All Europe
- A sidewalk telescope in Madrid offers a glimpse into the night sky’s unknown
The stars have inspired wonder and contemplation from time immemorial. On Madrid’s sidewalks, one man is helping locals experience them today with a glimpse through his telescope.
- First LookOne year in, Evan Gershkovich’s time in Russian prison has no clear end
Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was arrested in Russia a year ago on accusations of espionage that the U.S. says are baseless. No one knows when he might be released, leaving his family to lean on letters from prison and hold on to hope.
- Russia has long worried about terrorism. The Moscow attack showed it may not be prepared.
While many Russians are trying to link Friday’s deadly terrorist attack to Kyiv, the more likely suspect is an older enemy: radical Islamists. Russia has diverted attention from them amid its war with Ukraine.
- First LookIslamic State group claims Moscow attack as death toll rises to 133
The U.S. says it has evidence backing up the claim that an Islamic State group affiliate carried out the attack on a Moscow concert hall.
- Why Spain is trusting trans teens on their gender, rather than restricting them
In some U.S. states, changing one’s gender identity is seen as too weighty a decision for those under the age of 18. But Spain has taken a different approach, based on trusting transgender teens’ choices.
- Hungarian leader Viktor Orbán acting in the West as Moscow’s man on the inside
Hungarian leader Viktor Orbán predicts that under Donald Trump, Washington will cut all aid to Ukraine and that Europe will not make up the shortfall.
- Difference MakerThere was no medicine, so this Ukrainian nurse sang lullabies to wounded soldiers
Among their many duties, nurses are relied upon to comfort, to soothe. Amid the stresses of Ukraine’s war, as she deals with wounded soldiers, Oksana Sokhan recalls a moment’s resourcefulness that still makes her smile.
- First LookKremlin aims for high voter turnout to legitimize Putin's war in Ukraine
Despite the certainty of President Vladimir Putin's extended rule, Russian opposition has called on voters to head to the polls. The election that began Friday has no real alternatives to Mr. Putin, and no public criticism of him or his war in Ukraine.
- The ExplainerRussia’s presidential election begins today. Here are 3 reasons Putin will win.
Russia’s opposition once featured an array of political parties, and even some limited space for genuine critics of Vladimir Putin and the Kremlin. What remains of it amid Russia’s 2024 presidential election?
- How Russian elections became a futile exercise for Putin’s opposition
Russia’s presidential election appears largely a rote exercise, as a popular, unchallengeable leader faces only nominal competition from three “systemic” opponents. The Kremlin has worked for years to make it this way.
- Ukrainians along front: Digging deeper, and waiting, waiting ...
In a tour along the long eastern Ukraine war front with Russia, one consistent and clear sign of the impact of a lack of US weapons and ammunition supplies is the defensive posture the Ukrainian army has been forced to take.
- With cry of ‘enough,’ Portugal’s far right challenges the establishment
After long resisting Europe’s rightward political creep, Portugal looks set to join the trend in Sunday’s elections. Critics worry that the populist Chega party is giving new life to the ideology of Portugal’s bygone dictatorship.
- First LookIrish Constitution says women belong in the home. Will that last?
An International Women’s Day referendum is asking Irish voters to consider two revisions to constitutional language about families and the role of women. But some opponents are concerned about the wording of the proposed changes.
- Europe divided over how far to push Putin
Russia’s Putin will win reelection. But who will win the argument in Europe over how to defend Ukraine and guard against future Russian aggression?
- First LookCongress talks big game about reining in Big Tech. Europe is doing it.
The European Union’s Digital Markets Act goes into effect March 7, forcing tech companies to show choices of search engines and where to download apps, as well as increased personal data privacy. Europe has been a global leader in reining in tech giants.
- First LookIn the alleys of Paris, a mysterious Invader turns street art into sport
The elusive street artist Invader has created more than 4,000 mosaics dotting cities and towns on six continents. Fans can even download a Pokémon Go-style game that rewards users for hunting down the installations.
- Amid Western aid cuts, Ukraine families wonder how they’ll get by
With billions in U.S. aid to Ukraine held up in Congress, the impact is being felt not only by soldiers at the front, but also by civilians displaced by war and dependent on generosity.
- Moscow plans its own mini-Olympics. Will Russians be satisfied?
Isolated by the West, Moscow has hustled to create alternatives to global commodities. But with Olympic-level athletic contests, Kremlin proxies may not satisfy Russia’s public.
- First LookEU slaps Apple with nearly $2 billion fine over streaming service
The European Commission says Apple broke EU antitrust laws by not allowing fair competition with other music streaming apps. The commission slapped the tech giant with a €1.8 billion fine. Apple says it will appeal.
- ‘Expecting goodness to prevail,’ journalists clean up Poland’s state media
How do you restore faith in a public broadcaster that had been a tool of government spin? That’s the challenge facing Polish journalists at TVP, the state TV channel, after eight years of polarized coverage.