Water leak at Paris Louvre Museum soaks valuable books on ancient Egypt
A water leak at the Louvre Museum damaged several hundred books held in the library of the Department of Egyptian Antiquities.
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Society
Latest reporting and analysis on society.
Italy’s Left splits over anti-Semitism bill, exposing deep ideological fault lines
A legislative push against anti-Semitism has blown up into a fierce internal fight within the Italian Left.
Poland’s Sikorski tells Musk ‘Go to Mars’ after he calls for end of EU
Poland’s foreign minister Radosław Sikorski told Elon Musk to “Go to Mars” after the US billionaire called for the European Union to be abolished.
EU’s crackdown on X shows desperation not strength
The recent rabid, full-on attack on Elon Musk's X by the European Commission represents a new chapter in Brussels’ attempts to purge the public square of inconvenient…
Is Europe kaput? Washington says this is Europe’s last chance to choose
The Trump administration's 2025 National Security Strategy dropped last week, and if you are in Brussels or Berlin, you might want to pour yourself a stiff drink…
Blasphemy law victim thanks God — and European Parliament — for release
Pakistani blasphemy law victim Shagufta Kausar thanked both God and the European parliament for her release from a Punjabi prison while in Brussels yesterday.
Attempt to censor a right-wing publisher sparks cultural firestorm in Italy
Italy has once again become the epicentre of a culture clash — this time over the attempted exclusion of a right-wing publisher with clear ties to the ruling party,…
Most German welfare recipients ‘not looking for work’, study finds
Most recipients of the German Bürgergeld (citizen’s stipend) are not actively looking for work.
Top brands suspected in Italy sweatshop probe
Gucci, Prada, Versace and Yves Saint Laurent are among 13 luxury brands suspected of using subcontractors who exploited Chinese workers in Italy, according to documents…
Swiss man jailed for Facebook comment criticising trans ideology
A man from Switzerland has been handed a prison sentence for posting a comment on Facebook that supposedly denigrated trans people.
Poland’s Supreme Court rejects EU attempts to regulate judicial system
A joint session of two chambers of the Polish Supreme Court has adopted a resolution that rejects the right of the European Union to regulate Poland’s judicial…
Defiant conservatives gather to ‘battle for soul of Europe’
The Brussels Mathias Corvinus Collegium’s (MCC) two-day Battle for the Soul of Europe conference attendees gathered in Brussels yesterday to challenge what they…
German church spends €100,000 from collections to help Afghans sue for immigration
Germany’s Protestant Church will donate €100,000 to support Afghan citizens who want to sue for the right to immigrate to Germany.
A Baby Jesus without a face, a continent that will not look the divine in the eye
For God’s sake, those maniacs now simply did away with the face of Jesus.
Dutch ‘green transition hurts working class while rich reap subsidies’
In the Netherlands, low-income and vulnerable citizens are disproportionately shouldering the financial and health burdens of climate policies, whilst wealthier…
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…
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.