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 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.
Week of February 17, 2025
- Polish Farmers Take Law Into Their Own Hands
Protests by Polish farmers, fueled by frustrations over economic challenges caused by Ukraine’s grain exports, are creating political and social divisions. These protests, which have taken place near Poland’s border with Ukraine, have sparked debates about Poland’s identity, history, and national sovereignty, particularly ahead of the May 2025 presidential election. Many Polish citizens still stand in solidarity with Ukraine and support its fight against Russia. However, growing discontent comes from the sense that this support is being prioritized at the expense of Poland’s own people. - STIs Hit Record Highs in Europe
Health authorities in Europe are urging immediate action as certain sexually transmitted infections reach record highs. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has reported a significant increase in cases of syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia across multiple European countries. Health authorities are calling for enhanced public health campaigns, improved access to sexual health services, and increased funding for STI prevention and research to combat this issue. - Tourists Flock to Etna Eruption
Thousands of tourists have flocked to Mount Etna to witness its recent eruptions, causing significant traffic congestion and hindering rescue operations. Sicily’s head of regional civil protection described the situation as “wild” and “extremely dangerous”. Incidents included eight people getting lost, a man fracturing his foot, and multiple tourists getting dangerously close to lava flows. Local authorities have ordered visitors to stay at least 500 meters from the lava, but many have ignored this directive. - Rising Anti-LGBTQ Sentiment Spreads Across Europe
Across Europe, there is growing concern over the rise of anti-LGBTIQ narratives, leading to increased attacks and discrimination against LGBTIQ individuals. Katrin Hugendubel, Advocacy Director at ILGA-Europe, states that anti-LGBTIQ campaigns are paving the way for restrictive legislation in many European countries. Ongoing homophobic and transphobic hate and misinformation campaigns have laid the groundwork for laws such as anti-propaganda laws and foreign agent laws targeting LGBTIQ rights. - Pope Francis in Hospital
Pope Francis diagnosed with double pneumonia after initially seeking treatment for what he thought was bronchitis but was a respiratory tract infection. He was initially admitted on February 14, 2025, and has since stayed there. He is receiving antibiotic cortisone therapy at Rome’s Gemelli hospital. His condition has led to the cancellation of his commitments, including a Jubilee audience and general audience sessions. Despite his illness, he continues nightly phone calls with Gaza’s Holy Family church, maintaining his routine. - Fake Art Discovered in Rome
Authorities in Rome have uncovered a workshop producing forged artworks by renowned artists such as Picasso and Rembrandt. Seventy-one paintings, some completed and others in progress, were seized, along with extensive painting supplies and forged certificates of authenticity. The investigation began after officials noticed numerous suspicious paintings for sale online. This discovery follows a previous bust in November 2024, where Italian police dismantled a Europe-wide forgery network.
Week of February 10, 2025
- The tiny Alpine principality of Liechtenstein is set to get its first female prime minister
Since 1921, every Prime Minister in Liechtenstein has been a man. This year that may change as Brigitte Haas is predicted to be the next PM following her party’s 38.8% win in the recent election - Innovators gear up work on ‘green’ hydrogen plane with plans for nonstop 9-day trip around Earth
Bertrand Piccard is attempting to pioneer ‘green’ air travel. Through electrolysis, his team at Climate Impulse is creating a hydrogen powered plane, with plans to fly it for 9-days non-stop in just three years. Though it would take decades to fully implement on the commercial level, this technology holds the promise of greatly reducing global carbon emissions. The planes would not be emission free, though many caution that the environmental impact of water vapor emissions are still unknown. - How to watch the German election like a pro
Germany’s election on February 23 will be a gauge of how far the country has swung to the right. The conservative party is expected to secure a comfortable majority, but the AfD’s strong polling has many concerned about the far right’s influence. Following the 2024 collapse of Scholz’s coalition, German voters head to the polls ahead of schedule to elect new officials to the Bundestag. Current polling puts the conservatives in a difficult spot as the CDU’s previous allies rebuke Merz’s support of Afd immigration reform. Will they form a controversial coalition with the far-right despite supposed commitment to the Brandmauer? Or will they attempt a tenuous coalition with their disappointed allies? - Flight costs from France to rise as government more than doubles air tax
The French “airline solidarity tax” is set to more than double as the new budget bill is implemented. The French government has called the increase fair on ecological and fiscal grounds, but critics have called it excessive and damaging to the industry’s ability to compete. Some budget airlines have threatened to cease flights in the country. The money generated by the tax is used to fund France’s international aid programmes. - Valentine’s Day in Europe: From cheese hearts to lion love stories
Across Europe there are many different ways couples celebrate Valentine’s Day. From cornicello in Italy to cheese in France, each country is celebrating love a little differently. - EU Commission to activate fiscal escape clause to boost defence spending
EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen has announced her intention to lessen the EU’s fiscal rules around defense spending. Current rules restrict member state spending with the intention of controlling the continent’s deficit, but in light of the Ukraine war many believe the bloc needs to invest more in their defense. Next month, the White Paper on Defence will be presented with the specific proposals for improving Europe’s defense capabilities.
Week of February 3, 2025
- Earthquakes Shake Santorini Over the Weekend
Santorini, one of Europe’s most popular tourist locations, has been hit with hundreds of earthquakes over the past week. The quakes have damaged buildings and infrastructure, but no major casualties have been reported. Authorities have started taking precautions by sending out drones and setting up emergency tents next to the island’s hospital. Residents have been warned of what to expect and schools on Santorini, as well as the nearby islands, will remain shut all week. Despite the tremors, Santorini’s tourism industry has not been significantly affected, with many visitors continuing to flock to the island. - Poland’s New Landmark in Religious Tourism
Poland has officially begun construction on what is set to become one of the world’s tallest statues of the Virgin Mary sitting at 55.6 meters high. This ambitious project has drawn attention for both its scale and the symbolic meaning behind it. The statue will stand in the town of Konotopie and is designed to surpass the height of the world-renowned statue Christ the Redeemer in Brazil. Locals hope that the statue will promote religious tourism in the area, boosting Konotop tourist numbers. The construction work is expected to be completed by the middle of 2026. - AI Unveils Secrets of 2,000-Year-Old Scrolls Burned in Vesuvius Eruption
Researchers have used AI and 3D X-rays to digitally “unroll” a charred ancient scroll from Herculaneum, a town destroyed by Mount Vesuvius in AD79. The scroll, one of many found in a Roman villa, had been too fragile to open. Researchers used 3D imaging to virtually unroll the scroll, and AI to detect where ink was present. Due to these advancements, researchers have now been able to read more recoverable text than ever before. - Mass Shooting in Sweden Leaves 11 Dead
On February 4, 2025, a tragic mass shooting occurred at Campus Risbergska, an adult education center in Örebro, Sweden, resulting in at least 11 fatalities, including the gunman, and leaving at least five others seriously injured. This incidence is the Scandinavian nation’s deadliest shooting. Witnesses described the scenes of chaos and panic as the gunman opened fire, hearing continuous gunfire until police arrived after two and a half hours. The motive behind the attack remains unclear and a national mourning period has been initiated. - EU Supports Moldova with €250 Million to Overcome Energy Crisis
The European Union and Moldova, a candidate country for EU membership, have reached an agreement on an energy security plan to reduce Moldova’s reliance on Russian energy supplies. The EU will provide Moldova with 250 million euros to address the impact of Gazprom’s January 1st gas supply cut. This decision left Moldova’s pro-Russian Transnistria region without heating and hot water, leading to daily electrical outages. The EU’s financial support aims to help citizens pay rising electricity bills and ease the country’s energy crisis as it works to integrate with the EU’s energy network. - 300 POWs Exchanged Between Ukraine and Russia
The recent prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia marks a significant step in a long-standing conflict. The countries successfully exchanged 150 prisoners of war each in a deal brokered by the United Arab Emirates. Ukrainians were greeted by their families in an undisclosed location after spending up to two years in captivity, while Russian citizens underwent medical checks in Belarus before returning home. Both sides thanked the UAE for their “humanitarian efforts.” Meanwhile, while many Ukranian families celebrated this homecoming, hundreds were left devastated after Russian attack in Poltava, Ukraine leaves 14 dead.
View our News from Europe Archive for previous news.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |