Von der Leyen approves Dutch nomination for climate Commissioner but clips his wings
Social Democrats said they would not simply roll over regarding Hoekstra’s nomination.
Facebook suspends Australian fact-checking operation amid interference scandal
Facebook has suspended one of its fact-checking organisations in Australia that came under scrutiny for apparently promoting a left-leaning bias and working without a licence,…
Security personnel shortage ‘puts Paris Olympics at risk’
A year before the Olympic Games in Paris, experts say there is a worrying lack of security personnel.
Pope causes outrage with remarks to Russian youths
Pope Francis has caused outrage in Europe and the US after telling Russian youths on August 28 to remember that they are the heirs of "the great Russian Empire".
Zelenskyy says elections ‘could happen during war’, with help from the West
In a lengthy interview on Ukrainian TV, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he would like to hold elections in 2024 - but he will need help for that to become a reality.
German Christian Democrats refuse to cooperate with AfD
Germany's main opposition leader Friedrich Merz said on August 27 that any form of cooperation with the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) is ruled out, in contrast…
Belgian media rocked by child pornography investigation
Sven Pichal (44), one of the most prominent voices on Dutch-speaking radio in Belgium, has been arrested for allegedly owning and distributing images of child abuse.
French Left ‘unity’ debate descends into chaos
The atmosphere turned toxic at a meeting of representatives from the French Greens party and the hard-left La France Insoumise (LFI) party over the weekend as they discussed…
Migrants swamp Lampedusa as EU agreement with Tunisia flounders
On August 25, almost 2,000 people in more than 60 boats reached the island. A day later, just under 1,800 came.
Polls suggest seismic shift in Dutch politics
The brand new political party of Pieter Omtzigt, a popular centrist politician in the Netherlands, is already the biggest in the country, according to the latest polling over…
‘Eco-friendly’ straws found to contain ‘forever chemicals’
A new study shows that paper and bamboo drinking-straws contain PFAS - per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances that are often referred to as “forever chemicals” because they…
Danish filmmaker Lars von Trier faces criticism after stating ‘Russian lives matter also’
Controversial Danish filmmaker Lars von Trier is facing a major backlash after writing on Instagram that "Russian lives matter also", slamming the decision of his country's…
Teach children self-defence to combat rising violence, party says
Belgium has been rocked by some shocking videos of gangs teaming up and beating up lone, young victims.
BRICS group invites six new members and ‘choice of these countries is far from insignificant’
The BRICS alliance of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa has invited Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to join.
Belgium concerned over ‘dodgy dentists from Romania’
Low-skilled dentists from Romania are causing a headache in Belgium but, because of EU rules, authorities in Belgium are powerless to act.
Controversial French rapper Médine no longer welcome at Belgian festival
While the controversial rapper Médine is set to appear at a meeting of the French Greens party, a Belgian festival has cancelled his show over the weekend of August 26-27,…
Italy detains three NGO migrant ships
Italian authorities have seized three ships in the past few days used to transport migrants to Europe. The vessels belong to the NGOs Open Arms, Sea-Eye and Sea-Watch.
Moscow may annex Georgian breakaway regions, former Russian president says
Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev said that South Ossetia and Abkhazia in the Caucasus, which most countries recognise as parts…
French nuclear reactor authorised to operate for up to 50 years
France's Autorité de Sûreté Nucléaire (ASN – Nuclear Safety Authority) has greenlighted the extension of the Tricastin nuclear power plant lifespan by 10 years, meaning…
Belgium: while French-speaking jobless refuse work in Flanders, employers look for manpower abroad
New figures show how wide the gap between Dutch-speaking Flanders and Francophone Wallonia is in Belgium.
Timmermans lays out his vision for Netherlands
In his first speech spearheading the Netherlands' combined list of Socialists (PvdA) and Greens (GroenLinks) parties for the November general elections, former European Commissioner…
Meta’s fact-checkers caught interfering in Australian referendum
Facebook’s parent company Meta blocked and deplatformed a number of people in Australia by using false fact-checks - in violation of its own code of principles.
Austria: ‘European security architecture impossible without Russia’
Austria’s foreign minister Alexander Schallenberg said the countries of Europe cannot "cancel Russia" and cut off dialogue with Moscow in regard to creating a European security…
Sweden to cut use of screens in schools as reading standards suffer
Sweden's education minister Lotta Edholm is taking action as Swedish children’s ability to read apparently deteriorates.
Timmermans resigns from EC, Maroš Šefčovič to replace him
Following his election as head of the Netherland’s combined list of Socialists (PvdA) and Greens (GroenLinks), European Commission Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans…
Domino’s Pizza closing all 142 stores in Russia
US-based multinational Domino's Pizza is closing all its branches in Russia, joining the ranks of other Western businesses fully withdrawing from the country following its…
Ukrainian drone strike ‘destroys Russian supersonic bomber’
Ukraine has apparently destroyed a flagship Russian long-range bomber in a drone attack deep inside the country.
Anti-Quran protests spread to the Netherlands
The leader of the Pegida-movement in the Netherlands has publicly ripped to shreds a copy of the Quran as a form of protest in The Hague, angering local Muslims.
Finland to cut off development aid for countries that support Russia
Finland’s Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio of the Finns Party has announced some noteworthy shifts in his country’s foreign policy.
Serbia to boost supplies of Russian gas to Hungary
If Ukraine follows through on ending a gas transit agreement with Russia, Serbia has promised to provide Hungary with increased supplies of Russian natural gas.