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Portugal’s Catholic Church to Compensate Abuse Victims with $1.85 Million

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Portugal’s Catholic Church has announced it will pay a total of 1.6 million euros ($1.85 million) in compensation to 57 victims of sexual abuse by clergy, acknowledging decades of harm caused to children and vulnerable individuals. The decision follows findings by a Church-funded commission in 2023 that revealed at least 4,815 people were abused by members of the clergy in Portugal over the past 70 years.

The Portuguese Bishops’ Conference stated that financial compensation cannot undo the damage caused but serves as a step toward accountability and apology for the suffering endured by victims. The Church emphasized its commitment to addressing past abuses and supporting those affected.

A total of 95 people applied for compensation, with 67 deemed eligible and 57 claims already approved, ranging from 9,000 to 45,000 euros per person. Nine additional claims remain under review as authorities finalize compensation amounts and continue the process.

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Finland Supreme Court Fines MP Over Remarks on Homosexuality

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Finland’s Supreme Court has fined Member of Parliament Paivi Rasanen for describing homosexuality as a “developmental disorder,” in a landmark ruling that has intensified debate over free speech and minority rights. The court found her guilty of incitement against a group based on statements made in a 2019 social media post and later on her website.

The court ruled that Rasanen’s claims contradicted established medical understanding and that she should have recognised the potential harm of her statements. She was ordered to pay a fine of 1,800 euros. The decision was closely contested, with a 3–2 vote, overturning earlier rulings by lower courts that had acquitted her.

Rasanen, who has served in parliament since 1995, said she was shocked by the verdict and is considering appealing to the European Court of Human Rights. The case has drawn international attention, with support from conservative groups and criticism from others, while also prompting renewed calls within Finland for changes to laws governing freedom of speech and incitement.

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UN Probe: Russia’s Deportation of Ukrainian Children a Crime Against Humanity

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A United Nations investigation has concluded that the deportation and transfer of Ukrainian children by Russian authorities since the 2022 invasion amounts to crimes against humanity. The report, prepared by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, states that children have been specifically targeted, causing severe and lasting harm to their lives and future. The findings will be presented to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva later this week.

The inquiry examined 1,205 cases involving children from five Ukrainian regions and found that around 80% of them have not yet returned home. Ukrainian officials estimate that more than 19,500 children have been illegally deported or forcibly displaced to Russia and Belarus, actions they say violate the Geneva Conventions.

The report says the deportations followed a widespread and systematic pattern across Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine. It also cited research indicating that Russia expanded forced re-education programs for deported children. Russia denies the allegations, stating that the children were voluntarily evacuated from war zones for their safety.

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Russian Comedian Jailed for Nearly Six Years Over Joke About War Veteran

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A Russian court has sentenced stand-up comedian Artemy Ostanin to nearly six years in prison for inciting hatred after a joke he made about a war veteran sparked public outrage. Ostanin was handed a jail term of five years and nine months along with a fine of 300,000 roubles, a Reuters reporter said, in one of the latest cases targeting speech deemed offensive to the military during Russia’s war in Ukraine.

The conviction stemmed from a March 2025 performance in which Ostanin joked about a war veteran who had lost his legs to a mine and was using a skateboard to get around, as well as referring to a wheelchair in derogatory terms. A video of the performance later went viral on Telegram after being shared by nationalist groups and military bloggers, who accused the comedian of mocking veterans fighting for the country.

Ostanin was also found guilty of offending the feelings of Christians over a separate joke about Jesus, drawing criticism from Orthodox nationalist organisations. After facing mounting backlash, he attempted to flee Russia but was arrested in Belarus and returned to Moscow to stand trial. Speaking in court after the verdict, Ostanin said he did not accept the ruling, calling the punishment excessive.

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EU Blacklists Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Over Protest Crackdown

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The European Union has added Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to its list of terrorist organisations, citing the group’s central role in a deadly crackdown on anti-government protests. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the move was a response to widespread repression, placing the IRGC alongside groups such as al-Qaeda and Islamic State. Iran condemned the decision, calling it a “strategic mistake”, while human rights groups say thousands of protesters were killed during unrest in December and January.

France, which had previously been cautious over the move due to concerns about severing diplomatic ties with Tehran, backed the decision this week, alongside Italy and other EU states. The bloc also imposed new sanctions on six Iranian entities and 15 senior officials accused of involvement in violent repression, including Iran’s interior minister and senior judicial figures. Those listed face travel bans and asset freezes under EU rules.

The decision comes amid rising tensions between Iran and the West, as the US increases its military presence in the region and pushes Tehran to negotiate over its nuclear programme. US President Donald Trump said he hoped to avoid military action but warned Iran to engage in talks, while Iranian officials said their forces were ready to respond to any aggression. Independent groups estimate the death toll from the protests could exceed 20,000, though Iran disputes those figures.

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Denmark Pushes Tougher Deportation Laws, Risking Clash With European Rights Court

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Denmark’s government said on Friday it will introduce tougher deportation laws aimed at making it easier to expel foreign nationals, including criminals, even if the move risks conflict with the European Court of Human Rights. The announcement comes amid a broader hardening of attitudes across Europe toward migration and asylum, with several governments expressing frustration over court rulings that have blocked deportations.

Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said her coalition government would move ahead without waiting for changes in how the European Convention on Human Rights is interpreted, arguing that Denmark’s approach reflects the intent of many countries signed up to the convention. Facing mounting pressure from nationalist and anti-immigration parties ahead of an election due by October, Frederiksen acknowledged the reforms could prompt legal challenges.

The proposed measures, expected to take effect from May if approved, include stricter deportation rules for foreign nationals convicted of serious crimes, electronic tagging for migrants who breach reporting requirements, and the appointment of a deportation envoy. Denmark also plans to reopen its embassy in Syria, review refugee permits more aggressively, and explore establishing an EU reception centre outside the bloc, reinforcing the country’s long-standing tough stance on immigration.

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Spain to Grant Legal Status to 500,000 Undocumented Migrants

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Spain’s government has unveiled a draft decree to provide legal status to hundreds of thousands of undocumented migrants, in a bid to accelerate integration and support key economic sectors. The measure targets those who have lived in the country for at least five months by the end of 2025 and have no criminal record, as well as asylum applicants. The permit will initially be valid for one year, extendable up to five years for children, and could lead to citizenship after 10 years—or sooner for Latin American nationals and refugees.

The decree is expected to benefit around 500,000 people, primarily from Latin America, strengthening Spain’s approach to migration based on human rights, social cohesion, and economic growth. Migration Minister Elma Saiz emphasized that Spain’s openness to migrants has helped fuel employment in sectors such as hospitality and care, contributing to lower unemployment and robust economic performance relative to other European nations.

While the decree can be enacted by the cabinet without parliamentary approval, it faces potential political opposition. Conservative leader Alberto Nuñez Feijoo has pledged to reverse the policy if his party wins the next election. The initiative follows citizen-backed campaigns supported by hundreds of rights groups and the Catholic Church, aimed at regularizing undocumented migrants who now account for a significant portion of Spain’s non-EU population.

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Italy Calls on Citizens to Leave Iran Amid Rising Security Risks

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Italy has renewed a strong appeal urging its citizens to leave Iran due to growing security concerns, the foreign ministry said on Wednesday. Around 600 Italians are currently in Iran, most of them based in Tehran, according to the ministry, which said the warning reflects the deteriorating situation in the country.

The appeal comes as Iran’s leadership struggles to contain its most serious domestic unrest since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, amid rising international tensions. Tehran has sought to deter repeated threats of U.S. intervention voiced by President Donald Trump in support of anti-government protesters, adding to regional instability.

Italy’s foreign ministry also said precautionary measures were being taken to protect more than 900 Italian military personnel deployed across the region, including about 500 in Iraq and 400 in Kuwait. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani chaired a high-level meeting with diplomats, defence officials and intelligence representatives, reaffirming Italy’s condemnation of the violent repression of protests in Iran and what it described as serious human rights violations.

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Pope Leo Warns of Rising ‘Zeal for War’ in Blunt Vatican Address

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Pope Leo on Friday delivered a sharply worded annual foreign policy speech at the Vatican, condemning the growing use of military force to achieve diplomatic goals and warning that global conflicts are becoming increasingly normalized. Addressing ambassadors from 184 countries, the first U.S.-born pope said international institutions were failing to restrain wars, as diplomacy based on dialogue was being replaced by diplomacy rooted in force.

Referring to recent events in Venezuela, including the capture of President Nicolas Maduro by U.S. forces, Leo urged governments to “respect the will” of the Venezuelan people and safeguard their human and civil rights. He stressed that protecting democratic choice and basic freedoms must remain central to international engagement, particularly in politically fragile nations.

In a notably fiery tone, Leo also criticized abortion, euthanasia and surrogate births, while warning that freedom of expression was shrinking in Western societies. He cautioned against what he called an emerging “Orwellian-style language” that excludes dissenting views under the guise of inclusivity, and highlighted what he described as subtle religious discrimination against Christians in Europe and the Americas.

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Faroe Islands Ends Decades-Old Abortion Ban with Historic Vote

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The Faroe Islands has voted to legalise abortion up to the 12th week of pregnancy, ending one of Europe’s most restrictive abortion laws. The new legislation, passed in a tight 17–16 vote after intense debate, replaces rules dating back to 1956 that allowed abortions only in exceptional circumstances such as rape, incest, serious fetal abnormalities or risks to the woman’s health.

Supporters of the reform, including MP Ingilín Didriksen Strømm, described the decision as historic, saying it finally ensures women’s autonomy and access to safe healthcare. Human rights groups such as Amnesty International also welcomed the change, noting that many Faroese women previously had to travel to Denmark—where abortion is legal up to 18 weeks—for the procedure due to strict local laws and social stigma.

While pro-choice advocates celebrated what they call a major step forward, conservative opponents argued that fetal rights must be protected and suggested efforts may be made to reverse the law in the future. The reform marks a significant cultural shift for the small, traditionally conservative archipelago of 56,000 people, where past attempts to liberalise abortion policy have repeatedly failed.

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