All Europe
- Amanda Knox trial: Italian court flips again, restoring murder sentence
A court in Florence reinstated a guilty verdict against Amanda Knox in absentia, sentencing her to 28 and a half years for the 2007 murder of Meredith Kercher in Perugia.
- Ukraine's crisis: A sign of democracy in ascension?
Political negotiations stalled today as opposition leaders rejected an amnesty bill and the Ukrainian president called in sick. Just the same, some see positive signs in the tumult.
- Saakashvili: Ukraine is 'first geopolitical revolution of the 21st century'
Mikheil Saakashvili, the former president of Georgia and antagonist of Vladimir Putin, told the Monitor that the streets of Kiev are a battleground between East and West.
- Amid 'civil war' talk, Kremlin keeps wary eye on Ukraine
Putin said today that Russia will still make a $15 billion loan and cut gas prices to Ukraine. But the Kremlin is concerned over Ukraine's stability amid speculation about revolution.
- Are Ukraine's concessions too late to satisfy protesters?
The parliament voted today to roll back an anti-demonstration law that escalated tensions, and the hard-line prime minister stepped down. But protesters plan to stay put.
- The ExplainerEven if Ukraine averts political meltdown, economic obstacles remain
Ukraine's political struggle conceals deep-seated economic fault lines. Whichever side emerges victorious from the crisis – and inherits the mess – is not to be envied.
- Ukraine minister ups stakes in Kiev with 'state of emergency' warning
A state of emergency would authorize army intervention. While the protesters have vacated the Justice Ministry, they warned they could return.
- Pride and trepidation in Latvia as it swaps to euros
Latvia became the eurozone's newest member on Jan. 1, its latest step into the European sphere. But it is also the poorest euro-using country, and still dependent on Russia.
- Leaving scandal at home, France's Hollande pays visit to Pope Francis
President François Hollande made his first visit to Pope Francis as criticism grows at home among French Catholics opposed to his socially permissive policies.
- The ExplainerJust who is Ukraine's opposition?
Though Ukraine's opposition is united against President Yanukovych's government, they are far from monolithic. Who are the players, and how strong are the bonds forged in Kiev's protests?
- France to world: Enough with your French bashing
French halls of power are resonating with calls to quash the latest wave of Paris-targeted criticism. What's behind the uproar?
- In German, no word worse than 'social tourism'
Sozialtourismus sounds innocuous. But according to the jury that named it 'Germany's worst word' for 2013, it's actually insidious.
- Kiev protests turn deadly. A line crossed in Ukraine?
Violence has been taboo in recent Ukrainian political upheavals, including the Orange Revolution. But last night's deaths amid clashes in Kiev may have changed that.
- Black widows: Russian experts warn terrorist threat to Sochi is 'serious'
'Black widows' – female suicide bombers – have Sochi on high alert. Russian security sources are feeding the furor with atypically copious media leaks.
- Why EU's military mission to Africa could prove bigger than CAR
While the EU's first joint operation in six years is modest – neither Britain nor Germany is likely to join – it is a potential milestone for European military coordination.
- Why a Balkan diploma-mill degree is more valuable than one from Oxford
Despite rampant bribery devaluing degrees at universities in Bosnia and Serbia, it's easier to get a public sector job that way than with a legitimate degree abroad.
- Kiev protesters hold mirrors to police - literally - as new confrontation looms
Ukraine's parliament issued new bans on antigovernment demonstrations Thursday. Mirrors are just one unusual tactic protesters are deploying to prompt some soul-searching by police.
- Chechnya says Islamic warlord is dead. Does it matter for Sochi?
Experts warn that Chechnya's militants can easily find new leadership if the oft-reported death of Doku Umarov, who has threatened attacks on the Olympic Games, is finally true.
- Vatican taken to task by UN on child abuse. Will the church change?
Victims' rights advocates say that they hope today's unprecedented grilling in Geneva of Vatican officials could be a turning point for the church's handling of abuse.
- British hand in deadly 1984 raid in India angers UK Sikhs
Documents that say Britain advised India on its June 1984 assault on Sikhism's holiest site could undermine support for the government among Britain's large Sikh community.