The European Correspondent

🗞️The 77th Cannes Film Festival opened amidst whispers of a potential 'list' exposing sexual abuse in French cinema, while festival workers threaten to strike for better conditions. France's film industry faces a reckoning with recent allegations and the upcoming trial of Gérard Depardieu for sexual assaults. Notably, actress Judith Godrèche's accusations have ignited discussions, with 100 French celebrities denouncing sexual violence on the front page of Le Monde, urging comprehensive legislation. ✍️ Juliette Ovigneur 🔗Subscribe and don't miss anything about Western Europe. #EuropeanCorrespondent

Metodikos, matuojančios Europarlamento narių įtaką, neatsižvelgia į svarbią mūsų darbo dalį- darbą, siekiant sutelkti tiek ES visuomenes, tiek jų lyderius svarbiausiais mums klausimais. The European Correspondent tinklalaidės epizpodas- šio darbo pavyzdys- kuriame su tinklalaidės kūrėjais ir Europarlamento Saugumo ir gynybos pakomitečio pirmininke Nathalie Loiseau kalbame apie grėsmes Europai bei Europos pasirengimą gintis. Džiaugiuosi, jog vis dažniau mūsų klausia ir vis įdėmiau klausosi

🗞️Recent UK study shows girls in all-girls schools outperform boys in all-boys schools, and even surpass girls in mixed schools, with a 10% grade difference in 2023 after accounting for backgrounds. This highlights the benefit of tailored environments for female students, also enhancing success in STEM subjects. ✍️ Mia Jeronimus 🔗Subscribe and don't miss anything about Western Europe. #EuropeanCorrespondent

Weeks off, wages lost 🍼Maternity significantly impacts women's careers and their participation in the labour market. While taking time off to care for children is crucial, receiving adequate pay during this period is equally essential. If women cannot afford to stay home for the necessary time, they are often forced to return to work earlier than the ideal duration of seven months to a year, further deepening gender inequalities in the job market. 🔗For more details, head to the link in bio and read today’s newsletter. 🖌️Paula Lago #EuropeanCorrespondent

🗞️Six months after his surprising election win, far-right leader Geert Wilders has formed a coalition with three other right-wing parties to govern the Netherlands for the first time in its history. The announcement came Wednesday evening after 175 days of negotiations. Though Wilders won't be prime minister, the coalition is expected to prioritize stricter asylum and migration policies. The identity of the next prime minister remains uncertain, with Wilders stating that it will be revealed later, and the government may include technocrats as none of the party leaders will hold positions within it. ✍️ Nathan Domon 🔗Subscribe and don't miss anything about Western Europe. #EuropeanCorrespondent

Following pro-Palestine university encampments in the US, over 90 universities in Europe have also joined campus occupations. Protestors are demanding their institutions disclose and break ties with Israeli universities. Meanwhile, no functioning universities are left in Gaza, as all 12 major universities have been destroyed. While some protests in Europe were met with violence like the encampment at the University of Amsterdam, others have stopped their demonstrations after demands were met. Our research shows that police violence resulting in physical injuries was reported in at least 5 universities across Europe. On a different note, Trinity University in Dublin and Goldsmiths in London have agreed to the academic boycott, and the rising number of Spanish encampments has led to over 75 educational institutions in the country cutting and revising ties with Israeli universities. Created by Hanna Huld

Unveiling Hungary's Emergence as Europe's Electric Vehicle Hub: China's Strategic Investments and Their Implications. As Budapest solidifies its economic ties with Beijing, attracting €16 billion in investments, the region braces for potential shifts. Slovakia emerges as a potential partner, echoing Hungary's trajectory. Yet, amidst economic gains, concerns over environmental impact and political ramifications cast a shadow, highlighting the nuanced dynamics at play. A long story by Fruzsina Szikszai, Katarina Spisakova and Jasper Bennink . Read here: https://buff.ly/4aomSk3 #EuropeanCorrespondent

Adults in Czechia will now be able to legally buy popular psychomodulatory substances such as HHC and kratom. This comes after the government panicked following several overdose cases in winter and started banning the sale of a few types of HHC while not banning other, even more, intense varieties that immediately emerged on the market. The market with the "new drugs" is now to be controlled. Advertising the substances and HHC/kratom vending machines will be prohibited as the previously rejected "smart regulation", which we reported on earlier this year, has finally found its place in the law. Psychoactive drugs are going to be classified according to their risk level, and only adults will be able to buy the less risky ones. A commentary by Jakub Roubíček. Read here: https://buff.ly/3WIn0HH #EuropeanCorrepondent

As in many other European countries, especially in the West and the North of the continent, the shift of people away from church and other religious institutions has been picking up pace in the past years. While many church leaders have not yet found a response to the trend, a single church in the German city of Heidelberg might have found the answer: a combination of traditional service and a Taylor Swift music experience. The event called “Anti-Hero”, which took place last Sunday in Heidelberg, featured a variety of the pop star's songs followed by interpretations of the religious messages that could be referenced in her lyrics. "It was important to me that we hold a traditional service and include pop music, rather than having an event or a concert," the church pastor, Vincenzo Petracca, told The European Correspondent. The success was remarkable: despite initially planning only one service, the incredibly high demand meant the church added another appointment, creating around 600 seats for attendees. The second appointment got fully booked within a short amount of time. "We were very surprised by the outstanding popularity of the idea," said Petracca. A top story by Jasper Bennink. Read here: https://buff.ly/3K0X9mL #EuropeanCorrespondent

The European Correspondent proudly presents our latest endeavor: the "Meanwhile in Europe" podcast! 🎧 Listen to us diving into insightful conversations with guests across the continent, exploring diverse topics shaping Europe's landscape. EPISODE 1: Is Europe ready to defend itself? From the EU's military ambitions to bolstering ammunition production, we dissect the continent's defense strategy. Hear insights from two former ministers and MEPs, Nathalie Loiseau (Renew Group), a French politician and diplomat, and Rasa Juknevičienė (European People’s Party), a Lithuanian politician. Listen to the first episode anywhere you listen to podcasts or link in the first comment