Spain awards over 5GW of renewable energy projects
The government said it was forced to apply a clause offering more than the original 3GW because of high demand.
Europe
More than 30,000 Muslims gather to condemn Isis at largest Islamic convention in U.K.
The Jalsa Salana event, held on a 200-acre farm in Hampshire, saw tens of thousands of Ahmadi Muslims come together to condemn “misinterpretations of Islam” and denounce extremism and terrorism.
U.K. to ban new diesel and petrol vehicles from 2040
The government is set to announce the ban of new diesel and petrol cars and vans from 2040 onwards as part of the Clean Air Strategy.
Parliament in Germany approves same-sex marriage
Lawmakers in Germany voted on Friday to allow same-sex marriage after a brisk but emotional debate in Parliament, setting the stage for the country to join more than a dozen European nations including Ireland, France and Spain in legalizing such unions.
France to ban all new oil and gas exploration licenses
France plans to terminate the granting oil and gas exploration licenses at home and in overseas territories, as the country aims to increase the share of renewables in the nation’s energy mix.
Europe mostly ends mobile roaming fees
Europeans traveling through the 28 Member State bloc are now able to use their mobile devices more freely, thanks to a top level abolition of mobile roaming charges across the region.
Leo Varadkar elected as Ireland’s first gay prime minister
Leo Varadkar was elected Irish Prime Minister on Wednesday, making the 38-year-old son of an Indian immigrant the first gay premier of the once-staunchly Catholic country and the youngest person to hold the office.
Social media giants making progress on illegal hate speech takedowns in Europe
The European Commission is trumpeting what it dubs “significant progress” on illegal hate speech takedowns by Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Microsoft vs their performance six months prior.
Church of Scotland apologizes for its historical discrimination against lesbian and gay people
The Kirk’s general assembly, meeting in Edinburgh, instructed officials to consider changes to church law that would allow ministers to preside over same-sex-marriage ceremonies.
Denmark’s DONG Energy divests from fossil fuels in favour of renewables
Danish wind energy giant DONG Energy announced its plans to divest its upstream oil and gas business for $1.05 billion.