All Europe
- Election of Pope Francis fuels hopes for Catholic reform
The election of Francis is being interpreted as a victory for reform-minded cardinals, and may herald sweeping changes for the scandal-beset Catholic Church.
- Pope Francis emerges to cheers of 'Viva il Papa'
The selection of Jorge Bergoglio, a Jesuit from Argentina, to be the next head of the Catholic Church electrified Rome.
- Immigrants to Spain push back on evictions
As more people find themselves victims of mortgage fraud and eviction in Spain, they are banding together to advocate for legal reforms.
- Report leaked by Putin ally says ruling party actually lost in 2011
Leaks about the report, which says the Communists won the 2011 parliamentary elections, suggest a power struggle could be going on among Russia's elite - and perhaps involving Putin.
- Estonian austerity, Paul Krugman, and Twitter: All the elements of an opera?
An American expatriate writer and a Latvian economist-cum-composer have turned an online tiff between Estonia's president and Nobel-winning economist Krugman into high art.
- As Hungary's electoral campaigns kick into gear, public apathy abounds
Hungary's right-wing ruling party Fidesz and its Hungarian Socialist opposition are already trading barbs ahead of 2014 elections. But Hungarians are increasingly unimpressed by both.
- In blow to inquest, key suspect in Russian spy murder refuses to cooperate
Andrei Lugovoi, who is now an elected official in Russia, says he won't talk even by video to British investigators about the poisoning of Alexander Litvinenko in London just over six years ago.
- Who's on the short list to be the new pope?
As the cardinals seal themselves away in St. Peter's Basilica to begin their deliberations over the next leader of the Catholic Church, a handful of frontrunners have emerged.
- Hungary's homeless may soon have a new label: criminal
The Hungarian parliament on Monday approved a constitutional amendment that would allow local authorities to criminalize homelessness.
- Russian beauty queens offer opinions beyond world peace, making people mad
Russians have embraced beauty pageants since the end of the Soviet era, but in recent months at least two beauty queens have triggered media scandal over their criticisms of Russia.
- Getting around Moscow still an uphill battle for its disabled citizens
Like most of Russia, Moscow poses tough challenges for disabled people, from 14-lane highways to inaccessible subways. But charities and Russia's 2012 Paralympics success are driving change.
- What are the chances of an American pope? This time, not zero
Until recently, American candidates faced unease about US hegemony. With the end of the cold war and decline in American power, a couple of US cardinals are getting serious attention.
- Exporting Grandma? Some German elderly head abroad for nursing care
Long-term nursing insurance is a pillar the German welfare model, but the system is increasingly stressed by the aging population – leading some elderly to go to other EU countries for care.
- Spanish corruption inquiry inches closer to Prime Minister Rajoy
A Spanish court is examining financial records that police say point to two decades of corruption at Spain's ruling Popular Party. The party says a ledger at the heart of the case is a fake.
- On International Women's Day, Russian women want change – not gifts
International Women's Day has been a popular holiday in Russia since the Soviet era, when women played a major role in work and politics. But they have been largely sidelined by men since.
- Britain to remove last troops from Germany in 2019
In a legacy of the cold war, Britain still maintains 20,000 troops in Germany. It's now accelerating troop withdrawals.
- Spain hopes for improved ties with post-Chávez Venezuela
Spain's relationship with Venezuela, though key to Spanish interests across South America, was often turbulent under Chávez.
- For next pope, cardinals want youngish, polyglot MBA-type
Issues of governance at the Vatican are weighing on the men who will pick the next leader of the Catholic Church.
- A ballet villain gone bad? Bolshoi dancer accused of planning acid attack
The January attack on the legendary ballet troupe's artistic director was allegedly masterminded by Pavel Dmitrichenko, a dancer who specialized in villainous roles like Ivan the Terrible.
- No more big banker bonuses? Europe set to crack down.
Europe's financial ministers are expected to approve new rules today that would cap bankers' bonuses at two years' salary – a move unthinkable in the years before the Lehman collapse.