the country to prevent a new outbreak of unrest following last month's killing of 17-year-old Nahel.
- NATO summit puts Ukraine’s ambitions on hold, but G7 offers hope
The competing interests at this week’s NATO summit in Lithuania seemed to play out without diplomatic cover or subtlety. The biggest challenge is simply framed: How could the West support Ukraine without overcommitting?
- First LookNATO welcomes Sweden, but Ukraine's frustration grows
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy expressed impatience at the absence of a clear timeline for Ukraine’s entry to NATO. The tension was eased by Turkey withdrawing objections to Sweden’s accession, a decision praised by President Joe Biden.
- Now playing at Odesa’s opera house: Renewal and hope
How relevant is opera? In the Ukrainian Black Sea port of Odesa, what has been dismissed as elitist elsewhere has emerged as a pillar of community strength and support.
- First LookPutin met with Prigozhin days after rebellion, Kremlin says
Days after a short-lived rebellion by a private army, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, the Kremlin said. Mr. Prigozhin’s fate and whereabouts are currently uncertain.
- First LookUnity is key, say experts anticipating debates at NATO summit
In advance of NATO's annual summit this week, disagreements between key leaders are evident at a time some say an outward show of solidarity is vital.
- The Houses of Parliament is falling down. What is to be done?
British legislators cannot agree on how to go about renovating the Houses of Parliament, which is in a dire state of disrepair. Can they avoid disaster?
- First LookCan France ignore race? Police say yes, human rights activists say no.
The death of French teenager Nahel last week sent France into another wave of protests and riots. Protesters and the United Nations have referred to the incident as a case of racism, calling the country’s legal disregard for race into question.
- In French protests, a demand for dignity
In France, protests and rioting exploded after a Franco-Algerian teen was killed by police. Monday saw signs of calm after six days of violence.
- First LookGrandmother of French teen killed by cop asks rioters to ‘calm things down’
The grandmother of 17-year-old Nahel told BFM TV she was angry at the officer who killed her grandson but expressed faith in the justice system, as France faces its worst social upheaval in years.
- First LookDutch king apologizes for Netherlands’ role in slavery on abolition anniversary
The historic apology is part of a wider reckoning with colonial histories in the West that have been spurred in recent years by the Black Lives Matter movement.
- First LookFrance ups police presence after protests against police violence
France has erupted in protests, many violent, after a video of a French police officer killing a 17-year-old was released on Tuesday. The French president has labeled the killing, which is being investigated as voluntary manslaughter, “unjustifiable.”
- Letter from ‘Glasto’: Kid packs, wilderness wipes, and ‘Rocket Man’
The Glastonbury music festival turns a patch of English pasture into one of the happiest places on Earth. The challenge: how to participate, in comfort, with a 2-year-old son and pregnant wife.
- First LookPrigozhin's great escape or Putin's display of power?
Russia has dropped charges against Yevgeny Prigozhin, the Wagner mercenary troops leader, after his brief armed rebellion that followed the cessation of their activities. After negotiations, Mr. Prigozhin, along with some of his military, was sent to Belarus.
- After the rebellion, how well will Putin carry on his rule?
Yevgeny Prigozhin’s attempted rebellion didn’t topple President Vladimir Putin. But in its aftermath, it has launched debate over just how stable Mr. Putin’s hold on the country really is.
- Wagner mercenary revolt: Could it help Ukraine?
The Wagner mercenary revolt could cause cracks in Russian leadership and demoralize Russian troops.
- First LookMitsotakis leads Greek conservative party to victory, second term
Kyriakos Mitsotakis, leader of the conservative New Democracy party, won a second four-year term as prime minister of Greece.
- First LookWagner forces reverse course, Prigozhin to move to Belarus
The Kremlin says Mr. Prigozhin, who led the Wagner group in a short-lived rebellion, will move to Belarus and not face prosecution.