Topic: Europe

Germany debates release of Red Army terrorist

The Red Army's Christian Klar was sentenced to five life terms. Last week, after 26 years in jail – and no apologies from Klar – he was set free.

Forget Depp: Somali pirates risk all for riches, women

In cash-strapped, hungry Somalia, the pirate life may be risky, but payoffs are huge.

World

World

Should ground troops hunt pirates in Somalia?

A Bush administration proposal to allow foreign forces to go ashore in Somalia to hunt the country's notorious pirates is getting a cool reception from US military leaders, regional analysts, and some Somali officials.

Japan quietly seeks global leadership niches

The island nation seeks to carve out a bigger role in world affairs as a 'soft power.'

Paris bomb scare raises question: jihadis, or not?

The note announcing the explosives lacked references to Islam, jihad, or the Taliban.

Letters to the Editor

Readers write about retooling the UN Human Rights Council; why auto suppliers need a bailout, too; the Federal Reserve's role in creating the housing bubble; and barring illegal workers from US jobs.

The Monitor's View: Big victory against global bribery

A record fine against Siemens hints at success in the US and Europe in curbing payoffs.

A global trade decline?

In a rare alignment, most of the world's big economies are expected to shrink.

Le Corbusier: A Life

The guru of modernism is now revealed through a rich trove of letters.

The Monitor's View: Rescue US autoworkers first

Give them a way to get out of companies due for downsizing.

Australia's climate plans aim low

Australia pledged to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 5 to 15 percent below 2000 levels by 2020, targets that are far less than what scientists say is necessary to prevent catastrophic climate change.

UN adds Pakistani militants to terrorist watch list

The three Pakistanis and one Saudi named belong to Lashkar-e-Taiba.

Belgium charges six with connections to a terrorist group

A yearlong investigation led to the arrests and charges, which come amid an EU summit in Brussels. One suspect is believed to have been preparing for a suicide attack.

At Poland climate talks, Al Gore calls for tough CO2 limits

Speaking at the international climate talks in Poznań, Poland, on Friday, Al Gore called for a stricter upper limit on greenhouse-gas concentrations in the atmosphere.

Study: Elephants in zoos live much shorter lives

Elephants in captivity in Europe have a far shorter median lifespan than those living in protected areas in Africa and Asia, a new study has found.

Cuban activists say they were beaten on eve of 60th human rights anniversary

Leading Cuban activist Belinda Salas says she and others were beaten Wednesday after leaving the US Interests Section in Havana.

Britain abuzz over a new plan to arm bobbies with Tasers

Expansion of stun-gun use faces a mixed reaction from the largely unarmed police service.

Reporters on the Job

In Europe, same-sex showdown moves to UN

The Vatican fears the EU effort might open the door to gay marriage. The US is staying silent.

US students improve in math

But science scores are stagnant in an international study of fourth- and eighth-graders.

Letters to the Editor

Readers write about the bailout of the Big Three, relations between the US and Nicaragua, how France can learn a lesson from Obama's election, and why the Fairness Doctrine should be reinstated.

What Matters

Photography that challenges us to make a difference.

Mexico braces for fallout from Detroit

Auto woes of the Big Three could hurt plants south of the border – and spur migration north.