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Joanna Kakissis

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In The Land Of Dracula, Witches Work As 'Life Coaches' Of The Supernatural

Magic "is beautiful and dangerous — it is a fight between good and evil," says third-generation witch Mihaela Minca. A 2014 survey found that in Romania, one in five people believe witches have powers. Joanna Kakissis for NPR/NPR hide caption

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Joanna Kakissis for NPR/NPR

Europe

In The Land Of Dracula, Witches Work As 'Life Coaches' Of The Supernatural

In the U.S., we tend to only hear about witches on Halloween, but in Romania, they have year-round work. Mihaela Minca, who has been practicing magic since age 7, is a third-generation witch.

In The Land Of Dracula, Witches Work As 'Life Coaches' Of The Supernatural

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Europe

EU Member States Probe 2 High-Profile Murders Of Journalists

The rape and murder of a journalist in Bulgaria has prompted international concern about press freedom there, even though the motive for her killing is still unclear. The other murder was in Malta.

EU Member States Probe 2 High-Profile Murders Of Journalists

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Europe

German Police Arrest Suspect In Rape And Killing Of Bulgarian TV Journalist

Police in Germany have arrested a suspect in the killing of a Bulgarian journalist. The murder of the reporter, described as a fighter and truth-seeker, has shocked her hometown and unnerved the European Union.

German Police Arrest Suspect In Rape And Killing Of Bulgarian TV Journalist

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Europe

Concerns Grow Over China's Influence On European Ports

European Union leaders want to put the brakes on Chinese investment in European harbors, after China snapped up stakes in several ports from Greece to Belgium in the last decade.

Concerns Grow Over China's Influence On European Ports

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Chinese Firms Now Hold Stakes In Over A Dozen European Ports
Vanessa Qian/NPR

China Unbound

Chinese Firms Now Hold Stakes In Over A Dozen European Ports

China's expansion into European ports is part of its new Maritime Silk Road, which aims to better connect the country to global commercial hubs. But this is about more than just moving cargo.

Chinese Firms Now Hold Stakes In Over A Dozen European Ports

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Romanian Referendum To Ban Same-Sex Marriage Fails

A man sits draped in a rainbow flag in a nightclub in Bucharest, Romania on Sunday after learning election results. A referendum to redefine marriage as between a man and a woman failed to attract the minimum number of voters and the result was invalidated. Andreea Alexandru/AP hide caption

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Andreea Alexandru/AP

Europe

Romanian Referendum To Ban Same-Sex Marriage Fails

In failing to meet the minimum turnout, voters rejected a constitutional amendment championed by religious groups that would have defined marriage as between a man and a woman.

Romanian Referendum To Ban Same-Sex Marriage Fails

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Romanian Referendum Seeks To Broaden Same-Sex Marriage Restrictions In Eastern Europe

A Romanian Christian-Orthodox nun votes at a polling station in the village of Branesti, Romania, in a referendum to change the constitutional definition of "family", on October 6, 2018. Daniel Mihailescu/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Daniel Mihailescu/AFP/Getty Images

World

Romanian Referendum Seeks To Broaden Same-Sex Marriage Restrictions In Eastern Europe

Romania is one of several Eastern European nations that already ban both same-sex marriage and same-sex unions in civil law. Now it's trying to ban it in the constitution.

Europe

Referendum To Change Macedonia's Name Falls Short Of Voter Requirement

On Sunday, voters in Macedonia were asked whether the country's name should be changed to North Macedonia. It appears voter turnout for the referendum fell short of what's required.

Referendum To Change Macedonia's Name Falls Short Of Voter Requirement

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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.

Middle East

Greek Police Jails Rescuer Of Fellow Asylum Seekers

A Syrian refugee who was lauded for helping to rescue fellow migrants in 2015 has now been arrested by Greek police, accused of various charges including people smuggling.

Greek Police Jails Rescuer Of Fellow Asylum Seekers

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Europe

Belgian Museum Looks At Country's History Of Colonialism And Racism

Belgium's only museum devoted to Central Africa, where Belgium was a colonial power, is being renovated to highlight the deaths of millions of Congolese and the display of others in "human zoos."

Belgian Museum Looks At Country's History Of Colonialism And Racism

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Europe

Greece's International Bailout Ends, But That Doesn't Mean Immediate Improvements

The international bailout of Greece officially ends Monday, but after years of austerity, many Greeks will not see an immediate improvement in their lives.

Greece's International Bailout Ends, But That Doesn't Mean Immediate Improvements

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In Amsterdam, Even The Tourists Say There Are Too Many Tourists

Fewer than 1 million people live in Amsterdam, but almost 20 million visit each year. The city is working to crack down on "overtourism." Above, bicycles are parked outside Sexyland nightclub. Horacio Villalobos/Corbis via Getty Images hide caption

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Horacio Villalobos/Corbis via Getty Images

Europe

In Amsterdam, Even The Tourists Say There Are Too Many Tourists

Fewer than 1 million people live in Amsterdam, but almost 20 million visit each year. A "night mayor" and initiatives to address "overtourism" encourage revelers to treat the city with respect.

In Amsterdam, Even The Tourists Say There Are Too Many Tourists

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