All Europe
- First LookNew voice for Czech Republic? Retired general tops ex-PM for presidency.
Petr Pavel defeated populist billionaire Andrej Babis in a runoff vote for president of the Czech Republic and will succeed controversy-courting Milos Zeman in the largely ceremonial but prestigious post.
- While soldiers fight, Ukrainians face another threat: hunger
Food security has become critical to Ukraine's defense against the Russian invasion. Volunteers willing to drive and hand out much needed groceries to cities under siege are key to that effort.
- Is France finally paying respect to its aging African soldiers?
Tirailleurssénégalais – Senegalese colonial infantry – fought wars for France, but have been treated like second-class soldiers. Now, with a blockbuster film and pension reform, they may be getting their due.
- First LookGermany and NATO allies to send ‘scores of battle tanks’ to Ukraine
The German government has confirmed it will send Leopard II battle tanks to Ukraine, and NATO allies will follow. The long-awaited decision came after the United States agreed to send M1 Abrams tanks, a move that Kyviv hopes could forge a turning point.
- First LookPope Francis: Homosexuality is not a crime, calls for charity
“Being homosexual isn’t a crime,” said Pope Francis in an interview with The Associated Press. The pope called laws against the LGBTQ community “unjust,” and is the first pope to speak out against such laws.
- Ukraine war: Can NATO tanks and training turn the tide?
Ukraine sees the hope of rolling back Russia’s land grab, with help from NATO vehicles, firepower, and training. But the arrival of sought-after Western tanks remains uncertain.
- In Ukraine, Russian collaborators flee or face justice
Ukrainian authorities have made dealing with Russian collaborators a top priority when they restore their control over liberated territories.
- For Britons seeking warmth, camaraderie can be as important as heat
Energy costs are so high in the United Kingdom that many Britons are unable to heat their homes properly. So communities are setting up warm places where they can come, without judgment, to escape the cold.
- First LookSilicon Valley wanes as Google, Amazon, Meta face layoffs
Google terminated 12,000 positions by email Friday, in the wake of other large-scale layoffs at Amazon and Meta. The Silicon Valley giant is undergoing waves of hiring freezes and layoffs as the tech industry navigates a rapidly changing economic landscape.
- First LookAt Davos, Zelenskyy asks the world for more help against Russia
At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned world leaders that Western armaments must arrive faster than Russian attacks. His main push was for more advanced weaponry, which NATO is looking to supply.
- First LookStrikes, protests test French president's plan to raise retirement age
French citizens took to the streets on Jan. 19 to protest a new planned pension reform introduced by President Emmanuel Macron. He says to keep the system solvent the retirement age must be raised from 62 to 64.
- Ukrainian villagers can go home now. Rebuilding is a different matter.
Ukrainian villages like Partyzanske are the lowest priority for government rebuilding efforts, but residents are still returning to war-torn homes to pull their lives back together.
- First LookThe world's most wanted Mafia boss caught in private clinic
Matteo Messina Denaro, Mafia boss and Italy’s most wanted fugitive, was arrested on Monday, after three decades on the run. The third mafia fugitive boss to be arrested in Sicily, Mr. Denaro was tried and convicted of murders and involvement in bombings.
- First LookEU plan promotes clean energy, reduced reliance on Russia, China
The European Union presented a plan on Tuesday that would ease the process of subsidizing green energy industries. The EU’s member nations are pursuing cleaner energy for the continent and reduced dependency on fuel from China and Russia.
- First LookSearch for survivors in Ukraine, day after Russian missile barrage
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the death toll from the strike on the Dnipro apartment building rose to 25 Sunday. “We continue to fight for every life,” he said.
- First LookRags to riches: Restored Pompeii house offers hints to its past
A newly restored house in Pompeii, Italy, reopened to the public on Tuesday. The ancient house includes paintings and architecture that tell mythological stories and offer clues about the daily lives of the owners, former slaves who became wealthy merchants.
- FocusFreedom vs. responsibility? Musk and EU butt heads over online rules.
Elon Musk seems to want to run Twitter like a classic American forum for speech. There’s a problem: Twitter is global, and Europe plans to impose the responsibility it thinks such forums require.
- Once influential, Russian soldiers’ mothers speak softly amid Ukraine war
After decades of apathy, Russian officials seem to recognize the military needs to communicate better with families of missing and injured soldiers. But will that mean more honesty or obfuscation?
- First LookWarm winter melts lingering fears of European energy crisis
Warm weather is helping Europe keep the lights and heat on this winter despite Russia cutting off most of its natural gas supply to the continent. With untouched gas reserves, politicians and analysts say the risk of blackouts or rationing is over.
- Under occupation in Ukraine, a dairy cow makes a difference
Many older Ukrainians were unable, or unwilling, to evacuate their homes when Russian troops invaded last year. Liberated, they recount their travails.