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Sunday

Latvia Pushes To Limit Russian Language In Effort To Strengthen National Identity

A century after it first became an independent country, Latvia is still grappling with identity issues surrounding it's decades of Soviet rule.

Latvia Pushes To Limit Russian Language In Effort To Strengthen National Identity

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Low Turnout In Referendum Throws Macedonian Name Change Into Question

A man casts his vote at a polling station on Sunday in Tetovo, Macedonia. Macedonians all across the country went to the polls to vote in a referendum to change the country's name to the Republic of North Macedonia and end a long running dispute with Greece. Chris McGrath/Getty Images hide caption

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Chris McGrath/Getty Images

News

Low Turnout In Referendum Throws Macedonian Name Change Into Question

The referendum to add "North" to Macedonia's name fell far short of the required 50 percent needed to be implemented, but the country's prime minister is pushing for the measure anyway.

Germany's Far-Right AfD Party Now Polls Second

Björn Höcke (center), a politician from the Alternative for Germany party, participates in a march in Chemnitz, eastern Germany, on Sept. 1, after several nationalist groups called for marches protesting the killing of a German man allegedly by migrants. Jens Meyer/AP hide caption

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Jens Meyer/AP

World

Germany's Far-Right AfD Party Now Polls Second

It is the latest sign that many citizens are drawn to a populist movement that is reshaping politics in Germany by focusing debate squarely on immigration.

Friday

Police In Netherlands Arrest 7 Suspected In Terrorist Plot To Attack 'Large Event'

A frame grab from a police video shows Netherlands officers arresting suspects in a car park in Weert in the southern Netherlands, Thursday. Netherlands Police via AP hide caption

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Netherlands Police via AP

Police In Netherlands Arrest 7 Suspected In Terrorist Plot To Attack 'Large Event'

Dutch police executed a raid in two cities, Arnhem and Weert, arresting the suspects who they said were looking for bomb-making supplies and Kalashnikov rifles to use in the attack.

Thursday

Journalist: Poland's Shift Toward Authoritarianism Is A 'Red Flag' For Democracy

Fresh Air

Atlantic journalist Anne Applebaum says the changes taking place in Poland — including a rise of conspiracy theories and attacks on the free press — mirror similar shifts happening in the U.S.

Journalist: Poland's Shift Toward Authoritarianism Is A 'Red Flag' For Democracy

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Europe's Copyright Reforms Are More Than (Just) A Boring Policy Change

Günther Oettinger, commissioner of the digital single market for the European Union, in a presentation on copyright reform on December 9, 2015 in Brussels. Thierry Monasse/Corbis via Getty Images hide caption

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Thierry Monasse/Corbis via Getty Images

Music News

Europe's Copyright Reforms Are More Than (Just) A Boring Policy Change

Two weeks ago, the European Commission approved new rules that will change how tech companies are required to deal with copyright infringement on their platforms. Unsurprisingly, it was controversial.

Pussy Riot's Verzilov Released From Berlin Hospital, Blames Kremlin For Poisoning Him

Pyotr Verzilov, a member of the feminist protest group Pussy Riot, photographed during an interview with The Associated Press in Moscow, in early September. Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP hide caption

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Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP

Pussy Riot's Verzilov Released From Berlin Hospital, Blames Kremlin For Poisoning Him

In a BBC interview after his discharge from Berlin's Charité hospital, Verzilov said his "poisoning" was "so professionally" carried out that it had to be the work of Russian intelligence.

Man Accused In U.K. Nerve-Agent Attack Is Russian Intelligence Officer, Report Says

Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov, charged with the attempted murder of ex-spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia. A new report says Boshirov is actually Anatoly Chepiga, a Russian military intelligence officer. U.K. Metropolitan Police/AP hide caption

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U.K. Metropolitan Police/AP

Man Accused In U.K. Nerve-Agent Attack Is Russian Intelligence Officer, Report Says

Bellingcat, an open-source investigative website, says it has discovered the real identity of one of the Russian men charged in the U.K. with poisoning ex-spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter.

Wednesday

Pope Francis Urges Catholics To Trust Historic Agreement With China

Pope Francis released a letter on Wednesday urging Catholics to trust his decision to form an agreement with the Chinese government on the appointment of bishops in China. Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images hide caption

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Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images

World

Pope Francis Urges Catholics To Trust Historic Agreement With China

The statement on the appointment of bishops in China has sparked confusion and criticism among some Catholics. The pope reassured them that functionaries won't be named to deal with religious issues.

Britain's Labour Party Sees Brexit Standstill As An Opportunity

The leader of Britain's opposition Labour Party says if the U.K. government fails to get a Brexit agreement with the European Union his party would press for a general election.

Britain's Labour Party Sees Brexit Standstill As An Opportunity

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Where 'Human Zoos' Once Stood, A Belgian Museum Now Faces Its Colonial Past

In 1897, Belgian King Leopold brought 267 Congolese people to his country estate to display them in a mock African village — a practice referred to as a human zoo. Alphonse Gautier/RMCA, Tervuren hide caption

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Alphonse Gautier/RMCA, Tervuren

History

Where 'Human Zoos' Once Stood, A Belgian Museum Now Faces Its Colonial Past

When the Royal Museum for Central Africa reopens, it intends to finally confront a sordid part of Belgium's history — the exploitation led by King Leopold II which killed millions in Congo.