Europe

When Russia annexed Crimea, it set relations with Western societies on a confrontation course. Four years after Russian President Vladimir Putin's brazen gamble, NPR looks at how people in Crimea view the union with Russia.

The decision to establish an age of consent in the country for the first time follows two cases involving men who had escaped rape charges despite intercourse with 11-year-old girls.

Ireland has already legalized divorce and same-sex marriage. Will abortion be next? In a May referendum, voters will weigh in on whether to allow unrestricted abortion up to 12 weeks into a pregnancy.

Sergei Skripal, a retired Russian intelligence colonel living in exile in the U.K. following his conviction in Russia on espionage charges, suddenly fell ill from an "unknown substance" on Sunday.

Microbe-free bovine life would be rough. Cows rely on single-cell accomplices for their digestion, so scientists are looking for ways to use these bugs to improve cows' eating and burping habits.

Sergei Skripal, 66, fell ill in a Salisbury shopping mall on Sunday. He was convicted in 2006 of having handed over the identities of Russian spies to MI6.

The success of the 5-Star Movement and the right-wing League in Sunday's election is the worst blow to the European Union since British voters chose to leave the EU two years ago.

Roger Bannister's 3:59:4 mile in 1954 unlocked the door to what was possible in track — both physically and psychologically.

Italy goes to the polls Sunday following one of the country's nastiest campaigns. We look at the implications for Italy and the EU.