Europe

President Vladimir Putin speaks in Moscow on Dec. 23. Russia's current economic crisis stems from Western sanctions and diving oil prices.

Sanctions Intensify Russia's Free Fall Into Economic Crisis

11:39am December 31, 2014

by Jim Zarroli

The Russian economy took a big hit in 2014. The U.S. and other countries imposed economic sanctions after Russia annexed Crimea, but it was falling oil prices that really hurt the country.

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World News

Putin Critics Say Navalny Jail Sentences Meant To Crush Opposition

6:30pm December 30, 2014

by Corey Flintoff

A Moscow judge has sentenced opposition leader Alexei Navalny and his brother to over three years in prison for allegedly defrauding Yve Rocher Cosmetics of almost $500,000.

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World News

If There's A Will, There's Now A Way (To Access Them In The U.K.)

6:30pm December 30, 2014

The U.K. government has created a digital database of wills, stretching back to 1858. This means that, for a small fee, anyone can access the last wishes of even many of the most famous Brits.

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Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny and his brother Oleg Navalny (right) appear at Moscow's Zamoskvoretsky District Court on Tuesday for the announcement of a verdict in the Yves Rocher fraud case. Alexei Navalny was given a 3 1/2-year suspended sent

World News

Russian Opposition Figure Detained Hours After Suspended Sentence

5:49pm December 30, 2014

by Krishnadev Calamur

Alexei Navalny broke his house arrest after he was convicted of fraud and given a 3 1/2-year suspended sentence. Navalny was a leader of the protests by opposition groups in Moscow three years ago.

World News

Russian Court Suspends Opposition Leader's Prison Sentence

12:17pm December 30, 2014

by Corey Flintoff

Alexei Navalny is an anti-corruption blogger who helped organize massive anti-government protests 3 years ago. He's been the target of criminal cases that have hampered his political activities.

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Political Crisis Hammers Greece's Financial Markets

12:17pm December 30, 2014

by Joanna Kakissis

Markets in Greece were hit hard after the country called early elections. But this time, the problems in Greece are not spreading to markets in the rest of the eurozone.

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Children gather outside the El Transito synagogue and Sephardic Museum in Toledo, Spain. Founded in 1357, the synagogue was converted into a church following the expulsion of Jews from Spain in 1492. Spain is now preparing to pass a law that would allow d

World News

After 522 Years, Spain Seeks To Make Amends For Expulsion Of Jews

9:21am December 30, 2014

by Emily Harris

Spain's monarchy decimated the Jewish population by expelling, killing or forcibly converting Jews in 1492. Now the country may offer their descendants Spanish citizenship.

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World News

At Least 10 Dead After Ferry Fire Off Greek Coast

10:03pm December 29, 2014

by Eyder Peralta

Monday morning, rescue crews finished airlifting survivors to safety. Video from a coast guard helicopter showed a black plume of smoke billowing from the vessel.

World News

British Health Care Worker Tests Positive For Ebola

5:07pm December 29, 2014

by Krishnadev Calamur

The patient, who had worked in an Ebola clinic in Sierra Leone, arrived in Glasgow, Scotland, late Sunday via London and Casablanca, Morocco. This is the first Ebola case diagnosed in the U.K.

In Britain, A Christmas Tradition Of Slapstick And Silliness

12:13pm December 29, 2014

by Ari Shapiro

For centuries, British families have celebrated the Christmas season by attending "pantomimes," silly musical comedies of stories such as Aladdin and Cinderella. The tradition is alive and well today.

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