Europe

Spain has approved a draft bill that widens abortion rights for teenagers as it becomes the first country in Europe to entitle workers to paid menstrual leave. The measures are part of a package of proposals that will be sent to Spain's parliament for debate. It includes an extension of abortion rights, scrapping the requirement for 16 and 17-year-olds to obtain parental consent before terminating a pregnancy. Meanwhile, it proposes giving workers who suffer from severe period pain three days of optional medical leave a month, with two additional days permitted in exceptional cases. "We will recognise in the law the right to leave for women who have painful periods that will be financed by the state," equality minister Irene Montero tweeted on Friday. Advertisement She said it would no longer be "normal to go to work in pain", adding the move would "end the stigma, shame and silence around periods". Jose Luis Escriva, Spain's minister for inclusion, … [Read more...] about Spain approves bill to become first country in Europe to offer menstrual leave

Published 18 May Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Related Topics Russia-Ukraine war Sweden and Finland have formally applied to join the Western security alliance Nato. Their decision was prompted by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. It is being welcomed by most of the 30 existing countries in Nato. However, Turkey is opposing either country joining the pact, saying the two countries support anti-Turkish terrorists. Sweden confirms Nato hopes in historic shift What is Nato? Nato - the North Atlantic Treaty Organization - is a defensive military alliance. It was formed in 1949 by 12 countries, including the US, UK, Canada and France. Members agree to come to one another's aid if they come under armed attack. Finland will take it to 31 members. Nato's original aim was to counter Russian expansion in Europe after World War Two. Following … [Read more...] about Ukraine conflict: What is Nato and how can Finland and Sweden join?

‘Ils ont fouetté la crème anglaise’: The amusing headline of regional newspaper Var - Matin proposed that Toulon had whipped the cream of the English club scene. Mark McCall would not have disagreed that Saracens were second best at a feverish Stade Mayol. Still, he does not seem prone to rash statements, so it was unsurprising to hear a pragmatic tone after the Challenge Cup semi-final on Saturday evening. The defeat did not just end the campaign for his team. Hours after Wasps went down in Lyon , Saracens were the last Premiership side left standing in Europe, so English clubs will have no representation in the final of either the Champions or Challenge Cup for the first time since 2013. That is stark, especially when you consider that there has not been a Premiership semi-finalist in the Champions Cup since 2020. That said, McCall has been reading some commentary on the European landscape. It has felt familiar. “I’ve kind of heard this before a few times, to be … [Read more...] about ‘I’ve heard this before, to be honest’: Mark McCall warns against writing off Premiership clubs in Europe

By Paul Kirby Published 20 hours ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Related Topics Russia-Ukraine war A senior figure in eastern Ukraine has denied reports that a vital road linking Ukrainian-controlled areas in the east has been blocked from the rest of the country by Russian forces. "Luhansk has not been cut off," said the region's military administration head, Serhiy Haidai. Fighting has reached the outskirts of the big city of Severodonetsk, a key Russian target. If they capture the road to Bakhmut then the city could be surrounded. Mr Haidai said that while the route to the south-west of Severodonetsk had come under fire, humanitarian aid was still getting through. Things were far bleaker in Severodonetsk itself, which was being shelled 24 hours a day and Russian forces were close enough to use mortar rounds as well as artillery and … [Read more...] about Severodonetsk: Battle for key road as fighting reaches Ukraine city

Published 17 hours ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Related Topics Russia-Ukraine war Russian forces have reached the outskirts of a key city in the Donbas region, Severodonetsk, which Ukraine says is under 24-hour a day bombardment as Russia attempts to take full control. But reports that Russia controls a vital arterial road south-west of the city are untrue, a Ukrainian official has told the BBC. "They can't take the city so they have decided to try to destroy it, and to make our troops leave the city," Luhansk regional governor Serhiy Haidai said. Russia now controls nearly all of Luhansk, one of two eastern regions that makes up Donbas. Read more about the situation on the ground here. 'The main thing is to stay alive' The Ukrainian army is under more pressure than at any time since the first desperate weeks after the Russian … [Read more...] about Ukraine round-up: Russia’s food war and dead soldiers abandoned

By Sarah Rainsford Published 1 day ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Related Topics Russia-Ukraine war When their dogs started digging insistently at a spot in the woods, villagers in Zavalivka called in the authorities. A Ukrainian military team were soon at the scene in white protective suits, carefully removing the topsoil. They uncovered a man's body, face down with his legs oddly twisted beneath him. It was clear from his uniform that he was a Russian soldier. Weeks after they failed to seize Ukraine's capital, the remains of Russian troops are still being discovered in and around the villages they passed through or occupied near the capital, Kyiv. But Ukraine says Russia shows little interest in getting them back. From the grave in the woods, the body was removed to a refrigerated train on the outskirts of Kyiv that now operates as a mobile … [Read more...] about Ukraine war: Bodies of dead Russian soldiers abandoned near Kyiv

By Patrick Jackson & James Waterhouse Published 2 days ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Related Topics Russia-Ukraine war A court in Ukraine has jailed a Russian tank commander for life for killing a civilian at the first war crimes trial since the invasion. Captured soldier Sgt Vadim Shishimarin was convicted of killing Oleksandr Shelipov, 62, in the north-eastern village of Chupakhivka on 28 February. He admitted shooting Mr Shelipov but said he had been acting on orders and asked forgiveness of the man's widow. Many other alleged war crimes are being investigated by Ukraine. And in a conflict where the deliberate targeting of civilians has become one of the defining features, Monday's outcome sets a significant legal precedent. Moscow has always denied its troops have targeted civilians, despite a wealth of evidence to the contrary, while … [Read more...] about Ukraine war: Russian soldier Vadim Shishimarin jailed for life over war crime

Russian state TV hosts on Wednesday mocked countries that have reported cases of the monkeypox virus as the outbreak continues to advance across Europe and North America rapidly. Outbreaks of the viral disease have been reported in nearly 20 countries where the virus is not endemic. The infectious disease, which was first discovered in monkeys, is spread by close contact and is usually mild. In recent weeks, more than 100 confirmed infections have been reported mainly in Europe, with additional suspected cases. In a video clip shared by Daily Beast columnist Julia Davis on Twitter , Russian state television hosts Evgeny Popov and Olga Skabeeva, and Russian politician and member of the State Duma Alexei Zhuravlyov derided the nations which have reported monkeypox outbreaks. Skabeeva claimed that the affected countries are sending weapons to Ukraine. The clip has so far amassed more than 30,000 views. "Monkeypox. Almost all who got sick with it are men of non-traditional … [Read more...] about Russian state TV mocks other countries suffering monkeypox outbreak

Energy: Mike Foster warns of ‘horrible choice’ Get pensions news and advice plus latest money alerts for FREE now SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Kona Energy, a UK based company that is focused on developing grid-scale battery energy storage projects, has been granted planning approval to build one of Europe’s largest battery storage facilities. The firm will build a 200MW battery storage facility in Heysham, Lancashire, that is set to save 45,000 tonnes of CO2 per annum, which is the equivalent of taking 15,000 cars off the road per year. Related articles Putin's horror nuke plot exposed: 'Justify using his own!' UK exporting record levels of energy to France... as bills to SOAR. The startup … [Read more...] about Energy crisis: UK to build huge battery storage to slash £1bn ‘waste of energy and money’

MANCHESTER City are set to bank nearly £53m from the Champions League next season - before kicking a ball. And Spurs ’ return to Europe’s elite will add a minimum £37m into the N17 coffers - with the potential of earning more than £110m. But Arsenal and Manchester United will earn under £17m each, and a maximum of up to £26m for taking part in the Thursday-Sunday grind of the Europa League . And West Ham ’s second successive European campaign will see them struggle to make more than a relative pittance with just £7.9m guaranteed for their place in the Conference League . The financial importance of Champions League football was again made clear by the difference between the top four’s income projections and the rest. All four Prem sides get £13.26m purely as a participation payment, as well as a share of the £28.7m first half of the English TV “market pool”. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL GUNNERS NEWS Nketiah's £100k per week … [Read more...] about Arsenal in huge financial blow for missing out on Champions League as Tottenham get transfer kitty boost of up to £110m