Europe

All Europe

France's Afghanistan pull-out signals war fatigue driving European defense cuts

Disillusionment with warfare, coupled with economic troubles, has given European defense cuts strong momentum. But defense experts worry they are being made too haphazardly.
British, Spanish ships almost come to blows over 'The Rock'

The British navy and Spanish civil guard faced off today over a fishing dispute off the Gibraltar coast. Spain maintains it only ceded Gibraltar to the British, not the waters around it.
Death of Russian-born boy in US reignites adoption debate

A 9-year-old Russian boy adopted by US parents died in a house fire last week, reminding Russians of several incidents of poor treatment of Russian orphans adopted by Americans.
New Russian cabinet packed with Putin loyalists

Despite promises of 'substantial renewal,' the new cabinet is filled with faces long seen around the Kremlin who will keep Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev hemmed in.
Hollande's first world appearance a double success

Less than a week after taking office, French President François Hollande traveled to the G-8 and NATO summits to make his case for new economic policies and a French pullout from Afghanistan.
Italy earthquake: modern buildings, not ancient ones, pose biggest threat (+video)

The Italy earthquake suggests that danger lies not so much in ancient monuments as in the many buildings constructed between the late 1940s and the early 1970s.
As its banking woes mount, Spain ponders where to go from here

Its banks struggling, Spain has moved closer to needing a bailout. But some argue the takeover of Bankia and other measures could mark the beginning of movement toward greater stability.
Hollande-Cameron don't agree on much – except need to save the eurozone

French President Hollande and UK Prime Minister Cameron meet in US today ahead of G8 summit. They are likely to find common ground on eurozone crisis despite differences over austerity.
German universities move to train next generation of imams

Concerned about the influence of foreign imams on Germany's Muslim community, the government is funding Islamic theology departments in its public universities to train imams at home.
What would a Greek exit from the eurozone look like?

Rumors are rife of a Greek exit from the eurozone. While no country has yet dropped the common currency, there are some indications of what will transpire if Greece does.
Russia's protest movement shows staying power, despite today's dispersal

Moscow police broke up a weeklong protest encampment today, but activists just moved it elsewhere, showing authorities they might be in for a hard fight against Russia's protest movement.
Spain's Indignados: The 'original' Occupy reemerges with force

One year after it burst onto the scene, Spain's youthful protest movement has inspired similar efforts globally – and is being embraced by older crowds. But will it shape policymaking?
Hollande's presidency begins with whirlwind day in Paris

French President François Hollande, inaugurated today, spoke about the need for unity and reiterated promises to invest in education.
Hollande's plane struck by lightning en route to Germany to meet Merkel (+video)

A quick trip to Germany is not unusual for a new French president. But François Hollande will bring a radically changed agenda when he meets Chancellor Merkel today.
Russians perplexed by Putin's snub of G8. Is it because of protests? Obama?

President Vladimir Putin said he is 'too busy' to attend the G8 summit. But Russians say he's either on edge about recent protests or intends to throw a wrench in the US-Russia 'reset.'
Has Norway given Breivik exactly what he wanted?

Norway's decision to try Anders Behring Breivik, the confessed killer behind the July 2011 terror attacks, is controversial because it gives him a very public platform from which to share his views.
Man aims shoe at Breivik, marking first outburst in surprisingly calm trial (+video)

The brother of one of Anders Behring Breivik's victims launched a shoe at the confessed killer on a day that was already tense because of a controversial legal proposal.
Plane crash in Indonesia upends strategy to put Russian aviation on stronger path (+video)

The Russian Sukhoi SuperJet 100 that went down over Indonesia is seen as the struggling aviation industry's greatest hope. The crash will cast a shadow, even if human error is the cause.
Is Greece headed for do-over election?

Greece's far-left party Syriza, which came in second in elections, failed to form a coalition with either mainstream party today. Third-place PASOK will get a chance next, but its prospects seem dim.
Breivik trial turns more confrontational as Utøya witnesses begin testimony

The Labor Party youth camp attendees who were on Utøya island when Anders Behring Breivik went on a shooting rampage, killing 69, began their testimony today.