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The Nordic Times

Polaris of Enlightenment

The Nordic Times

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https://nordictimes.com/europe/portugal-hit-by-widespread-fires/

Europe

Portugal hit by widespread fires

Published September 20, 2024 – By Editorial staff
1 minute read
Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

Seven people have reportedly died in the more than 100 fires raging in Portugal. Prime Minister Luís Montenegro says many of the fires are arson.

The fires have spread from different parts of the country over the past week, with the worst south of the city of Porto in northern Portugal. On Tuesday, the prime minister declared a state of emergency in the worst affected areas. More than 5,000 firefighters are helping to put out the fires, and the EU has also sent eight firefighting planes.

About 15,000 hectares have burned so far and more than 200,000 people are at risk, NPR reported. Seven people have died in the fires, including three firefighters, and about 50 people have been injured so far. Homes and other buildings have also been destroyed.

The fires have been described as the worst in many years in the country, and 14 people were arrested this week on suspicion of starting some of the fires. Prime Minister Luis Montenegro on Tuesday promised tough "repressive action" against such crimes "committed in the name of particular interests", according to Reuters.

It is unclear how firefighting efforts are progressing in Portugal, but the fires are reportedly not yet under control.

Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

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https://nordictimes.com/europe/european-parliament-calls-for-age-limits-on-social-media/

Europe

European Parliament calls for age limits on social media

Published today 10:00 am – By Editorial staff
2 minute read
Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

A resolution on age limits for social media has been adopted by the European Parliament with the aim of protecting children and young people. However, the decision is not binding but rather a call for member states to take action.

According to the resolution, children must be at least 13 years old to use social media, video-sharing platforms like YouTube, and so-called "AI companions". Parental consent should be required up to the age of 16. The Parliament is urging the European Commission and member states to advance the issue.

Swedish MEP Adnan Dibrani (Social Democrats) welcomes the decision.

— Our children must always come before tech giants and their profits and algorithms, he told publicly funded broadcaster SVT.

However, MEP Charlie Weimers (Sweden Democrats) voted against it. He sees a risk of political surveillance and warns that European citizens could be forced to authenticate themselves with BankID just to comment on posts online.

Questions remain about how the age limit would be practically implemented. Discussions are ongoing about which identification tools could be used without compromising the protection of personal data.

Denmark well on its way

Australia will become the first country in the world in December to introduce legislated age limits for social media. The responsibility for enforcing the limit lies with the platforms, which risk fines if they fail to comply with the rules.

In October, the Danish government also presented a proposal to ban social media for all children under 15, with Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen strongly pointing to screens creating both addiction and poor mental health among young people.

A similar proposal has also been put forward in Norway.

Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/europe/eu-wants-to-increase-swedens-membership-fee-by-60-percent/

Europe

EU wants to increase Sweden’s membership fee by 60 percent

The globalist agenda

Published November 19, 2025 – By Editorial staff
1 minute read
Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

The European Commission's budget proposal threatens to make Sweden's EU membership fee 60 percent more expensive. Swedish EU Minister Jessica Rosencrantz (M) calls the proposal "unrealistic".

The Commission's seven-year budget plan for 2028–2034 amounts to nearly €2,000 billion. Sweden's current fee is approximately €4 billion per year.

During Tuesday's ministerial meeting in Brussels, Jessica Rosencrantz, representing Sweden's center-right Moderate Party, distanced herself from the plans.

— For Sweden, this means at least a 60 percent increase in fees. That is not realistic and many other countries face similar challenges, she told Swedish public radio.

Sweden, together with Austria, gathered several net contributors for breakfast before the meeting – countries that pay more into the EU budget than they receive back in support. Rosencrantz notes there is shared concern about how large the increases could be.

But unity was not complete. French Minister Benjamin Haddad made clear that Paris wants a larger budget, not least to secure agricultural subsidies.

— The EU needs more own resources, Haddad stated.

He was referring to a system where money goes directly to Brussels without passing through national parliaments – something Sweden rejects.

The budget issue will be discussed at the summit in December, but a final decision is not expected until 2027.

Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/europe/france-young-women-suspected-of-planning-terror-attack/

Europe

France: Young women suspected of planning terror attack

The Islamization of Europe

Published November 10, 2025 – By Editorial staff
The three arrested young women describe themselves as Salafists and all wear niqab. NOTE: Archive image - the women in the picture have no connection to the article.
2 minute read
Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

Three young women have been arrested in France suspected of planning a jihadist terror attack in Paris. The arrests come as France commemorates the 10th anniversary of the 2015 terror attacks.

The young women, aged 18, 19 and 21, were arrested in Lyon, Villeurbanne and Vierzon. They are suspected of planning a jihadist terror attack targeting a bar or concert venue in Paris.

According to French media and investigative sources, they had been exchanging messages about a violent attack in the French capital for several weeks. The three suspects were arrested as part of an investigation that began this summer.

One of the women, who is reportedly considered the leader and most radicalized, was first discovered through another person already under surveillance by intelligence services.

Her messages and contacts with the two other women have been under close surveillance since mid-summer.

The investigation is being led by France's National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor's Office (PNAT).

Investigation and evidence

According to the investigation, the main suspect discussed topics including the price of a Kalashnikov-type automatic rifle and the manufacture of explosive belts. During a search, a note about preparations for a jihadist attack was also found.

The two other suspects have different backgrounds: one has mobility impairments and has lived in foster care, while the youngest is described as "naive" in some of her messages.

According to the investigation, the women met physically at least once, which strengthens suspicions that the group intended to carry out an attack.

During questioning, one of the women admitted that she may have been radicalized, but claims she has gradually abandoned jihadist ideology. All deny planning an attack.

According to French authorities, this is the sixth planned terrorist attack thwarted in France since the beginning of 2025.

Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/europe/shein-sold-sex-dolls-with-childlike-appearance-faces-ban-threat-in-france/

Europe

Shein sold sex dolls with childlike appearance – faces ban threat in France

Published November 4, 2025 – By Editorial staff
The sex dolls were marketed as "male masturbation toys" with "erotic bodies" and were depicted holding teddy bears.
2 minute read
Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

Chinese e-commerce giant Shein has sold sex dolls with childlike appearance on its platform. Now the company faces a potential ban in France and the finance minister is demanding a legal investigation.

The Chinese e-commerce giant has plans to open its first physical store in the world on November 5 in Paris, France. The company, known for selling so-called ultra-fast fashion, has faced criticism in France for undeclared microplastics in products and for working conditions in its factories.

Over the weekend, however, new problems emerged for the fast-fashion giant when it was revealed that there was more than fast fashion in their product range – the company was also selling sex dolls.

The dolls, approximately 80 centimeters long, have the features and body shape of a small girl and hold teddy bears in their arms. The product description contained, according to French newspaper Le Monde, sexually explicit language and described the items as "male masturbation toys" with "erotic body".

"Horrible"

After the French anti-fraud authority DGCCRF drew attention to the dolls, they were removed from sale and Shein stated that it has initiated an internal investigation into the matter.

But French Finance Minister Roland Lescure was not satisfied with that. On Monday, he threatened to ban the company from the French market.

— For terrorist acts, drug trafficking and child pornographic objects, the government has the right to request that access to the French market be prohibited, he said according to French BFMTV and continued:

— These horrible things are illegal. There will be a legal investigation.

Since the establishment of the Paris store became known, several brands have withdrawn their products from the department store in protest. In addition to Paris, the fast-fashion giant plans to open five more stores in France during November.

Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com