CES “News from Europe” collects interesting and timely news articles from around Europe. You can get an overview from the recaps or click the link to see the full article. Be sure to check back weekly for the next installment.
Week of March 24, 2025
- Netherlands Sees Surge in Euthanasia Cases
In 2024, the Netherlands recorded 9,958 euthanasia deaths, marking a 10% increase from 9,068 in 2023. The majority involved patients with advanced physical illnesses like cancer. Notably, euthanasia cases due to psychiatric conditions rose to 219 in 2024, up from 138 in 2023, and just two in 2010. This trend has raised concerns, particularly regarding individuals under 30 seeking euthanasia for psychological reasons. The regional euthanasia review committees have urged doctors to exercise “great caution” in psychiatric cases and to consult specialists to ensure well-informed decisions. - The Pope Returns Home
Pope Francis, 88, made his first public appearance on March 23, 2025, following a 38-day hospitalization for double pneumonia. He appeared frail, using a wheelchair, and briefly addressed the crowd from a hospital balcony, expressing gratitude for the prayers supporting his recovery. After leaving Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, he returned to the Vatican to continue his slow recovery, during which he is expected to rest for at least two months. - Snoopy Struts the Catwalk
A Paris exhibition is celebrating the fashion influence of Snoopy and the Peanuts characters. This exhibition explores how Snoopy’s image has been incorporated into high fashion and pop culture over the years. Designers have drawn inspiration from the beloved character, merging nostalgia with contemporary style, and highlighting the lasting impact of Snoopy’s unique look on global fashion. - Heathrow Airport Halted
Heathrow Airport was shut down following a fire that led to the closure of terminals and the cancellation of flights. The fire caused significant disruptions to air travel, forcing passengers to wait for updates on flight status. Emergency response teams worked to address the situation, while authorities began assessing the damage. Travelers were urged to remain informed about delays and any changes to flight schedules as recovery efforts were underway. - Portugal Stops Drug Smuggling Submarine
Portuguese authorities seized a semi-submersible vessel carrying 6.5 tons of cocaine, arrested five crew members, and intercepted it 500 nautical miles south of the Azores. The operation involved the Portuguese Air Force, Navy, Spain’s Civil Guard, the U.S. DEA, and British officials. The crew is suspected of being part of an international criminal group. Semi-submersible vessels, which travel low in the water to avoid detection, are occasionally used to transport drugs from South America to Europe. - Spain Faces Flooding After Severe Drought
Spain, after enduring months of drought, is now grappling with devastating floods caused by heavy rains. The extreme weather events, attributed to climate change, have disrupted infrastructure and agriculture, stressing the nation’s water management systems. Experts warn that such unpredictable weather patterns will become more frequent, underscoring the urgent need for adaptive strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
Week of March 10, 2025
- Italy’s Florence and Pisa on alert as heavy rains bring floods to Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna regions
Heavy rains in Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna have prompted flood alerts. In Sesto Fiorentino, the Rimaggio stream flooded central streets. In Bologna, evacuation of ground floors was ordered in anticipation of flooding. Extreme weather events have been deadly and devastating for these regions in recent years. - European Parliament assistants’ offices probed in alleged Huawei bribery case
Belgian officials are investigating alleged corruption in the European Parliament related to lobbying by Chinese company Huawei. Potential crimes include bribery, forgery, money laundering, and involvement in a criminal organisation. Belgian authorities searched homes across Belgian and Portugal and accessed EP assistants’ offices in connection to the alleged crimes; one office belongs to the assistants of Marco Falcone (Italy/EPP), Paolo Campisi and Francesco Vasta, and the other is the office of Adam Mouchtar, assistant to Nikola Minchev (Bulgaria/Renew Europe). The investigation is ongoing. - Who’s hit by tariff war crossfire? Wine, plastics and pulp top list of sectors
In the latest edition of the U.S. trade war, President Trump has proposed 200% tariffs on European wine and liquor exports. Other sectors of the European economy, namely paper and plastics, have expressed concern over the escalation citing potential issues in access to basic hygiene necessities and supply chain issues. The two economies are entwined across sectors and access to healthcare, hygiene, and other products seems to be at stake. Businesses in Europe are urging the EU to seek deescalation. - Legendary Russian composer Gubaidulina dies in Germany
Avant-garde composer Sofia Gubaidulina died aged 93 in Germany. She was blacklisted from the Soviet Union and spent most of her life in Germany after gaining acclaim for her music’s fusion of modern music with spiritual and religious themes. She wrote what has been called “the most important violin concerto of the 20th century” and is spoken of fondly by those she knew. - Chaos as MPs throw smoke grenades in Serbian Parliament
In the latest continuation of Serbian student protests over a railway collapse, members of parliament set off smoke bombs in the Parliament on Tuesday. A banner reading “Serbia is rising up for the regime to fall” was unfurled during the chaos. At least three MPs were injured and one is in critical condition after suffering a stroke. - North Sea oil tanker collision: What do we know?
Off the British Coast in the North Sea, the Stena Immaculate was struck while anchored, and reportedly carrying 220,000 barrels of jet fuel for the American military, by the Solong, a cargo ship sailing under a Portuguese flag. All but one of the 37 crew members were saved as nearby ships and coast guard scrambled to the scene, one of the Solong’s crew is missing – presumed dead. Investigations into the cause of the crash are ongoing, but it is not currently believed to have been caused by foul play. Pollution risks remain a mystery as crews focus on extinguishing the boats’ fires. For now, a 59 year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of “gross negligence manslaughter.”
Week of March 3, 2025
- Greece’s Ancient Burnout Remedy
An Ancient burnout remedy is still at the heart of this Greek village’s Carnival festival. In the mountain village of Distomo, participants don animal skins and heavy bronze bells, transforming into half-human, half-beast figures to dance through the streets. The dancers make their way, banging pots and pans and chanting profanities to “give society a jolt and to try to take away their misfortunes, their problems, to lift their spirits so they can feel something.” Rooted in pre-Christian times, this tradition honors Dionysus, the god of wine and revelry, and serves as a cultural pressure valve, lifting spirits and marking the transition to Lent. - Malta’s Eurovision Song Censored
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has ruled against Malta’s contestant song submission for this year’s Eurovision contest. Miriana Conte’s song “Kant” has been embroiled in controversy due to its title’s phonetic similarity to an offensive English term. Despite initial approval from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the BBC raised concerns about the song’s broadcast suitability, leading the EBU to mandate changes to both the title and lyrics. While Miriana Conte has expressed her disappointment, she states that she is committed to her performance. - Denmark’s Art Exhibit Sparks Outrage
A recent art installation in Copenhagen by Chilean-born artist Marco Evaristti has ignited global controversy. The exhibit featured three piglets confined in a shopping cart cage without food or water, intended to highlight the harsh realities of industrial pig farming in Denmark. The exhibit drew sharp criticism from animal rights groups, including World Animal Protection Denmark, which condemned the method as illegal and abusive. In a dramatic turn Evaristti’s friend Caspar Steffensen and an animal rights activist group, removed the piglets from the exhibit to prevent their suffering after Steffensen’s daughter had begged “make sure the piggies won’t die.” - Suspected Toxic Waste in Albania
Environmental organizations have condemned Albania’s lack of progress in investigating 102 containers suspected of containing hazardous waste. The shipment, intercepted near the port of Durrës, was initially intended for Thailand but was rejected and rerouted to Albania. The Basel Action Network (BAN) had alerted authorities about the potential illegal transport of 2,100 tons of toxic dust from steel industry pollution control filters. Despite the gravity of the situation, both the government and the Durrës prosecutor’s office have faced criticism for their insufficient response and communication. - Absinthe’s Resurgence in Europe
Once banned across Europe, absinthe is experiencing a remarkable revival. This resurgence is fueled by a renewed interest in its rich history and distinctive flavor profile. Bartenders and distillers are embracing traditional recipes, and innovative mixologists are also experimenting with absinthe in modern cocktails. The global absinthe market also reflects this trend and is set to reach $44.3 billion (€41.2 billion) by 2026. This growth is attributed to factors such as the craft cocktail movement, cultural tourism, and evolving regulatory landscapes that have lifted previous restrictions on the spirit. - European Union’s Entry/Exit System
European Union countries have agreed to implement the Entry/Exit System (EES), an automated electronic system designed to register travelers from non-EU countries each time they cross an EU external border. This system will replace traditional passport stamping, utilizing facial recognition and fingerprint scans to record entries and exits. The EES aims to enhance border security and streamline entry procedures by accurately recording the entry and exit times of travelers, thereby reducing irregular migration and improving the management of external borders. The phased launch is now expected to begin in the spring of 2025.
Week of February 24, 2025
- British musicians release a silent album to protest plans to let AI use their work
Amidst a government consultation over how AI will be allowed to use copyrighted materials, an ensemble of over 1,000 artists released a 12 track album in which not a single note can be heard. This stunning act of protest is titled “Is This What We Want?” and its tracks spell out “The British government must not legalize music theft to benefit AI companies.” The UK’s ruling party has expressed a desire to make their country a world leader in AI, but critics say there are ways to do so without abandoning the country’s creative industries. “Is This What We Want?” is just one act of protest this week; the Creative Rights in AI Coalition, a collection of publishers, artists’ organizations, and media companies, formed to oppose weakening copyright protections and several newspapers ran wraparound frontpages criticizing the consultation. - Irish figures show €6bn drop in trade with Great Britain Trade between Ireland and Great Britain has fallen from €38 billion to €32 billion according to Ireland’s Central Statistics Office. About half of that €6 billion drop was associated with chemical exports. The reduction has been attributed to difficult regulatory practices for exports across the Irish Sea, with dual regimes having been constructed since Brexit. Despite this, trade between Ireland and Northern Ireland has grown, particularly in the meat sector.
- Romanian prosecutors charge Georgescu on six counts in criminal case rocking the country
Romanian ultra-nationalist politician, Călin Georgescu, was detained for questioning about alleged misconduct during his last campaign. The six charges include anti-constitutional acts and misreporting his finances, but he has not been arrested. Misinformation appears to abound in this case as well as the presidential election that was annulled last December. In addition to Georgescu, sweeping raids have targeted those suspected of building weapons caches and engaging in anti-constitutional activities. - Poland’s Museums Veered to the Right. A New One Aims for the Middle
Over the last five years, Poland’s conservative government sought to install a more conservative culture. In museums, they replaced liberal art directors with ones more closely aligned with their values in an effort to encourage the display of conservative approved exhibits. Now that they have lost power, the new centrist government is trying to undo that cultural swerve. The Museum of Modern Art’s director, Joanna Mytkowska, thinks the solution is not aggressive countering, but a shift back to the middle. In the Museum’s inaugural exhibition, pieces covering topics lauded by both sides are displayed with little explanation to encourage individual interpretation. - Freight train derails in Czech Republic, causing major chemical fire
A freight train derailment in eastern Czech Republic caused a major benzene fire. Authorities reported that dangerous levels of the substance had not been detected in the nearby town, but that residents should keep their windows closed as a precaution. Firefighters from the Czech Republic and Slovakia were able to contain the blaze. - Foreign workers help Spain’s economic growth outpace the US and the rest of Europe
Spain’s economy grew 3% last year, far outpacing the 0.8% average for the rest of Europe. The Spanish manufacturing industry, the cause of this growth, is primarily driven by foreign workers. The head of human resources for BonÀrea hailed their contributions to the Spanish economy even as anti-immigration sentiments in the country grow.
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