All Europe
- First LookEU leaders prove ‘progress’ possible, set $2.1 trillion budget
European Union leaders agreed on a $2.1 trillion budget, including a $857 billion coronavirus relief fund, after one of their longest summits on record. Despite "extremely tense moments," the 27 leaders "managed to make progress," French President Emmanuel Macron said.
- First LookEU leaders face choice: Build unity or present ‘a weak Europe’
Calling on EU leaders to build "unity and trust," a heart-tugging speech by the European council president sparked a glimmer of hope as EU leaders entered the fourth day of negotiations over a $2.1 trillion budget and coronavirus relief fund.
- First LookWith $2.1T to split, EU leaders ditch webcams for live summit
After five remote video summits failed to resolve budget issues, European Union nations are planning the bloc's first in-person meeting since the pandemic began. But with doctors on-site, social distancing, and press restrictions, this summit will look very different.
- First Look'Fills me with pride': New statue replaces UK slave trader
Anti-racism demonstrators pulled down the 18-foot bronze likeness of Edward Colston and dumped it in the River Avon – sparking both delight and dismay in Britain and beyond. A statue of a Black Lives Matter protester now stands in its place.
- First LookPoland presidential election a victory for conservative values
Polish President Andrzej Duda has won five more years in power, giving the government a new mandate to pursue reforms of the judiciary and media.
- First LookPoland presidential vote: What's at stake in Sunday's election
Sunday's presidential runoff between President Duda and Rafal Trzaskowski may be the closest election in Poland’s history, reflecting deep divisions.
- For Russian experts, Taliban bounty report just doesn’t make sense
Even critics of the Kremlin see little logic to the report that Russia has been awarding bounties to the Taliban for killing U.S. troops in Afghanistan.
- First LookPolish coal industry battered by virus as global demand plummets
With the global coal market already in steep decline, Poland's mines are facing another threat from the coronavirus. While miners number 80,000 in the country of 38 million, they account for one fifth of the nation's virus cases.
- Defund the police? Europeans redirect them.
Some European countries have taken mental health and social crises out of police hands, asking specialists to cope with them instead. Crime dropped.
- Germany’s recipe for lockdown: Reduced hours, not layoffs
In Germany, business and government split responsibility for supporting workers’ income amid the lockdown – while letting workers stay on the job.
- First LookWhy Britain extended residency rights to 3 million Hong Kongers
Britain has extended residency rights to 3 million Hong Kongers after Beijing imposed a new security law. Eligible citizens could now work and live there for five years before being eligible to apply for citizenship.
- First LookPutin cinches term extension to 2036 in disputed vote
Election officials say 78% of Russians voted to extend President Vladimir Putin's term limits to 2036. Voters were affected by suspect polling stations and proffered prizes, and critics argue the results are inflated.
- As tourist drought idles workers, Spain weaves a makeshift safety net
The tourism industry in Spain has particularly suffered during the coronavirus lockdown. So Madrid has created a raft of options to help workers.
- Putin set to get his new constitution. But Russians ask, ‘Why now?’
Russia is expected to approve a raft of constitutional reforms that will allow Putin to stay in office until 2036. But it is not without controversy.
- Why does World War II still hold such a grip on Russia?
As Russia celebrated the Soviet victory in WW2 Wednesday, the Russian preoccupation with the war was never more apparent.
- 'Immunity passports' could help against pandemic – or harm society
Some have proposed granting coronavirus pandemic survivors “immunity passports” to grant them special privileges. But ethicists warn of risks.
- As Russia reopens, Putin takes a back seat to local leaders
As Moscow comes out of its coronavirus lockdown, Vladimir Putin is stepping back and letting local leaders make the decisions about how to reopen.
- ‘The pandemic has united us’: A media divide fades in the Baltics
As politicians in Latvia and Estonia ceded the stage to medical experts, Russian speakers became a new audience for local news in Latvia and Estonia.
- First LookChokeholds or Tasers? Critics question France's compromise.
France announced it will start testing stun guns for law enforcement, making it the latest European country to adopt the controversial weapon. Amnesty International reports that 500 people died in the U.S. after being hit by stun guns between 2001 and 2012.
- First LookAs statues topple elsewhere, French leader won't 'erase' history
President Emmanuel Macron balked at taking down statues of colonial-era figures as he faces heat from both racial injustice protesters and police unions.