Browsing: Europe

Iran has long been one of the world’s most prolific executioners. But it seems to have taken the death penalty to a new level recently, with dozens of people executed in the last few weeks, according to the Norway-based NGO Iran Human Rights. The UN has denounced what it calls state-sanctioned killing, while campaigners say capital punishment has been weaponised to intimidate those who have been protesting since of the death of Mahsa Amini. She died following her arrest last September, after allegedly violating the Islamic Republic’s dress code for women. The EU’s response has included sanctions and a strongly-worded resolution in the European Parliament. But what more should the bloc be doing?

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy took centre stage this week as he toured European capitals, drumming up support. #StateOfTheUnion

Donations and a field hospital: How Belgium is mobilising to help Turkey and Syria

Marc Tarabella’s parliamentary immunity was lifted by MEPs earlier this month, paving the way for his arrest.

Lithium has become a vital component for the batteries that power electric cars. But with neither mines nor refineries on its soil, can Europe break its dependence on foreign imports? The Down to Earth team takes a closer look.

France’s latest Eurovision song was in Breton – a language whose existence the government doesn’t even acknowledge. From roughly a million back in the 1950s, the number of Breton speakers has shrunk to less than 200,000 today, leading UNESCO to warn that the language is at high risk of going extinct.

Marina Ovsyannikova, the Russian journalist known for storming a prime-time news broadcast on state television to protest against the war in Ukraine, has released an autobiographical book describing the media “propaganda factory” in Moscow.

Aaron Duffy posted the reckless video to his Instagram account and one of his followers reported him to police.

It’s one of the oldest symbols of democracy. The 2,500-year-old Parthenon in the Greek capital Athens attracts around 7.2 million vistors annually. But for more than two centuries, the site has been missing some of its marble sculptures. They were taken by the British ambassador in the 1800s, then sold to the British Museum in London, where they are still on display. Now pressure is mounting on the museum to return the Greek sculptures to their birthplace. Our correspondents in Greece report.

Turkey earthquake: Rescuers search through rubble on third freezing night as death toll nears 16,000  Monday’s earthquakes in southern Turkey and northern Syria have now…

Ukraine war: Zelensky asks Europe for fighter jets President Zelensky has renewed his request for fighter jets, a day after asking the UK, the Ukrainian…

Zelenskyy was in London and Paris on Wednesday to meet with his British, French and German counterparts.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Brussels on Thursday to rally EU leaders to step up support for his war-ravaged country on the third leg of his European tour, officials said. Follow our liveblog for all the latest developments on the war in Ukraine. All times are Paris time (GMT+1).

A speech made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been quickly misinterpreted by many, in a video circulating on Twitter where he allegedly asks for pre-emptive nuclear strikes against Russia. Zelensky was referring to economic “strikes”, not nuclear strikes. We tell you more in this edition of Truth or Fake.

International investigators said Wednesday there were “strong indications” that Russian President Vladimir Putin personally approved the supply of the missile that shot down Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 over Ukraine in 2014.

The study was produced by the European Parliamentary Forum for Sexual and Reproductive Rights (EPF).

The Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson says organised crime poses as big a threat to society as terrorism.

The International Olympic Committee pushed back against the mayor of Paris on Wednesday, insisting there were no plans for “a Russian or Belarusian delegation” at the 2024 Games while also acknowledging that some athletes from those countries could be welcomed.

All the relocations have been conducted from Italy and Cyprus towards other countries in Western Europe.

Turkey earthquake: Death toll tops 11,000 and Erdogan visits survivors More than 11,000 people have been killed in Turkey and northern Syria following the deadly…

Syrian government requests European humanitarian assistance two days after devastating earthquake

Turkey earthquake: Desperate search continues as death toll tops 8,700 More than 8,700 people have been confirmed dead in Turkey and Syria following Monday’s earthquake.…

She was just 15 years old.

The EU Commission proposed EUR145 million in new funding last week to support the country’s economy and energy security.

The Dutchman has long been linked with the Premier League.