With so many urgent domestic headlines fighting for our attention, it’s easy to forget that some of the most consequential stories right now aren’t unfolding in the US at all. From NATO budget battles to protests over billionaire weddings, Europe is wrestling with questions that feel both local and deeply global, touching on everything from civil liberties and climate regulation to migration and militarization. In this latest roundup, I’ve pulled together 25 major European headlines you might not have seen in your feed — along with context on why they matter and what they reveal about where the world is headed:
1.
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is pushing back against a NATO proposal to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP, calling the demand “unreasonable” and incompatible with Spain’s social spending goals. In a letter to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Sánchez warned that such a requirement would undermine the country’s welfare state and green transition priorities. Spain spent less than 2% of GDP on defense last year — the lowest in the alliance — but has pledged to meet NATO’s previous 2% target by 2025. His rejection risks derailing consensus at next week’s summit in The Hague, where most members, including Sweden and the Netherlands, are expected to back the new goal — a key demand of US President Donald Trump.
2.
Norway has publicly backed a proposed NATO goal for member states to spend 5% of GDP on defense, with 3.5% earmarked for traditional military spending and aid to Ukraine, and 1.5% for broader defense-related expenses like infrastructure protection and cybersecurity. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said the details of the timeline are still under discussion. Norway currently spends about 3.2%, including Ukraine aid, but NATO’s 2024 estimate puts it at 2.2%. Støre emphasized the urgency of the proposal, calling the current security environment the most serious since World War II.
3.
Spanish police entered the headquarters of Spain’s ruling Socialist Party on Friday to copy emails from former senior official Santos Cerdán, whose resignation last week sparked a political crisis. The investigation centers on alleged kickbacks tied to public infrastructure contracts, with Cerdán reportedly at the center of the payment scheme. The probe also involves former Transport Minister José Luis Ábalos and his ex-aide Koldo García, with a judge ordering the review of over 500 bank accounts and contracts handled by the transport ministry and state rail operator Adif. Though officials insist this was not a formal raid, it underscores the escalating severity of the scandal.
4.
Tourism in Europe has skyrocketed, with international arrivals rising from 416 million in 2005 to over 747 million in 2024, according to UN data. While countries like Spain, France, and Portugal are raking in billions — Spain alone earned €80 billion from international tourists in 2023 — the influx is sparking growing unrest. Cities like Barcelona, Lisbon, and Naples have seen major protests against “touristification,” as residents grapple with crowded streets, overburdened infrastructure, and skyrocketing housing prices. In Portugal, for instance, property values jumped 105.8% between 2015 and 2023, pricing many locals out of their own cities. Short-term rentals and cruise ships are drawing particular scrutiny, prompting cities like Amsterdam and Dubrovnik to crack down with bans and limits. Policymakers and tourism officials are now experimenting with tech-based crowd control and off-season travel incentives to ease the pressure.
5.
As Jeff Bezos prepares to wed Lauren Sánchez in a rumored €10 million celebration in Venice, local activists are mobilizing to protest what they say the event symbolizes: the commodification of their city. Under the banner “No Space for Bezos,” demonstrators plan to block streets and canals on June 28 with boats, banners, and even music — not to oppose the wedding itself, but to protest Venice’s increasing transformation into a playground for the ultra-wealthy. Protesters say the wedding highlights a deeper issue of overtourism, economic inequality, and depopulation. With just 51,000 residents remaining in the historic center and some 30 million tourists arriving annually, many Venetians feel priced out and sidelined. Bezos, they argue, represents the kind of global wealth that thrives while local services shrink and wages stagnate.
6.
A coalition of EU health ministers is calling for international limits on sperm and egg donations, aiming to curb the rise of “super donors” whose gametes have resulted in dozens — sometimes hundreds — of children worldwide. Introduced by Sweden and Belgium and backed by several other countries, the proposal seeks to address growing ethical and psychosocial concerns, as well as prevent potential health risks. High-profile cases, including a Dutch donor suspected of fathering over 550 children and another whose sperm carried a cancer-linked genetic mutation used to conceive at least 52 children, have sparked public outcry. While some EU countries cap donations domestically, there are currently no international rules or registries, leaving cross-border fertility clinics with little oversight. Ministers are pushing for an EU-wide donor quota and registry to prevent future scandals and protect donor-conceived families.
7.
The UK and Spain have reached a landmark agreement over Gibraltar’s post-Brexit future, resolving a key point of tension by establishing joint border checks and eliminating land border controls between Gibraltar and Spain. Under the deal, Schengen rules will apply at Gibraltar’s airport and port through Eurostar-style dual passport checks, while sovereignty remains unchanged. The agreement aims to maintain free movement for thousands of daily cross-border workers and marks a significant milestone in UK-EU relations since Brexit.
8.
In a surprise move, the European Commission is withdrawing its proposed Green Claims Directive, a law meant to crack down on “greenwashing” by requiring companies to back up environmental claims with evidence and independent verification. The proposal, introduced in 2023 as part of the broader European Green Deal, was on the brink of final approval after months of negotiations. Its sudden withdrawal — just days before a scheduled trilogue meeting between Parliament and Council negotiators — has outraged lawmakers, who accuse the Commission of undermining the legislative process. No official reason has been given, but critics warn the decision could further weaken the Green Deal, which has already seen multiple rollbacks under recent efforts to simplify EU regulations. Legal experts also question whether the Commission is overstepping its authority, as the withdrawal doesn’t appear to meet the usual thresholds of deadlock or obsolescence.
9.
Google suffered a major blow Thursday as a top European court adviser recommended upholding a $4.7 billion EU antitrust fine, one of the largest in history. The case centers on claims that Google abused the dominance of its Android mobile operating system by requiring phone manufacturers to pre-install Google Search and Chrome in exchange for access to the Play Store, limiting consumer choice and stifling rival app developers. Google says the decision, if upheld, would hurt open platforms and Android users, but the court’s final ruling could cement a landmark precedent in the bloc’s crackdown on Big Tech.
10.
The Council of Europe’s Human Rights Commissioner has raised alarm over Germany’s response to pro-Gaza demonstrations, warning of serious infringements on freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. In a letter to the German Interior Minister, the Commissioner cited bans on Arabic language and cultural symbols at protests, heavy surveillance of demonstrators, and the use of excessive police force — including against minors. He also noted reports of universities suppressing speech and foreign nationals facing deportation for participating in rallies. Of particular concern is how some German authorities are interpreting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism in ways that could conflate criticism of Israel with hate speech. The Commissioner called for investigations into alleged police misconduct and urged Germany to uphold democratic rights, especially in politically sensitive contexts.
11.
More than 100,000 demonstrators marched through The Hague on Sunday — many dressed in red — demanding the Dutch government take stronger action against Israel’s war in Gaza. Organized by major NGOs like Amnesty International and Save the Children, the protest aimed to form a symbolic “red line” around the city’s center. It follows a similar May protest and adds pressure on Dutch officials ahead of a NATO summit in The Hague later this month.
12.
A US-backed Israeli spyware company, Paragon Solutions, was linked to the targeting of at least three journalists in Europe — including senior editors at Fanpage.it, an Italian investigative outlet critical of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing government. According to Citizen Lab, Paragon’s spyware Graphite was used to infect devices through zero-click exploits, prompting renewed concerns over surveillance abuses in democratic nations. Italy denies illegally spying on journalists, though its parliamentary intelligence committee confirmed government surveillance of civil society activists. Paragon, once framed as an ethical alternative to NSO Group, holds contracts with US federal agencies and was acquired by a Florida investment firm last year.
13.
The European Union has determined there are “indications” that Israel is violating human rights obligations under the EU-Israel association agreement — a major framework for trade, political cooperation, and research funding. The finding, from a leaked draft report commissioned by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, comes amid growing concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. While no immediate action is expected, foreign ministers will meet Monday to discuss possible next steps. The agreement includes a clause stating that respect for human rights is an “essential element” of EU-Israel relations — a clause that, until now, has never been formally tested.
14.
Belgium announced it will reintroduce targeted border checks this summer to curb illegal migration, marking another restriction within Europe’s Schengen zone of passport-free travel. The checks will focus on major roads, trains, buses, and flights from countries with “high migration pressure” such as Greece and Italy. Migration Minister Anneleen Van Bossuyt said the move aims to stop “asylum shopping” and reduce the country’s appeal to migrants rejected elsewhere. The decision follows similar policies from Germany and the Netherlands, as rising asylum applications strain Belgium’s reception capacity.
15.
Italy saw both immigration and emigration hit decade highs last year, with over 382,000 foreigners arriving and more than 155,000 Italians leaving the country. The figures highlight dual pressures: Italy’s need for foreign labor amid a shrinking population and its struggle to retain citizens, many of whom are leaving in search of better economic opportunities abroad. Ukrainians, Albanians, and Bangladeshis were among the top arriving nationalities, while internal migration from the poorer South to wealthier Northern regions continued.
16.
Ten years after Europe’s 2015 migration crisis, the Greek island of Lesbos — once the epicenter of a humanitarian emergency — continues to grapple with its legacy. Over 1 million people entered Europe during the crisis, many landing on the Greek island’s Northern coast. Their arrival reshaped EU politics, strained unity, and fueled the rise of anti-migrant populism. While fewer migrants arrive today, Lesbos remains a symbolic flashpoint: overcrowded shelters persist, border security dominates policy, and a new EU-funded migrant camp remains unopened amid legal challenges. Activists and locals say the spirit of compassion still exists, but national and EU policy has shifted decisively toward deterrence.
17.
A French refugee charity has warned that a new plan authorizing police to enter the sea to stop UK-bound asylum seekers will lead to more drownings and legal challenges. The controversial tactic, reportedly already underway ahead of a Franco-British summit, allows police to intercept boats within 300 meters of the French coast. Footage this week showed officers waist-deep in water using CS gas (a tear gas) and batons to force back a dinghy. Critics say the plan will escalate violence and desperation at sea, pushing migrants toward riskier routes and violating international law. At least 73 people died attempting the Channel crossing in 2024 — more than in the previous six years combined.
18.
The UK House of Commons has passed a bill that would legalize assisted dying for mentally competent, terminally ill adults in England and Wales with six months or less to live, marking the country’s most significant social reform in decades. The 314–291 vote clears the bill’s biggest hurdle and sends it to the House of Lords for further scrutiny. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and many others voted in favor, though opposition remains strong over fears of coercion and weakened safeguards. The bill replaces a prior court-approval model with a review panel including a social worker, legal figure, and psychiatrist, which critics say is less robust.
19.
Romania’s newly elected president, Nicușor Dan, has nominated Ilie Bolojan, a center-right former mayor and interim president earlier this year, to serve as prime minister and help resolve the country’s ongoing political crisis. Bolojan, from the National Liberal Party (PNL), will need parliamentary approval to lead a coalition government with the leftist Social Democrats (PSD), the reformist Save Romania Union, and the ethnic Hungarian UDMR party. If confirmed, he will be tasked with restoring financial stability and tackling delayed state reforms amid a growing budget deficit and deep political divides.
20.
A heated debate erupted in the European Parliament this week after Hungary formally banned Budapest’s annual Pride march, citing the country’s controversial “child protection” law. Left-leaning and centrist MEPs denounced the move as an attack on freedom of expression and LGBTQ+ rights, calling it a violation of EU law and urging the Commission to trigger sanctions under Article 7. Hungarian officials defended the ban as a matter of national sovereignty and child safety, while far-right MEPs argued Brussels had no right to interfere. The Budapest mayor is now trying to legally override the police ban by registering the city as the official organizer, setting up a showdown just days before the event. Around 70 MEPs plan to travel to the march in solidarity, while the European Commission investigates potential legal action. AI surveillance and fines have also been announced for attendees under the new law.
21.
After nearly two decades of stalled negotiations, the EU’s Equal Treatment directive — which aimed to expand protections against discrimination based on religion, disability, age, and sexual orientation — has officially hit a dead end. Despite widespread support from most member states and approval from the European Parliament, opposition from Germany, Czechia, and Italy has blocked the bill’s passage in the European Council, where unanimity is required. The legislation, first proposed in 2008, would have extended anti-discrimination protections into areas like education, healthcare, housing, and public services. With the current draft unlikely to move forward, the European Commission plans to pivot to non-legislative initiatives, like policy roadmaps on LGBTQ+ rights and anti-racism — a move that NGOs have criticized as symbolic and lacking enforcement power. Civil society groups are calling the failure a major setback for equality across the bloc.
22.
The European Union is advancing its first-ever legislation on the welfare of cats and dogs, aiming to regulate a €1.3 billion industry and curb inhumane practices like ear cropping. The proposed law would require electronic microchipping for traceability and introduce baseline animal welfare standards — but critics say it falls short in several key areas. MEPs and NGOs warn that the legislation contains loopholes that could allow illegal pet trade to flourish online, particularly since it doesn’t mandate verification for sellers on platforms where most black-market activity occurs. Another concern is an exemption for small-scale breeders, which could leave as many as 80% of breeders unregulated. Shelters, already overwhelmed, would continue to bear the burden of untraceable or abandoned animals. Lawmakers are now pushing for amendments ahead of a crucial vote in the European Parliament.
23.
A court in Azerbaijan has sentenced seven journalists, including Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reporter Farid Mehralizada and six staffers from the independent outlet Abzas Media, to prison terms ranging from 7.5 to 9 years. The journalists were convicted on charges including illegal entrepreneurship, tax evasion, and forgery — accusations widely denounced by international rights groups as politically motivated. Press freedom watchdogs, including Reporters Without Borders and Amnesty International, have condemned the verdicts, calling them part of a broader campaign to silence investigative journalism in the country. The crackdown has intensified over the past year, with multiple news outlets raided, press credentials revoked, and foreign media organizations forced to shut down. Mehralizada, who had no formal ties to Abzas Media, was detained in 2024 and missed the birth of his child while awaiting trial.
24.
A Russian court has sentenced activist Nadezhda Rossinskaya to 22 years in prison on charges of treason and financing terrorism after she helped evacuate Ukrainians from Russian-occupied territory. Rossinskaya, also known as Nadin Geisler, ran a volunteer group called “Army of Beauties,” which claimed to assist thousands of civilians fleeing war zones. She was arrested in February 2024 after an Instagram post — which she denied authoring — allegedly called for donations to Ukrainian forces. Prosecutors sought 27 years, one of the longest sentences ever requested for a Russian woman (prompting Rossinskaya to defiantly tell the court to “make it 27 years and one day”). Her name was added to Russia’s national list of “extremists and terrorists,” alongside others critical of the invasion. The case is one of hundreds brought under treason and terrorism laws since Russia’s full-scale war began.
25.
Chris Brown pleaded not guilty in a London court Friday to charges stemming from an alleged 2023 nightclub assault on music producer Abe Diaw. Prosecutors say Brown and fellow musician Omololu Akinlolu attacked Diaw with a bottle, punching and kicking him in front of clubgoers in Mayfair. Brown, currently on a world tour, faces multiple charges including grievous bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon. He is set to return to court in July, with a trial scheduled for October 2026.
What do you think of these stories? Did any surprise you, shift your perspective, or feel especially relevant to life in the US? What other global headlines have you come across that haven’t gotten much play in American media? Drop your thoughts in the comments below — I’d love to hear what’s on your radar!
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