Hungarian bookstore fined for selling LGBTQI+ novel in youth section
A national bookseller in Hungary was hit with a hefty fine by the government over an LGBTQI+ graphic novel, with authorities saying it violated a law that prohibits…
Society
Latest reporting and analysis on society.
European journalists fear EU Council may ‘undermine media protection’
Europe’s largest organisation representing journalists fears a European Union directive on media protection could be undermined by the Council of Ministers.
Belgian Ferrero chocolate factory suffers second salmonella outbreak
Luxury Italian chocolate manufacturer Ferrero has stopped making its products at its Belgian facility in Arlon after salmonella bacteria was discovered there at…
Ignore the ECJ, says Polish justice minister
Poland’s justice minister and Prosecutor General Zbigniew Ziobro has slammed a European Court of Justice (ECJ) judgment over the suspension of a Polish judge for…
Russian Parliament bans sex-change ops and adoption by transgenders
The Duma, as the Russian Parliament is called, on July 14 adopted a bill that makes it illegal for doctors to perform sex-change operations, among other gender-related…
Saxony expands ‘gender-language’ ban in schools
The German region of Saxony is taking steps against so-called “gender language”, with Culture Minister Christian Piwarz strengthening a ban on its use.
Irish pupils to get lessons on ‘LGBTQ+ identities’ and ‘white privilege’
Ireland's new sex education course for secondary school pupils will focus on "LGBTQ+ identities", while also proposing that "white", "male" and "Irish" people are…
EU proclaims ‘values’ but neglects ‘freedom of religion, speech and assembly’: ADF International’s Paul Coleman
Paul Coleman serves as executive director of ADF International (Alliance Defending Freedom) from its headquarters in Vienna, Austria.
UN targets Sweden over Quran burnings
The United Nations Human Rights Council has approved a Pakistan-led resolution “against religious hatred” targeting Sweden.
Beware of ‘fake hitman’, French Government warns public
The French Government has warned the public to be aware of a financial scam involving a “fake hitman”.
EU medication rules discriminate against vegans, MEP claims
European Union labelling rules for medicines discriminate against vegans and vegetarians, a Czech Pirate Party MEP has claimed.
Michel faces backlash after EU membership promise to Turkey
Charles Michel, President of the European Council, is facing a backlash after promising to help Turkey's European Union membership bid.
EU will have power to cut off social media during public unrest: Breton
European officials will have the ability to completely cut off European Union citizens from certain social media platforms during times of unrest, Internal Markets…
Brussels’ eco-friendly pool shut over poor hygiene
An experimental outdoor swimming pool in Brussels is to remain shut as its eco-friendly filtration system is unable to keep the water clean.
Education minister slams French students’ ‘inability to spell’
French education minister Pap Ndiaye wants to address what he sees as an alarming decline in students’ ability to write correctly.
Transgender winner of Miss Netherlands: ‘It’s important to be yourself’
For the first time, a transgender contestant has been crowned Miss Netherlands and will represent her country in the upcoming Miss Universe competition.
Many think it, but few dare say it yet: The riots are handing power to Marine Le Pen
Mohammed*, my 40-year-old Moroccan greengrocer, whose small busy shop in a quiet street in central Paris serves as an informal club for the entire neighbourhood,…
Running with the Bulls
The northern Spanish city of Pamplona on Thursday marked the start of its iconic nine-day Running of the Bulls festival with the ceremonial launching of a firework…
Big spender Brussels ‘on its way to 300 per cent debt’
The Brussels-Capital Region risks being mired in enormous debt, according to a study by the University of Namur.
Ireland mulls pushing EU nations to recognise Palestine
Ireland's Government is considering a push to get European Union Member States to recognise Palestine and may even “go solo” over the issue.
Local Leaders back increased Ukraine Budget, but concerned over cohesion
Local and regional leaders have expressed their support for the proposal to increase the European Union's budget to aid Ukraine's recovery from the war.
Senior Spanish politician uses brothel for party campaign launch
A senior politician on the Spanish Right has raised eyebrows by launching her new party's election campaign from a brothel.
Farage on UK bank row: ‘Just change the law!’
Moves by the UK Government to re-examine the European Union law that has led to the sudden closure of bank accounts held by some high-profile Britons have been shrugged…
Greta Thunberg to appear in court over oil terminal protest
World-renowned Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg is to appear in court after being charged with a criminal offence, according to media reports on July 5.
French policeman claims he shot teen to save colleague
The French police officer accused of shooting teenager Nahel M, 17, sparking violent riots in many parts of France, has reportedly claimed he did so to save his…
Sweden: rise in requests to burn holy texts
After contentious protests in Sweden, where copies of the Islamic religious text the Quran were set on fire, three new applications have apparently been lodged with…
Why is France so bad at assimilating migrants?
France's riots have sparked debate about the integration of communities from North and Sub-Saharan Africa into French society.
German food banks plead for state support amid ‘frightening’ demand spike
German food banks claim they are in the midst of a crisis amid a "frightening" spike in demand, with some officials now calling for the German Government to step…
Ireland to delay talks on proposed hate-speech law
The Irish Government will postpone discussions over the country’s proposed legislation on hate speech.
The age of American power has barely begun – that’s what the history of Rome suggests
Comparisons of the United States with Rome often make the implicit mistake of assuming that America’s founding – 247 years ago this week – aligns with that…