European Parliament to debate ‘controversial’ kiss in Women’s World Cup
The European Parliament has added the “controversial” kiss at the FIFA Women's Football World Cup Final on August 20 to its list of items to be debated at Strasbourg's…
Society
Latest reporting and analysis on society.
Gen Z more enthusiastic to work than older generations, study finds
Gen Z, or those born between 1996 and 2010, are more enthusiastic about working than older generations, a survey conducted in Germany has found.
EC insists it is pushing Palestine to accept LGBTQI+ rights
The European Commission has insisted that it is working to get Palestine's Islamist-leaning government to accept LGBTQI+ rights.
Islamic institutions in Belgium oppose sex-education programme in schools
With the new school year back in full swing, all students in the French-speaking community in Belgium will now regularly receive relational, emotional and sex education.
France has the ‘dumbest Left in the world’, Socialist Party official says
A senior member of France's Socialist Party has lambasted his own side of the political spectrum, claiming on September 4 that France has the "dumbest Left in the…
EC President escalates EU ‘war on wolves’
Having until now enjoyed strict protections under EU law, the growth of wolf populations throughout central Europe has resulted in increased attacks on livestock…
Riots erupt in Sweden’s third-largest city after another Quran burning
Rioting has erupted in the Swedish city of Malmö after Iraqi migrant Salwan Momika once again publicly torched a copy of the Quran.
‘We are not leaving Europe’, confirms Soros heir
In an opinion piece for US-based news outlet Politico, American philanthropist Alex Soros, who recently took over leadership of the Open Society Foundations (OSF)…
Ireland says free speech must be balanced with right ‘not to be misinformed’
Citizens’ rights to free speech must be balanced with their alleged right "not to be misinformed", a senior member of the Irish judiciary has said.
French pupils wearing Islamic dress will be barred from class ‘from September 4’
Children who arrive at schools in France wearing Islamic clothing will be barred from classes "from Monday" September 4, Gabriel Attal, France's education minister…
Controversial book by Italian General now a bestseller
Controversy is the best publicity, or so it appears, as a highly divisive book by an outspoken Italian General is topping an Amazon bestseller ranking.
Polish journalist ‘denied life-saving medication’ in Belarusian jail
Andrzej Poczobut, a journalist for Polish daily Gazeta Wyborcza and a Polish minority activist, is being denied life-saving heart medication in a Belarusian prison,…
Outrage as Uganda charges first person with ‘aggravated homosexuality’
International observers have condemned Uganda for charging a man with “aggravated homosexuality”.
French hard-left to fight government ban on Islamic dress in schools
Members of France's left-wing opposition will fight the government's ban on Islamic dress in schools.
Pope causes outrage with remarks to Russian youths
Pope Francis has caused outrage in Europe and the US after telling Russian youths on August 28 to remember that they are the heirs of "the great Russian Empire".
Vegan food is just the wurst say German car factory workers
Worker backlash in Germany has reportedly seen major car manufacturer Volkswagen pull back on its wurst vegan policies.
Belgian media rocked by child pornography investigation
Sven Pichal (44), one of the most prominent voices on Dutch-speaking radio in Belgium, has been arrested for allegedly owning and distributing images of child abuse.
France to extend ban on Islamic dress in schools
France is to ban two kinds of Islamic dress in schools after French education minister Gabriel Attal announced that students will now be barred from wearing abayas…
Irish PM berates ‘showboating’ Elon Musk as online censorship row intensifies
Ireland's Prime Minister has accused US billionaire and owner of Twitter, now X, Elon Musk of "showboating" with his threats to challenge the country's coming anti-hate-speech…
‘Eco-friendly’ straws found to contain ‘forever chemicals’
A new study shows that paper and bamboo drinking-straws contain PFAS - per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances that are often referred to as “forever chemicals”…
Spanish Football Federation chief will not quit and calls out ‘false feminists’
Despite pressure from industry peers and the Spanish Government, Luis Rubiales will stay on as president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).
Teach children self-defence to combat rising violence, party says
Belgium has been rocked by some shocking videos of gangs teaming up and beating up lone, young victims.
German judge handed suspended jail sentence over school mask-mandate opposition
A judge in Germany has been handed a suspended two-year jail sentence as a result of his opposition to school COVID-mask mandates in the country.
X to launch legal challenge against Irish anti-hate-speech laws, Musk says
X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, will launch a legal challenge against forthcoming anti-hate-speech laws in Ireland, its US billionaire owner…
Leaked French state documents report surge of ‘secularism violations’ in schools
French schools are struggling with an explosion of what are termed secularism violations, spurring controversy over the wearing of Islamic religious symbols and…
Controversial French rapper Médine no longer welcome at Belgian festival
While the controversial rapper Médine is set to appear at a meeting of the French Greens party, a Belgian festival has cancelled his show over the weekend of August…
Facebook and Instagram announce changes over EU censorship legislation
Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram, has announced changes to its social media platforms in response to new European Union censorship laws coming into force.
Rapper’s invitation to French Greens’ convention fuels storm over anti-Semitism
Controversial rapper Médine's invitation to the upcoming French Greens party's summer convention has ignited fierce debate within the nation's left-wing circles.
Meta’s fact-checkers caught interfering in Australian referendum
Facebook’s parent company Meta blocked and deplatformed a number of people in Australia by using false fact-checks - in violation of its own code of principles.
Norway promotes penguin to rank of Major General
The Norwegian military has promoted a king penguin residing in a UK zoo to the rank of Major General in its military.