Europe
France moves closer to legalising assisted dying after parliamentary vote
May 28, 2025
France moves closer to legalising assisted dying after parliamentary vote
French lawmakers in the lower house approved a bill on Tuesday to legalise assisted dying, a step toward allowing terminally ill individuals to end their lives. According to Reuters, the National Assembly passed the bill with 305 votes in favor…
Spain faces scorching end to May with temperatures near 40C
May 27, 2025
Spain faces scorching end to May with temperatures near 40C
Spain is experiencing an intense heatwave as May ends, with temperatures forecast to reach 40°C in parts of the south, around 10°C above seasonal norms, The Guardian reported. According to Rubén del Campo from Spain’s meteorological agency, Aemet, the unusual…
DNA Study Confirms Lasting Impact of Spain’s 1600s Muslim Expulsion
May 26, 2025
DNA Study Confirms Lasting Impact of Spain’s 1600s Muslim Expulsion
A genetic study reveals Spain’s 1609–1614 expulsion of 300,000 Moriscos (converted Muslims) drastically reduced North African ancestry in Iberia, Informed Consent reported. Researchers analyzed DNA from four historical periods, finding significant Berber and Arab genetic ties before and during Muslim…
Spain’s hijab restrictions spark outcry over religious freedom
May 25, 2025
Spain’s hijab restrictions spark outcry over religious freedom
Catalonia’s ruling Junts party has sparked controversy by supporting a ban on Islamic headscarves in schools, alongside prohibitions on burqas in public spaces. The move, announced last Tuesday, cites “gender equality” and “public security” justifications but faces accusations of Islamophobia.…
Denmark Approves Controversial Retirement Age Hike to 70 by 2040
May 24, 2025
Denmark Approves Controversial Retirement Age Hike to 70 by 2040
Denmark’s parliament passed a bill Thursday to gradually raise the retirement age to 70 by 2040—the highest in Europe—with 81 votes in favor and 21 against, Anadolu Agency reported. The law applies to those born after January 1, 1971, following…
Nine EU Nations Push for Reassessment of Human Rights Convention Interpretation
May 24, 2025
Nine EU Nations Push for Reassessment of Human Rights Convention Interpretation
A coalition of nine EU countries—Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland—has called for a renewed dialogue on how the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) is applied, particularly regarding migration policies, Anadolu Agency reported.…
Sweden Lowers Terror Threat Level After Quran Burning Tensions Subside
May 24, 2025
Sweden Lowers Terror Threat Level After Quran Burning Tensions Subside
Sweden’s Security Service (SAPO) has downgraded the national terrorist threat level from “high” to “elevated,” returning to pre-2023 levels following tensions over Quran burnings, Al Arabiya reported. The decision announced Friday reflects decreased targeting of Sweden specifically in militant propaganda,…
Spanish parliament urges arms embargo on Israel over Gaza conflict
May 22, 2025
Spanish parliament urges arms embargo on Israel over Gaza conflict
Spain’s parliament passed a non-binding motion on Tuesday urging the government to impose an arms embargo on Israel in response to its military actions in Gaza, Anadolu Agency reported. The motion, introduced by the leftist Sumar alliance and backed by…
Germany sees surge in far-right violence, rights group warns
May 22, 2025
Germany sees surge in far-right violence, rights group warns
A German human rights group has raised concern over a sharp rise in far-right violence across the country in 2024, with more than 3,450 attacks recorded—a 20% increase from the previous year, Anadolu Agency reported. Speaking at a press briefing…
Sweden to require social services to offer voluntary return guidance to migrants from July
May 22, 2025
Sweden to require social services to offer voluntary return guidance to migrants from July
The Swedish government has announced a proposed amendment to the Social Services Act that would require local social services offices, known as “Socialen” or “sosialen,” to begin offering information on voluntary return programs to migrants starting July 1, 2025. The…