Topic: Europe

Our first century

A mandate to 'lighten' still drives the Monitor at the dawn of its second 100 years.

Developing countries vow to shut door on Big Tobacco

150-plus nations agreed this weekend to cut lobbyists' ties to government.

Steel camels: Harleys rumble across Saudi sands

America's ultimate icon of letting loose has gone from Milwaukee to the land of Mecca and Medina, where members of the Middle East Harley Owners Group (HOG) held their ninth annual rally this weekend.

The Monitor's View: A Dickens of a Thanksgiving

After his father was jailed for debt, Dickens wrote: Reflect on your blessings.

Barnes & Noble interview with Khaled Hosseini

World

Brussels sprouts relaxed rules for fruits and vegetables

Changes will allow twisted, misshapen, and oddly colored produce on Europe's tables.

Report: Climate protests rising

The Worldwatch Institute reports that climate protests are escalating worldwide, as more and more people join movements to block the construction of coal-fired power plants and pressure their governments to mandate greenhouse-gas-emission caps.

On the trail of the blue butterfly

Travelers to Costa Rica discover that butterflies continually capture their attention.

Far right posting gains in England

Fueled by the recession, the groups have won members and seats in recent elections.

Letters to the Editor

Readers write about the US government's role in the global tobacco industry, whether the Democrats will end partisanship in Washington, and Europe's reaction to the election of Barack Obama.

US colleges regain luster for foreigners

After a post-9/11 drop-off, the State Department has taken steps to ease foreigners' concerns.

Obama promises "new chapter" in climate leadership

Barack Obama delivered a brief video message Wednesday to the Governors' Global Climate Summit in Beverly Hills, Calif., in which he unequivocally affirmed the scientific basis of climate change and vowed to take action on cutting carbon emissions, in spite of the troubled global economy.

In Beijing, author treads fine line as she tells Tibet's story

Woeser has sued the government, investigated Tibet's March uprising, and flouted the official line about Tibet.

Letters to the Editor

Readers write about whether marriage is a right guaranteed by the Constitution, reverting back to the gold standard, and the benefits of cycling to work.

For Europe, Obama revives positive image of America's unique identity

US exceptionalism had largely been seen here as a messianic rationale for use of power by a nation assuming special prerogatives.

ETA military mastermind arrested in France

Coordinated efforts between Spanish and French police have resulted in the second arrest of an ETA leader since May.

Bored at work? Read this.

A third of all U.S. workers struggle with 'boreout.' But there are remedies.

Osama Bin Laden 'largely isolated' from Al Qaeda, says CIA

Yet the Al Qaeda organization remains the "most clear and present danger to US security," Director Michael Hayden said in a speech Thursday.

World

To battle obesity, Britain creates nine 'healthy towns'

With the highest obesity rates in Europe, Britain is investing £30 million ($45 million) to cut the fat.

With crisis spreading, G-20 leaders eye quick relief

The G-20 nations, representing most of the world's economy and population, are convening with the knowledge that they will sink or swim together.

World

Financial crisis threatens climate-change momentum

Experts fear the credit crunch will discourage governments worldwide from turning to taxpayers for assistance in climate-change efforts.

Farming superpower Brazil spreads its know-how

It is bringing the technologies of tropical farming to other parts of Latin America, and to Africa and Asia.