Netherlands

Bulgaria's Foreign Ministry has downplayed commens by Austrian top diplomat Sebastian Kurz, who earlier argued Sofia sided with Vienna on the need to freeze membership talks with Turkey.

A Dutch court convicted populist anti-Islam lawmaker Geert Wilders of hate speech Dec. 9 at the end of a trial he branded a politically motivated "charade" that endangered freedom of speech.

An atelier in Turkey's northwest has become a favorite for musicians in different parts of the world looking for unique cymbals instead of the cookie-cutter variety available in so many parts of the world.

Turkey's Directorate of Religious Affairs (Diyanet) has gathered intelligence via imams from 38 countries on the activities of suspected followers of the U.S.-based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gülen, widely believed to be the mastermind of the failed July 15 coup attempt. 

Bulgaria hosted on Friday the Third Global Summit for Improving the Standard of Care for Preemies, bringing together participants from five continents who united efforts to discuss ways of saving the life and health of premature babies, organizers say.

Those who believe in the idea of a united Europe, the so-called pro-Europeans, were left with mixed feelings following the results of a referendum in Italy and a repeat presidential election in Austria. While the "No" victory was expected in Italy, few could imagine such a big difference between the two camps.

An estimated 60,000 Greeks - as well as many more depositors in countries around the world - are worried about the introduction of the Common Reporting Standard (CRS), which goes into effect on January 1, 2017.

Austria's far-right presidential candidate was soundly defeated on Dec. 4, confounding forecasts of a tight election in which he would ride a wave of populism sweeping the West.

Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi resigned early on Monday after a severe blow delivered by the results of a referendum on constitutional changes.

The "No" vote leads with 60%, while 40% voted "Yes". Renzi had vowed to step down in case of a majority of "No" votes.

Traditionally, land and border disputes result in long, bloody battles. But judging from the unusual agreement reached between Belgium and the Netherlands this week, it would appear that not all territorial exchanges have to be contentious and devisive.