Does Twitter under Musk really believe in free speech?
Twitter has sparked a furore by restricting the launch of the controversial transgender documentary What is a Woman?
Society
Latest reporting and analysis on society.
Riots erupt as German court convicts left-wing extremists of ‘commando-style attacks’
Four far-left extremists, including a female German student, have received jail sentences for a string of attacks on people they saw as belonging to Germany’s…
British airforce recruiters instructed staff to stop hiring ‘useless white male pilots’
Scores of young men are to receive thousands of pounds in compensation after the head of the British Royal Air Force told colleagues to stop hiring “useless white…
How about porn? Brussels job-seekers asked if they’re willing to bare all
Unemployed actors have been asked if they'd bare more than their souls on camera after Brussels-based employment agency, Actiris, suggested those looking for work…
Brussels threatens Twitter ban
Europe’s political big guns have Twitter in their sights, threatening to torpedo the social media giant if it refuses to follow European rules.
Hungary on EU Presidency controversy: ‘we’ve been attacked for our pro-peace stance’
Germany is the latest to voice concerns over Hungary taking up the rotating European Union presidency in the second half of 2024, questioning the country’s ability…
Belgian government secures release of aid worker in Iran ‘in exchange for convicted terrorist’
Belgian humanitarian aid worker Olivier Vandecasteele is returning to his home country after an “excruciating” jail spell in Iran where he was subjected to “inhumane…
German climate activists ‘should be labelled criminal organisation’
The well-known climate activists Letzte Generation should be regarded as a criminal group of “mafia-like clans” that threaten democracy and “merely wants to…
‘Funny cartoons’ screening lands Belgian pub owner with six-month prison sentence
Two people have been jailed in Belgium for screening what they described as “funny cartoons that you can find everywhere on the internet”, adding the images…
German depiction of Poles as Catholic homophobes triggers ire of ambassador
Poland’s ambassador to Germany has lodged an official protest about content on a German government website portraying Polish Catholics as homophobes.
Germany arrests three suspects linked to far-right terror plot
German police have detained three further suspects linked to an alleged far-right plot to topple the government in an armed coup, the federal prosecutor said on…
Social media reports of ‘police chase’ trigger riots in Wales
Riots against police broke out in Cardiff, Wales, on Monday night after a fatal road accident involving two teenagers.
Belarus pardons activist famously arrested on Ryanair flight
Roman Protasevich, a dissident journalist, has been pardoned by the Belarusian authorities, reports the state-run Belta News.
German depiction of Poles as Catholic homophobes triggers ire of ambassador
Poland’s ambassador to Germany has lodged an official protest about content on a German government website portraying Polish Catholics as homophobes.
Euro MPs clash with Polish education minister during investigation of ‘academic freedom’
Euro MPs on a visit to Warsaw accused Poland’s education minister Przemysław Czarnek of behaving in a “brutal and aggressive” manner towards them, according…
EU slaps Meta with record €1.2 bn fine over privacy violations
The European privacy regulator has handed a record-breaking €1.2 billion fine to Meta, formerly Facebook.
Pro-Russian protesters vandalise EU offices in Sofia
Protesters in Bulgaria threw red paint at the building of the representation of the European Commission in Sofia during a “March for Peace and Neutrality” on…
Ukraine plan to give rights to LGBTQ partners of war casualties
Ukraine’s parliament and government have brought forward proposals to ensure the rights of same-sex partners of those injured or deceased in service.
Half of Poles agree with PM on reintroduction of death penalty, survey suggests
Almost half of Poles agree with their prime minister’s declaration that the death penalty can be justified for the most serious crimes, according to a survey.
Gay Christ exhibition in EU Parliament causes uproar
Not art but “vulgarity and disrespect,” was the reaction from Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini to a European Parliament art exhibition.
Elon Musk backlash over Twitter content block in Turkey
Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur who declared himself a staunch advocate of free speech, has found himself facing a barrage of criticism for censoring his…
Italians ‘prepared to strike’ over soaring cost of pasta
Profiteering pasta producers and war in Ukraine blamed for price spikes impacting Italian appetites
University of Lyon gets into hot water with ‘inclusive’ law exam
France’s University of Lyon is facing criticism for incorporating “invented” and “inclusive” language into a law exam, thereby rendering it “unreadable”.
Female MEPs angry about ‘hate speech’ in Parliament debate on women’s rights
Three Euro MPs have been accused of using hate speech by female colleagues.
European flag and portrait of Macron to become mandatory across France
Town halls across France will be obliged to display both the French and the European flag under newly approved legislation.
Italy’s birth crisis is shrinking school classes, minister says
Angelo Amante
Irish Government urges schoolteachers, hospital staff to enforce gender policy
Ireland’s national government has encouraged officials to enforce gender-neutral policy in hospitals and schools, according to media.
EU de-platforms ‘far-right’ Israeli minister by cancelling event
EU diplomats have de-platformed an Israeli minister by cancelling the event he was due to attend, according to reports.
Greek legacy media ‘fighting for survival’
Financial stress, declining readerships, shrinking advertising and the the pandemic have left Greece’s legacy media on the brink, according to Reporters Without…
China, Russia and Iran lecture France on human rights
There were surreal scenes at the 52nd session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC).