Pornhub pulls out of France in protest at new age verification law
Aylo, the owner of major adult sites Pornhub, RedTube and YouPorn, said it would suspend access to its French platforms in protest at France’s strict new age verification…
Society
Latest reporting and analysis on society.
‘Social media incompatible with democracy,’ warns French digital council
Co-President of the French National Digital Council, Gilles Babinet, has warned that social media "in their current forms are not compatible with democracy".
National values are love for a people, a territory and its history
In his first inaugural address in 1861, President Lincoln spoke about the "mystic chords of memory" that connect the American people through a collective memory…
German intelligence agents run hundreds of ‘dubious’ fake accounts on social media
The government of the German state of Brandenburg has admitted that its local intelligence bureau runs 287 fake accounts on social media.
French mayor bans Palestine flag as ‘riot symbol’ after violent football celebration
A ban on the Palestinian flag in the French town of Chalon-sur-Saône has been instigated by the local mayor.
‘Freedom under attack in the US,’ claims German minister
There was a growing risk of a global culture war amid rising anti-freedom tendencies among world powers, warned Wolfram Weimer, Germany's Minister of State for Culture,…
What would Camus say? France to ban smoking in public spaces
There are few photographs of Jean-Paul Sartre and Albert Camus where those French heroes do not brandish a cigarette.
EU ‘Patriots’ rally around Orbán in Budapest
Trumpism appears to have crossed the Atlantic and raised spirits in Europe's nationalist camp, to judge by speakers at the opening day of the CPAC conference in…
Germany’s Conservative-led government extends rent controls until end of 2029
Germany has prolonged contentious rent control regulations until at least December 31, 2029.
France approves assisted dying bill that seeks to avoid ‘suicide tourism’
France's National Assembly has taken a big step toward legalising assisted dying, passing a bill on its first reading that would allow patients to seek medical help…
NGOs file complaint against Chinese fast-fashion giant Shein’s ‘irregular’ lobbying
Two Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) have filed a complaint against Chinese-owned fast-fashion group Shein's lobbying practices with the French High Authority…
Meta shuts out identitarians and nationalists across Europe
Meta, the owner of Facebook, Instagram and Whatsapp, has closed down pages from identitarians and nationalists across Europe.
Chinese fast-fashion giant Shein may have to pay EU under three different regulations
Shein, the Chinese global e-commerce platform specialising in fast fashion, could soon find itself paying more than just shipping costs to the European Union.
Collapse in number of new builds in Germany fuels fears of worsening housing shortage
New apartment construction in Germany has collapsed since 2024, new data show. Higher interest rates and higher construction costs were behind the collapse.
How calling a German finance minister a ‘moron’ leads to cops and criminal charges
Stefan Niehoff, a 64-year-old retiree and former sergeant in the Bundeswehr, became something of an overnight sensation in Germany last year after police showed…
“I am disappointed they excluded Russia but let Israel in”, says Austrian Eurovision winner
Austria's Eurovision winner Johannes “JJ” Pietsch has come under fire for critical remarks about Israel and equating its war in Gaza with Russia's invasion of…
EU consumer group accuses Ryanair and others of ‘illegal’ extra fees for carry-ons
The European Consumer Organisation accused Ryanair and other airlines of engaging in unfair and illegal practices by charging extra fees for hand luggage.
MEPs and experts call for Commission to tackle DSA’s free speech concerns
Cross-party members of the European Parliament and free speech advocates gathered in the European Parliament May 21 to urge the European Commission to review the…
EU spends more on policing speech than transnational cancer research
The EU has given €650 million to projects combating so-called 'hate speech' and 'disinformation', one third more than it has given to transnational cancer research…
Polish state TV bans photos of its buildings
Poland’s government-controlled broadcaster TVP (Telewizja Polska) has placed new notices warning photographers they may not photograph the corporation’s headquarters…
Statue of Venus removed from Berlin government office after ‘sexism’ complaint by Equal Opportunities Commissioner
An historic sculpture of the Venus de' Medici has been removed from a Berlin government building at the request of equal opportunities officers who argued its presence…
Belgium and Spain suspect manipulation in Eurosong vote, demand action
The Spanish and Belgian public broadcasters questioned the points awarded to Israel’s Eurovision entry and have announced there were possible irregularities.
Road safety before religion: German court forbids woman to drive car wearing a Niqab
A German court has ruled that it is illegal to drive while wearing a niqab–a Muslim headgear covering most of the wearer’s face.
Eurovision contestants spurn English for festival of mother tongues
The May 17 Eurovision final in Basel, Switzerland will see an extraordinary chorus of mother tongues, with 19 of 26 finalists–73 per cent–ditching English to…
Hate speech or free speech? How rapper Ye’s ‘Heil Hitler’ exposes Big Tech dilemma
Controversial rap artist Ye’s latest track, Heil Hitler, was promptly banned from Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube upon its May 8 release but in just 24 hours…
Soros’ Open Society Foundation pumped more than $700 million into Europe
New research into the extent of billionaire George Soros's funding activity has revealed the Hungarian-American pumped more than $700 million (€625 million) into…
Poland PM Tusk’s ‘undemocratic actions’ under US Republican spotlight
Four US Republican Congressmen have written to the European Commission demanding a response to the actions of Poland's centre-left government under Prime Minister…
Meta takes on European digital rights watchdog over user data for AI training
Tech giant Meta has snubbed a 'cease and desist' request from the European digital rights watchdog over their use of personal data to train AI systems, countering…
German intelligence probe into AfD ends in farce with ‘top secret’ report leak
A controversial top-secret German intelligence report on the right-wing Alternative for Germany party (AfD) that could lead to a total ban on the insurgent political…
‘Ordinary spanking’ row lights up Poland’s marathon presidential election debate
A row over spanking children was the highlight of Poland's marathon televised presidential election debate on May 13 that saw one candidate heatedly accuse another…