More young French people reject heterosexuality and gender ‘norms’
A growing number of young French adults are turning away from heterosexuality and traditional gender roles, according to a new report from the French Institute for…
Society
Latest reporting and analysis on society.
UK trans former judge to challenge British gender ruling at European court
Britain’s first transgender judge, Victoria McCloud, said she planned to sue the British government at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) following a UK…
New reports highlight surge in workplace depression in Europe
Workplace stress and depression in the European Union have surged, costing billions of euro annually and leading to thousands of deaths each year, new data has disclosed.
The next pope must be a warrior for Christ, not a surrendered soul
As the Catholic Church stands at a crossroads, its throne vacant and its flock besieged, the next pope will not merely shepherd 1.4 billion souls.
French Socialist MP suffers ‘anti-semitic’ insults at rally against Islamophobia
French Socialist MP Jérôme Guedj has been subjected to what appeared to be anti-semitic insults during a rally against Islamophobia.
ECHR orders Poland to recognise same-sex partnerships
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has ruled that Poland must provide legal recognition and protection for same-sex unions to meet the country's obligation…
Civilisation needs revival, not a pope who wants Thunberg and a keffiyeh on Jesus
There have been many thoughtful comments about the recently deceased Pope Francis in the pages of Brussels Signal, all of them by people who are better versed in…
French minister refutes court ruling, says Muslim school a ‘bastion of Islamist influence’
French interior minister Bruno Retailleau has challenged the decision to reinstate public funding for the private Averroès Muslim secondary school in Lille following…
Brussels officially declares itself an ‘anti-fascist city’
Brussels municipal council has unanimously approved a motion declaring the Belgian capital an “anti-fascist city".
Thousands sign petition for women-only compartments on Berlin metro
A petition for compartments for women only on Berlin’s public transport network has received more than 15,000 signatures in just nine days.
‘Church should stay out of politics, focus on life and death’ : German parliament president
Germany's Bundestag President and Christian Democratic Union (CDU) MP Julia Klöckner has criticised the churches' involvement in politics, sparking debate across…
Dutch authorities arrest 14 for alleged incitement to terrorism via TikTok
Dutch authorities have carried out a series of co-ordinated raids across the Netherlands resulting in the arrest of 14 individuals suspected of alleged incitement…
Hoteliers set to launch legal claim over ‘billions in losses due to booking.com’
Travel website booking.
Swedish Government wants to criminalise virginity checks
The Swedish Government has said it planned to criminalise virginity checks, virginity certificates and virginity interventions.
Faithful mourn the passing of Pope Francis
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, has passed away at the age of 88, in his residence at the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta.
Call for French university chief to go after professor targeted by ‘anti-racist students’
Academics have called for the resignation of the president of France's University of Lyon 2, Isabelle von Bueltzingsloewen, over her treatment of a professor targeted…
US scientists headed for France to keep studying ‘gender and history’
US academics are crossing the Atlantic to continue their progressive gender studies, statistics suggest.
Berlin aims for city-wide knife ban after spate of stabbings
The German capital Berlin has extended knife bans after a series of shocking stabbings in public places.
Polish President blocks Tusk government’s hate speech legislation bill
Polish President Andrzej Duda has refused to sign into law a government bill on hate speech from the centre-left coalition government led by Prime Minister Donald…
German ministry postpones arts award for student on trial for alleged attempted murder
Germany’s education ministry has announced it was suspending the award ceremony for the Federal Prize for Arts Students winner Hanna Schiller, currently in jail…
Belgian State media ‘fears humanising critically ill Vlaams Belang politician’
State media outlets in Belgium have expressed concern that reporting on the serious health condition of a Vlaams Belang politician may contribute to the “humanisation…
The Feast of Feasts: Why Easter remains Europe’s beating heart
Europe, that ancient cradle of civilisation, has long been a Christian continent.
Belgian judges protest by sending 4,000 criminals to jail
Angered by government plans to cut their pensions, Belgian magistrates will send 4,000 people who received short jail sentences to prison.
Cheap Chinese imports spur record EU product safety violations
The European Union recorded an unprecedented number of alerts about dangerous consumer products in 2023, nearly doubling the 2022 figure.
Polish MEP attempts ‘citizens arrest’ over abortion at week 36 of pregnancy
Polish right-wing MEP Grzegorz Braun attempted a citizen's arrest when he entered a hospital in Poland aiming to detain a gynaecologist he alleged had murdered a…
EC mulls legal action against Hungary over LGBT Pride events ban
The European Commission has said it was considering taking legal action against Hungary over the European Union member state's decision to ban LGBT pride events.
Pro-Palestinian protesters occupy and damage Berlin university building
Around 300 police officers have stormed a Berlin university building after pro-Palestinian protesters occupied it and damaged the interior while others demonstrated…
Google’s policy ‘gags’ news outlets, says European press group
European press publishers have accused Google of systematically reducing traffic to media websites and called on the European Commission to take urgent action.
UK’s Supreme Court rules: ‘Woman refers to biological sex under equality laws’
The UK's top court has upheld an appeal by a campaign group on whether transgender women were legally women under equality legislation, ruling that the law referred…
Dutch advised not to eat eggs from ‘backyard chickens’
Dutch people have been advised to stop eating eggs from "backyard chickens" and opt for buying them from a shop or market instead.