Protests against Israeli government’s proposed judicial reform block Tel Aviv’s main airport
Tens of thousands of demonstrators have once again taken to the streets throughout Israel to protest against the judicial reform proposed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. Protesters blocked one of the roads leading to one of Tel Aviv’s main airports, causing Netanyahu, who had plans to leave on an official visit to Rome, to […]
Four bodies found in family home after Switzerland explosion
Four bodies were found in a Swiss family villa which was ravaged by a fire, following an explosion on Thursday in Yverdon-les-Bains, in the west of the country. Local police say that several people were in the house at the time of the blast, including the four victims. The building has been completely destroyed by […]
EU concern over UK proposal to crack down on migrant boat arrivals
European interior ministers meeting in Brussels on Thursday have urged the UK to ensure the government’s new proposal to clamp down on illegal immigration complies with international law. The policy proposed by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak would ban migrants who enter Britain illegally from ever claiming asylum in the country. The law is aimed explicitly at migrants […]
Women in technology have nothing to fear — except their own hesitance
As we celebrate International Women’s Day, it is important to recognise just how much progress has been made for the advancement of women in science and tech. While there are still many challenges faced by women in these sectors, be it in Europe, in the Middle East — where I am based — or globally, […]
Latvia confiscated hundreds of cars from drunk drivers: The first are now on their way to Ukraine
The first of hundreds of cars confiscated by Latvian authorities from drunk drivers have started their journey to Ukraine, where Riga hopes they’ll help Kyiv with its war efforts. The former owners were all caught with blood alcohol levels above 0.15%. According to an announcement from Latvia’s State Revenue Service, the first eight cars “which […]
Spain’s powerful feminist movement split over trans and rape laws
Just half an hour separated the start of two big feminist rallies which took place in Madrid this week. On one side, the 8M Commission. On the other, the Madrid Feminist Movement. This was the second consecutive year that the protests for International Women’s Day had split, but this time round the divisions were deeper. […]
Slap fighting: Is it the next big sport or just stupid?
The competitors stand rigidly upright with their hands behind their backs, waiting to absorb a brutal slap to the face. When the open-handed blow is delivered, there’s a sharp sound and the reaction can be dramatic. Some fighters barely move, while others stumble backward or fall to the floor. Some are knocked out. It’s a […]
French President Macron to propose draft law enshrining abortion rights in the constitution
French President Emmanuel Macron said Wednesday his government would put forward a draft law protecting abortion rights in the French constitution within months. France’s National Assembly had in November 2022 already voted in favour of the constitutional change, but without deciding on a timeline. The speech was made on International Woman’s Day, where Macron paid […]
French Senate backs controversial plans to raise the retirement age to 64
France’s Senate voted Thursday to raise the retirement age by two years to 64, as the government moves to overhaul the country’s pensions system in the face of strong opposition from labour unions and nationwide strikes. The conservative-dominated legislative body voted in favour of a decisive article to increase the retirement age by 201 votes […]
Thousands march for International Women’s Day in Spain as lawmakers debate sexual consent law
Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets across Spain on Wednesday for International Women’s day. In Barcelona, several thousand female students marched through the city centre, many wearing purple and waving banners reading: “Feminism means fighting” and “We’re brave and we want to be free”. And in Madrid, demonstrators prepared for the main […]