German church replaces 100-year-old nativity scene over racism accusations
The protestant parish council in Ulm has retired a traditional nativity scene which has adorned Ulm Minster – Germany’s tallest church – for decades after…
Society
Latest reporting and analysis on society.
Poland bans fur farming
Poland has become the 17th European Union member state to ban fur farming .
German teachers sound alarm: ‘Pupils do not know how to listen, hold pens, or use bathroom’
Ever more elementary school pupils in Germany cannot perform the most basic tasks such as holding a pen correctly or even using the lavatory by themselves, according…
In Italy, UN envoy Albanese accused of justifying violence against journalists
In Italy, Francesca Albanese, the UN envoy responsible for the occupied Palestinian territories, is at the centre of a political firestorm.
Macron proposes ‘labelling’ for ‘reliable’ news outlets
French President Emmanuel Macron has floated the idea of creating an official media “label”, claiming it would identify "trustworthy" journalism and help fight…
German journalist claims ‘massive restriction of press freedom’ by hard-left at anti-AfD protests
Paul Ronzheimer, deputy editor-in-chief of Germany’s most-read newspaper Bild, has claimed a “massive restriction of press freedom” after left-wing protesters…
Head of baby Jesus stolen from controversial Brussels nativity scene
The head of an infant Jesus figurine has been stolen from a newly installed Nativity scene in Brussels' historic Grand Place.
Pro-Palestinian Activists Raid La Stampa: Press Freedom Debate Erupts in Italy
A fierce debate over press freedom has erupted in Italy after the newsroom of La Stampa was raided, occupied, and vandalised by left-wing, pro-Palestinian activists.
Chinese online giant Shein boycotts EP hearing on sale of illegal products
Chinese online fast-fashion retailer Shein has refused to attend a European Parliament hearing on the sale of illegal and unsafe products.
Monaco’s Prince Albert bars legalisation of abortion in principality
Prince Albert II of Monaco has declined to sign a law legalising abortion in the tiny principality, thus preventing the practice from acquiring legal validity.
French ecologist website calls for movement to become ‘less white’
Reporterre, an independent French online media outlet dedicated to ecology and environmental journalism, has published an in-depth exploration of the enduring “whiteness”…
What? I start with freedom for a Danish MP and end up with Chinese sex dolls
Freedom is never free. It is not free of cost, or of supervision, or of limits.
Louvre jacks up ticket prices for non-EU visitors by 45 per cent
The world-famous Louvre museum in Paris will significantly increase ticket prices for tourists from most countries outside the EU starting in 2026.
Another national rift over Islam: France weighs ban on Ramadan fasting for minors
A proposal by French right-wing senators to prohibit Ramadan fasting for minors under 16 reignited the debate in the country over religious freedom.
Polish journalist charged over reporting Warsaw demonstration
A Polish journalist was charged with disturbing the peace at a Warsaw demonstration he was covering as a reporter, asking questions of participants at the gathering.
French Greens candidate accuses local party of ‘homophobia’, withdraws from election
Sabrina Decanton, the Greens party (EELV) candidate for the 2026 municipal elections in Saint-Ouen, France, has sensationally pulled out of the race.
German firms leave business association after it ends AfD ‘contact ban’
The decision of a major business association to drop its “no contact” policy with right-wing opposition party Alternative for Germany (AfD) is making waves in…
Imam’s deportation highlights Italian crackdown on Gaza protests
The deportation of an Imam from Turin, Italy has spurred demonstrations from pro-Palestinian activists, left-wing movements and immigrant communities amid a growing…
Polish President slams ECJ ruling on same-sex marriage but government ‘will obey’
Polish President Karol Nawrocki slammed the European Court of Justice (ECJ) decision to require member states to recognise same sex marriages made in other countries…
Ireland clamps down on immigration
Ireland plans to curb its high population growth with sweeping new migration and asylum rules, the country's justice minister said.
Thousands of German police to protect AfD congress against left-wingers
The city of Giessen in the German State of Hesse is on high alert as it prepares to host the founding congress of a new youth wing for the right-wing Alternative…
Polish court convicts protester for ‘insulting’ PM Tusk’s office
A man has been convicted in a Polish court of insulting the office of Prime Minister, held by Donald Tusk.
EU court ruling on same-sex marriages could pit Brussels against conservative member states
Polish gay couples seeking recognition for their same-sex marriages have rejoiced after yesterday's EU court ruling, which states that member states must recognise…
The disgraceful spectacle of the rise of ancient anti-Semitism
The sudden upsurge of anti-Semitism in the Western world has been a shocking and disgusting development.
Four more arrested over €88m Louvre jewellery heist
French authorities arrested four more people in the probe into October's spectacular daylight theft of imperial jewels from the Louvre museum, the top Paris prosecutor…
‘Disaster for immigration authorities’: Court ruling set to hamper deportation efforts
A ruling of the Federal Constitutional Court’s may seriously hamper the efforts of the government of Chancellor Friedrich Merz to bring down the number of illegal…
Musk’s X causes waves worldwide with new location feature
US billionaire Elon Musk's X erupted in uproar after the rollout of a feature revealing an account's location.
What Britain and Ireland do is mimic the US to delude themselves they are modern
“Black Friday Sale!” yodelled the advertisement, with equal measures of mercantilist ecstasy and calendral imprecision. “From November 20-November 30!
Saudi residents report booze ban eased for select foreigners
Diplomats and premium visa-holders in Saudi Arabia told AFP that the conservative kingdom has quietly eased restrictions on purchasing alcohol for select foreign…
Danish EU Presidency and EC push for novel tobacco product bans, defying member states
Leaked negotiating documents from the Council of the European Union's Danish Presidency have exposed a controversial bid by the Danish Government and the European…