All Europe
- First Look'Criminal violence': Anti-lockdown riots roil the Netherlands
Rioters clashed with police across the Netherlands over coronavirus lockdown measures in what was the worst violence to hit the country since the pandemic began. Politicians condemned the riots, with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte calling it “unacceptable.”
- First LookRussian protests: 3,000 arrested demanding Navalny’s release
Russian police arrested more than 3,000 people in nationwide protests demanding the release of Putin critic and opposition leader Alexei Navalny.
- Navalny wants to take on the Kremlin. Are Russians listening?
Alexei Navalny is back in Russia and calling for protests against Vladimir Putin and the Kremlin. But his sway with the Russian public remains modest.
- COVID-19 versus Brexit: Pandemic wins by a knockout
Britain’s final departure from the EU trade bloc on Jan. 1, after years of bitter debate, stirred little interest; COVID-19 took precedence.
- For the French, distrust of vaccines predates COVID-19
France has one of the most skeptical populations in Europe when it comes to vaccines, even around the COVID-19 vaccine. Why is that?
- First LookPoisoned Kremlin critic Navalny arrested upon return to Russia
Alexei Navalny, the leader of Russia’s opposition, had spent five months abroad recovering from nerve agent poisoning. The lawyer has been a thorn in the Kremlin’s side for a decade.
- Europe criticizes Trump Twitter ban – but not for reason you'd expect
In Europe, social media platforms like Twitter aren’t seen as having the right to bar speech. Rather, that ability should be limited to governments.
- War in Afghanistan: What has NATO learned from 20 years of fighting?
The war in Afghanistan appears to be drawing to a close. What has NATO learned from its experiences in the twenty-year conflict?
- First LookAs new COVID strain emerges, Johnson tells England to stay home
England and Scotland are joining Northern Ireland and Wales in imposing strict lockdowns as health care systems reach capacity. The National Health Service “is going through probably the toughest time in living memory,’’ says a health care analyst.
- First LookAssange to remain in UK as US extradition request denied
A British judge rejected a request by the United States to extradite WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange in order to face espionage charges, citing concerns that Mr. Assange’s mental health could deteriorate should he be returned.
- In Sweden, hawkish defense and feminist diplomacy make odd bedfellows
Concerned about Russia, Sweden has boosted its military spending to historic levels. Critics say that conflicts with Sweden’s foreign policy goals.
- First Look‘Parting is such sweet sorrow’: EU and UK clinch narrow Brexit accord
With only seven days to go before the deadline, the European Union and the United Kingdom agreed to a narrow Brexit deal.
- In Sweden, pandemic inspires new generation to return to church
For decades, the Church of Sweden has played a decreasing role in the country’s national life. But the pandemic appears to be changing that.
- First LookBans on British travelers spawn crisis talks, traffic jams
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has called for a meeting with his government's emergency committee as more countries suspend flights from the U.K. and trucks carrying goods are held up at the French-U.K. border.
- First LookBritain orders London shops shut, Christmas gatherings canceled
“We cannot proceed with Christmas as planned,” Prime Minister Boris Johnson says as he places large areas in southern England on a new, higher Tier 4 alert to try to contain pandemic.
- First LookBerlin's biggest restaurant offers food, warmth to the unhoused
Closed to customers, Hofbraeu Berlin partnered with two welfare organizations to open its doors to the city’s homeless population. The restaurant, which serves 3,000 customers on a normal day, has been safely feeding about 150 people in need a day.
- Europe wants to set green standards. Can it get the world to commit?
Europe plans to use its Green New Deal to set new benchmarks in environmental standards. The challenge will be exporting them to other nations.
- First LookIn a Bosnian municipal election, hope for post-ethnic politics
Political divisions resulted in the city of Mostar going 12 years without elections, to the benefit of incumbent political powers. Now, residents are going to the polls, including young people with no memory of the Bosnian war, or the ethnic lines it played out along.
- Capitalism over culture? Moscow’s artists face eviction amid urban renewal.
In the past few months, hundreds of artists have been evicted from their studios amid a massive Moscow urban renovation project.
- Does ‘human rights champion’ France live up to its ideals at home?
As French police come under criticism for violence and racism, some are noticing the disconnect between France’s human rights ideals and reality.