Europe

World News

World War II Soviet Spy Dies At 103. Russia And Poland Remember Him Differently

6:02pm February 14, 2020

by Lucian Kim

A Soviet spy has died at the age of 103. Russians claim he saved the Polish city of Krakow from destruction by Nazis. Polish historians tell a different story.

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In Germany, The Bridegroom's Oak Is Full Of Romantic History

7:10am February 14, 2020

In 1890, a young woman fell in love. Her father didn't approve of the man so they wrote letters and left them in a knothole in the oak. The BBC reports the tree is responsible for dozens of marriages.

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Wow Airlines' Bankruptcy Puts A Chill On Iceland's Tourism

6:23am February 14, 2020

by Jackie Northam

A budget airline helped open up Iceland to the masses and add to the nation's economic growth. The airline's collapse has had an equally profound impact on Iceland's economy.

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A pro-democracy protestor holds a placard ahead of a meeting between the Vice President of the European Commission for Values and Transparency, Vera Jourova, and the First President of Poland's Supreme Court, Malgorzata Gersdorf, in front of the Supreme C

World News

Poland's Overhaul Of Its Courts Leads To Confrontation With European Union

4:41pm February 13, 2020

by Rob Schmitz

The country's ruling Law and Justice party has sought to dramatically reshape the courts, triggering popular protests and threatening Poland's status within the EU parliamentary process.

World News

EU Considers Sanctions Against Poland For Overhauling Its Judiciary

8:25am February 13, 2020

by Rob Schmitz

Poland is under the threat of sanctions from the EU and might lose its voting rights in the bloc because of moves by the country's ruling party to restrict the independence of Polish judges.

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German Farmer's Marriage Proposal Shows Up On Google Maps

6:34am February 13, 2020

Steffen Schwarz wrote "Will you marry me?" in German across his cornfield and then got his fiancee to fly a drone overhead. She said "yes." A satellite captured the field, and it's on Google Maps.

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Organziers of the Mobile World Congress had resisted calls to cancel the event, but reversed course after major companies pulled out over coronavirus fears.

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Major Smartphone Trade Show Canceled In Barcelona Amid Coronavirus Concerns

4:56pm February 12, 2020

by Shannon Bond

Organizers have called off the annual Mobile World Congress in Spain after a slew of high-profile tech companies pulled out, citing concerns over the spreading coronavirus outbreak.

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Chancellor Angela Merkel's Chosen Successor Steps Away, Adding To German Uncertainty

5:22pm February 10, 2020

by Rob Schmitz

German Chancellor Angela Merkel had been hoping for a smooth transfer of power when she steps down next year. But now her chosen successor says she doesn't want the country's top job.

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald (dressed in red and black) celebrates with party supporters Sunday after receiving poll results in Dublin.

World News

3 Big Takeaways From Sinn Fein's Stunning Surge In Ireland

4:26pm February 10, 2020

by Colin Dwyer

The party's impressive election showing outpaced the country's two major parties and forced a political reckoning. So how did Sinn Fein shed its IRA-linked baggage and become the party of the young?

Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, German Chancellor Angela Merkel's designated successor, says she will quit her role as head of the Germany's strongest party in summer and won't stand for the chancellorship.

World News

Merkel's Succession Plan Falls Apart As Her Protégée Bows Out

1:24pm February 10, 2020

by Merrit Kennedy

"I regard this decision with great respect, though I greatly regret it," German Chancellor Angela Merkel said after Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer announced that she won't run for chancellor.