Olga Tokarczuk, 57, won the Nobel Prize for "a narrative imagination that with encyclopedic passion represents the crossing of boundaries as a form of life," according to the Swedish Academy, which chooses the literature laureate.
The partially free vote on June 4, 1989, handed victory to a government led by the Solidarity trade union and triggered a series of events culminating in the fall of the Berlin Wall that November.
New research shows how recent laws have slowly eroded the role of nongovernmental agencies all over the world . Experts have said that these actions threaten democracy in countries where institutions have already become weak. See where and how laws like these have had their biggest impact.
Negotiators created rules to help the world meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. But the UN climate chief still told the delegation, "Climate change is still running faster than us."
Negotiators are far from the breakthrough agreement that most say is needed at the UN climate summit in Poland. And fingers are being pointed at the US for playing the heavy.
Coal smog can make many poles feel like they're living in the 19th century. Now a growing grassroots movement is pushing local and national governments to cut smog and rethink the country's heavy reliance on coal.
This year's global climate conference is convening in the heart of Poland's coal country. Poland's leaders are vowing to continue their heavy reliance on coal, but the politics and economics of the highly-polluting fuel are starting to shift.
"Leaders of the world, you must lead," urged naturalist David Attenborough, who was given a "people's seat" at the two-week UN climate conference in Katowice, Poland, alongside two dozen heads of state and government.
Katowice, home to one of Poland's oldest coal mines, closed in March. Now the city will host a series of UN talks on climate change. Budding artists have embraced the cleaner air and inspiration as the coal mining industry changes, others miss the community spirit.
Anchor Lisa Mullins gets another perspective on the US presidential race from three European reporters who cover American politics for readers back home: Corine Lesnes writes for the French newspaper Le Monde
The answer is Krakow, Poland. Anchor Marco Werman speaks with the BBC's Adam Easton about Krakow's brand new Jewish cultural center. It's part of a renewed interest in Poland's Jewish communities, which were decimated by the Nazis during World War Two.
Anchor Marco Werman speaks with collector Sam Sarowitz about the different ways Hollywood posters are adapted to market films oversees; Sarowitz is the author of a new book on the subject, "Translating Hollywood."
We're calling today's Geo Quiz a "Geo-political Quiz." Anchor Marco Werman gets questions and answers from Carolyn O'Hara, senior editor at Foreign Policy magazine.
The answer to today's Geo Quiz is Zagan in Poland. The town is the site of a former Nazi prisoner of war camp featured in the movie "The Great Escape." Host Katy Clark speaks with military historian Howard Tuck about ongoing efforts to commemorate the daring break-out of Allied prisoners held at the camp.
The U.S. and Poland signed an agreement today to locate part of Washington's missile defense system on Polish territory. Russia objects to it, and today said it would respond with more than diplomatic protests. The World's Jason Margolis has the story.
Poland's last communist leader, General Wojciech Jaruzelski is on trial in Poland. He and seven other former officials are charged with committing "communist crimes." Anchor Marco Werman finds out more from reporter Rafal Motriuk of Radio Poland.
Researchers have confirmed through DNA testing that remains in an unmarked grave in central Poland are that of Nicholaus Copernicus. Anchor Marco Werman has more.
There's a new Jewish museum being built in Warsaw. It's not a Holocaust remembrance musem. It's dedicated to the centuries of Jewish life and culture in Poland. Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska has the story.
President Obama announced a new US missile defense plan � it shifts away from a previous plan by the Bush Administration to build a missile defense system in Poland and the Czech Republic. The World's Jason Margolis begins our coverage.
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Global Politics
European reaction to US presidential race
The World
February 06, 2008
Anchor Lisa Mullins gets another perspective on the US presidential race from three European reporters who cover American politics for readers back home: Corine Lesnes writes for the French newspaper Le Monde
Lifestyle & Belief
Geo answer
The World
April 29, 2008
The answer is Krakow, Poland. Anchor Marco Werman speaks with the BBC's Adam Easton about Krakow's brand new Jewish cultural center. It's part of a renewed interest in Poland's Jewish communities, which were decimated by the Nazis during World War Two.
Arts, Culture & Media
Translating Hollywood
The World
May 30, 2008
Anchor Marco Werman speaks with collector Sam Sarowitz about the different ways Hollywood posters are adapted to market films oversees; Sarowitz is the author of a new book on the subject, "Translating Hollywood."
Geo quiz and answer
The World
June 06, 2008
We're calling today's Geo Quiz a "Geo-political Quiz." Anchor Marco Werman gets questions and answers from Carolyn O'Hara, senior editor at Foreign Policy magazine.
Arts, Culture & Media
Geo answer
The World
August 07, 2008
The answer to today's Geo Quiz is Zagan in Poland. The town is the site of a former Nazi prisoner of war camp featured in the movie "The Great Escape." Host Katy Clark speaks with military historian Howard Tuck about ongoing efforts to commemorate the daring break-out of Allied prisoners held at the camp.
Global Politics
U.S. and Poland sign missile shield deal
The World
August 20, 2008
The U.S. and Poland signed an agreement today to locate part of Washington's missile defense system on Polish territory. Russia objects to it, and today said it would respond with more than diplomatic protests. The World's Jason Margolis has the story.
Global Politics
Former Polish leader stands trial
The World
September 12, 2008
Poland's last communist leader, General Wojciech Jaruzelski is on trial in Poland. He and seven other former officials are charged with committing "communist crimes." Anchor Marco Werman finds out more from reporter Rafal Motriuk of Radio Poland.
Arts, Culture & Media
Copernicus remains confirmed
The World
November 21, 2008
Researchers have confirmed through DNA testing that remains in an unmarked grave in central Poland are that of Nicholaus Copernicus. Anchor Marco Werman has more.
Arts, Culture & Media
New Polish museum to celebrate Jewish life
The World
August 25, 2009
There's a new Jewish museum being built in Warsaw. It's not a Holocaust remembrance musem. It's dedicated to the centuries of Jewish life and culture in Poland. Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska has the story.
Global Politics
Obama's new missile defense plan
The World
September 17, 2009
President Obama announced a new US missile defense plan � it shifts away from a previous plan by the Bush Administration to build a missile defense system in Poland and the Czech Republic. The World's Jason Margolis begins our coverage.