Europe

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…

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…

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’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…

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,…

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…

Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu resigned on May 5, 2025, after his coalition’s candidate, Crin Antonescu, finished third in the first-round presidential vote. Nationalist leader George Simion (38) won decisively with 40.96% of votes, nearly double his runoff opponent, pro-EU…

A recent poll by the Insa Institute for Bild am Sonntag reveals that 48% of Germans favor banning the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party after the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) classified it as a…

Sweden will increase its voluntary return incentive for refugees from €900 to €32,000 starting January 2026, Rudaw reported citing Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. The policy mirrors Denmark’s approach and aims to reduce refugee numbers by encouraging returns to home countries.…

Germany’s domestic intelligence agency, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV), has officially classified the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party as a “proven extremist group,” Anadolu Agency reported. The announcement on May 2 follows a comprehensive…