Europe Archives

News in Brief

Letter from Spain: Inside The Maternity Ward

At Barcelona Maternity, obstetric nurses are considered the backbone of one of Spain's most beloved institutions. Today they are weathering longer shifts and dramatic cutbacks. How austerity is about much more than money.

Marc Herman

Environment

Wood Pellets Energizing Europe, Timber Industry

A thriving transatlantic trade in compressed wood scraps is creating New World timber jobs and meeting Old World clean energy requirements.

Michael Scott Moore

Social Justice

The Dutch Can Handle Their Pot

A researcher who compared the Netherlands' marijuana use with that of other European countries and the U.S. finds the Dutch regime of tolerated small sales of cannabis does not lead to a drug free-for-all.

Emily Badger

Economics

High-Speed Rail Will Impact America’s Freight Trains

America's very successful freight train system will have to make some compromises to accommodate high-speed rail, but those needn't be the end of the world.

Michael Scott Moore

News in Brief

High-Speed Rail’s Weak Link Is Security

Keeping trains safe and keeping trains moving has been a balancing act in Germany, and so far all the weights are on the side of no waiting.

Michael Scott Moore

News in Brief

Irish Government Moves to Abolish Senate

Caught in a devastating economic crisis, Ireland considers killing off this political body, Seanad Éireann, which many see as a vestigial organ from the country’s bifurcated founding.

Colin Murphy

Economics

Report: Europe Competed to Sell Libya Weapons

An international report on arms transfers suggests Europeans were eager to sell weapons to Gadhafi before Libya's uprising this winter.

Melinda Burns

Social Justice

Researchers Say Guinness Beer More Enjoyable in Ireland

In a tongue-in-cheek analysis appropriate for St. Patrick's Day, four intrepid researchers conclude that Guinness beer is more enjoyable when surrounded by Ireland.

Anna Davison

Social Justice

‘Shooting Galleries’ Take Aim at Illicit Drug Market

The idea that governments can reduce both addiction and street crime — and maybe bleed black markets dry — by managing drug distribution has gained momentum.

Michael Scott Moore

News in Brief

Contending With Afghan Heroin (And How Not To)

European governments have taken two divergent paths in dealing with the resurrected flow of narcotics from Afghanistan, legalization and an American-style war on drugs.

Michael Scott Moore