The article by Josie Le Blond for USA TODAY discusses the increasing tensions in Georgia ahead of the parliamentary elections. The elections are portrayed as a pivotal moment for the country's democracy, especially after a prison abuse scandal that has brought thousands to protest and boosted the opposition's campaign. The vote is a close contest between President Mikheil Saakashvili's UNM party and the opposition Georgian Dream coalition led by billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili. The article highlights the country's progress since the Rose Revolution but also points out the growing impatience with the government, especially among the youth. It touches on Saakashvili's perceived authoritarian rule and the potential for change that Ivanishvili represents, despite uncertainties about his policies. The importance of a fair and free election is emphasized as a means to calm the situation and demonstrate Georgia's democratic development.

Mohamed Dhib, a Syrian electrician and father of four, has been volunteering to improve living conditions at Kara Tepe, a refugee accommodation facility on the Greek island of Lesvos. After fleeing war-torn Syria, Mohamed and his family sought asylum in Greece. While living in Kara Tepe, he volunteered with the Dutch NGO Movement on the Ground to install solar panels and connect prefabricated houses to power. UNHCR has been instrumental in providing housing and transferring refugees from Moria to Kara Tepe and other accommodations. Mohamed's family has since moved to an apartment in Mytilene, operated by UNHCR's local partner Iliaktida, but he continues to volunteer at Kara Tepe. His efforts have included creating a vegetable garden and acting as a community leader. The family has been granted refugee status and a three-year Greek visa, and Mohamed is now seeking paid work as a handyman, plumber, and electrician.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel have strongly condemned the violent protests against refugees in the eastern German town of Heidenau. Over the weekend, far-right extremists clashed with police, injuring more than 30 officers, and shouted neo-Nazi slogans. Germany is expecting a significant increase in asylum seekers, which has led to numerous arson attacks on shelters. Gabriel visited Heidenau to address local concerns and emphasize the government's stance against far-right violence. The town, which has seen support for the far-right National Democratic Party, is struggling with its image as a welcoming place amidst the recent unrest. The article highlights the tension between the influx of refugees, mainly from war-torn and southeastern European countries, and the rise of far-right extremism in Germany.

The article discusses the impact of Edward Snowden's revelations on the German federal election campaign of Chancellor Angela Merkel. It highlights the German public's outrage over privacy breaches and the government's handling of the surveillance scandal, which could potentially affect Merkel's re-election bid. The article mentions the skepticism surrounding the government's assurances that foreign agencies have observed German laws, and the criticism faced by the German intelligence agency, the BND, for its alleged cooperation with the NSA. It also touches on the opposition parties' responses to the scandal and the public's disappointment with the lack of concrete solutions to protect civil liberties. Despite the controversy, Merkel is expected to win the election by focusing on financial stability.

The article recounts the emotional visit of Helga Lemer, her daughter Barbara Anders, and her son Robin to the site of a new 'Stolperstein' memorial in Berlin, dedicated to Helga's mother, Gertrud Kirsch, a victim of the Holocaust. The Stolperstein, a brass plate embedded in the pavement, marks the last residence of Gertrud before she was deported by the Nazis to Riga and murdered. The article details Helga's memories of her life in Nazi Germany, the rise of anti-Semitism, and the fateful day she left her mother to escape to Britain. It also touches on the broader Stolpersteine project, which aims to commemorate the victims of Nazi persecution by placing memorials at their last known residences. The visit serves as a poignant reminder of the individual lives lost during the Holocaust and the importance of remembering their stories.