Government & Politics

Germany: Solingen knife attack trial set to begin The trial of a Syrian man accused of killing three people in a knife attack in the western city of Solingen last August has brought Germany's asylum policies and security loopholes into focus.

(Deutsche Welle) The man accused of a mass stabbing at a festival in the western German city of Solingen is due to face court in the North Rhine-Westphalia capital of Dusseldorf. Federal prosecutors have charged Syrian Issa Al H. with three counts […]

Academics & Education

From Spain to Sweden: European countries diverge on religious symbols in public office As Berlin reconsiders its controversial secularism policy, Europe continues to debate the limits of religious expression in public life.

(Euronews) In the heart of Germany’s capital, a heated political debate has reignited over the boundaries of religious freedom in the public sphere. The Bundestag’s Green Party group has submitted a motion to abolish Berlin’s Neutrality Act (“Neutralitätsgesetz”), a law that prohibits […]

Academics & Education

Hundreds of schools hit by Islamist bomb scare in anti-migration Hungary PM Orbán: 'If we had allowed migrants in, we would not be facing threats, but acts of terrorism.'

(European Conservative) Bomb threats targeting 292 schools across Hungary caused widespread evacuations and the cancellation of classes on Thursday, January 23rd. Police conducted thorough searches of the affected institutions, but no explosive devices were found, allowing pupils to return to school on […]

Government & Politics

Europe turning blind eye to Hamas and Hezbollah networks in its territory, experts say Analysts say terror groups operate largely unchecked, running charities, lobbying public opinion and recruiting supporters — and the legal means to stop them are scant

(Times of Israel) A stash of weapons was found hidden under a pine tree in southern Bulgaria last week. The arms were linked to four suspected Hamas members arrested in Germany and the Netherlands in December on suspicion of preparing an attack […]

Legal

Bulgarian official admitted Hezbollah involvement in bus bombing A Bulgarian prosecutor provided evidence to the court handling Hezbollah’s involvement in the Burgas bus bombing.

(Jerusalem Post) A Bulgarian prosecutor provided detailed evidence to the Bulgarian court handling Hezbollah’s involvement in the 2012 Burgas bus bombing which killed five Israelis and their Bulgarian-Muslim bus driver, but the court refused to accept it, the Jerusalem Post has learned. […]