All Europe
First LookZelenskyy calls for meeting with Putin amid eastern Ukraine violenceViolence in eastern Ukraine has spiked in recent days as Ukraine and the two regions held by the rebels each accused the other of escalation.
For Ukrainians on the front line, Russian threat is just part of lifeMuch of the West is afraid of a Russian invasion of Ukraine. But at the front lines of Ukraine’s internal conflict, it feels like part of the routine.
To fight pandemic’s uncertainty, Germans embrace a testing cultureThe test-heavy pandemic approach of Germany has morphed societal psychology to the point that testing has now become part of everyday life.
First LookPassport politics: Why some Ukrainians accept Russian citizenshipAs tensions between Russia and Ukraine continue to escalate, Russia is expanding its influence through a new tactic: passports. In rebel-held areas of eastern Ukraine, more than 720,000 residents have been granted Russian citizenship.
First LookFinancial freeze: EU can cut funds to Poland, Hungary, court saysThe European Union’s highest court ruled on Wednesday that Brussels can withhold billions in funding to Poland and Hungary due to violations of the bloc’s laws. The ruling may give the EU the upper hand in its ongoing row with the increasingly illiberal nations.
Russia has borne Western sanctions before. Is this time different?The West has promised harsh sanctions against Russia should it invade Ukraine. But Russians seem ready for them, both mentally and economically.
Ukraine battles another Russian threat: MisinformationUkraine isn’t dealing just with Russian troops on its borders. It also faces a misinformation campaign for the hearts and minds of Ukrainians.
First LookAs Ukraine crisis looms, Europe prepares for another refugee waveEven as shuttle diplomacy continues at a frantic pace between Kyiv and Moscow, governments in Eastern Europe are planning how they would manage hundreds of thousands of refugees fleeing a Russian invasion of Ukraine.
As Paris walked by, a photographer died. Can it bring compassion to streets?If well-known photographer René Robert can die ignored on the streets of Paris, what does that say about how France treats its homeless population?
First LookCan they keep the lights on? Energy prices rise across Europe.As energy prices soar across Europe, households are feeling the squeeze and small businesses are struggling to stay open. In Turkey, where rising energy costs are compounded by a drop in currency value, upset over electricity prices has erupted into protests.
Would Poles be happier without EU? One village now answers no.The bitter relationship between Warsaw and Brussels has some questioning if Poland will stay in the European Union. One village shows why it likely will.
In eastern Ukraine, Russian speakers juggle complex identitiesMostly Russian speaking residents of eastern Ukraine offer varied and complex perspectives on the Russian government’s attitude to its neighbor.
First LookRunning out of gas: Could Russia cause a European energy crisis?The Russia-Ukraine tension raises concerns about Europe’s energy reliance on Russia which supplies about a third of the continent’s natural gas. If Russia cut gas exports due to sanctions, Europe would have to face its sapped gas and increasing prices.
The Russian public doesn’t want war, but is anyone listening?There seems to be little appetite for a war with Ukraine or NATO among Russians. But many feel the decision is out of their control to even influence.
First LookSymbol of stability: Queen Elizabeth marks 70 years as monarchQueen Elizabeth II has always provided a sense of constancy to her people through changing times – from the Suez Crisis to the 2005 London attacks, Brexit, and the pandemic. Britain’s longest-reigning monarch will mark 70 years as queen, on Sunday, Feb. 6, 2022.
With Russian hackers in mind, NATO takes hard look at cyber strategyNATO strategists are rethinking its reliance on mutual defense among members when it comes to the cyber battlefield and fending off hackers.
First LookRussia opposition soldiers on, amid Putin's harsh crackdownIn the year since opposition leader Alexei Navalny was thrown in jail, the Russian government has embarked on a crackdown on the opposition unprecedented in the post-Soviet era. Yet Kremlin critics say they will keep on fighting.
Ukraine: How are citizens coping with the possibility of invasion?How does daily life go on despite a looming threat of invasion by Russia? In Ukraine, coping mechanisms range from fatalism to denial.
Justice found? Germany sentences war criminal, bringing hope to Syrians.As shown in Germany, European courts may now offer a chance at justice for those who have suffered atrocities in armed conflicts in Syria and beyond.
First LookEU falls behind in global 5G race. Will its economy suffer?As the world rushes to boost 5G infrastructure, the European Union is lagging behind, according to a report released this week. A slow rollout means lost economic progress as 5G is projected to add $1.1 trillion to the EU economy.
