Europe
Europe’s Oldest Islamic Monument: The Great Mosque of Córdoba
May 10, 2025
Europe’s Oldest Islamic Monument: The Great Mosque of Córdoba
Located in Spain, the Great Mosque of Córdoba (Mezquita-Catedral) is the oldest surviving Islamic architectural monument in the European Union. Constructed in 785 CE during the Umayyad Emirate of Córdoba, it exemplifies Moorish architecture, characterized by horseshoe arches, intricate geometric…
Switzerland Denies Ethnic-Based Deportation Plans for Afghan Pashtuns
May 8, 2025
Switzerland Denies Ethnic-Based Deportation Plans for Afghan Pashtuns
Switzerland has firmly denied reports suggesting it plans to deport Afghan refugees based on Pashtun ethnicity, calling such claims “completely unfounded,” Khaama Press reported. The clarification came from Afghanistan’s Permanent Mission to the U.N. in Geneva after a Swiss newspaper,…
EU Sets 2027 Deadline to End All Russian Fossil Fuel Imports
May 8, 2025
EU Sets 2027 Deadline to End All Russian Fossil Fuel Imports
The European Union will fully phase out Russian fossil fuel imports by 2027, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced Wednesday, Anadolu Agency reported. The move aims to cut funding for Russia’s war in Ukraine and strengthen EU energy…
Strong climate action could save 250,000 lives annually in Europe by 2050, study finds
May 7, 2025
Strong climate action could save 250,000 lives annually in Europe by 2050, study finds
New research from the University of Leeds predicts that up to 250,000 premature deaths could be avoided each year in central and western Europe by 2050 if significant action is taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The study, which models…
EU Tightens Child Online Safety Laws: Strictest Protections in France, Germany, and Sweden
May 7, 2025
EU Tightens Child Online Safety Laws: Strictest Protections in France, Germany, and Sweden
The European Union is escalating its fight against online child exploitation, with new data revealing which member states have implemented—and successfully enforced—the toughest digital safeguards for minors. France, Germany, and Sweden lead the EU in combating online child sexual abuse…
Friedrich Merz Elected German Chancellor After Coalition Deal
May 7, 2025
Friedrich Merz Elected German Chancellor After Coalition Deal
Germany’s parliament elected conservative leader Friedrich Merz as chancellor on Tuesday, following a second-round vote after an initial surprise setback, Anadolu Agency reported. The 69-year-old Christian Democrat (CDU/CSU) secured 325 votes in the 630-seat Bundestag, surpassing the required 316-vote absolute…
One in five EU residents at risk of poverty or social exclusion in 2024
May 6, 2025
One in five EU residents at risk of poverty or social exclusion in 2024
In 2024, approximately 93.3 million people in the European Union—equivalent to 21.0% of the population—were at risk of poverty or social exclusion, according to Eurostat data. This marks a slight improvement from 2023, when 21.3% (94.6 million) faced similar risks.…
Switzerland Faces Backlash Over Plan to Deport Pashtun Asylum Seekers to Afghanistan
May 6, 2025
Switzerland Faces Backlash Over Plan to Deport Pashtun Asylum Seekers to Afghanistan
Switzerland’s proposal to deport Pashtun asylum seekers to Afghanistan has drawn sharp criticism from human rights groups and activists, Khaama Press reported. The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) argues that Pashtuns, sharing ethnic ties with the Taliban, may face lower…
EU and France offer €500 million to attract global scientists
May 6, 2025
EU and France offer €500 million to attract global scientists
France and the European Union have announced a €500 million incentive package aimed at attracting international scientists to Europe between 2025 and 2027. The initiative, unveiled Monday by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and French President Emmanuel Macron,…
Cable Theft Cripples Spain’s High-Speed Rail Network
May 5, 2025
Cable Theft Cripples Spain’s High-Speed Rail Network
Tens of thousands of travelers faced major disruptions after coordinated cable thefts paralyzed Spain’s high-speed rail system on Sunday evening through Monday morning, Anadolu Agency reported. Thieves stole low-value cables at four strategic locations along the Madrid-Seville line—areas deliberately chosen…