The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has recommended conditional European licensing for Casgevy, an advanced therapy drug for sickle cell anemia and beta thalassemia, which would be the first available treatment based on CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology. The treatment is indicated for patients over 12 years old with transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia and severe sickle cell anemia without a suitable donor for stem cell transplantation. The recommendation is based on two ongoing single-group trials showing promising results in reducing transfusion dependency and vaso-occlusive crises. Common side effects include low white blood cell counts and liver disease.

Authorities from the European Union, Brazil, Costa Rica, and Panama conducted 226 inspections as part of an international operation against environmental crimes, including illegal logging, smuggling, document fraud, money laundering, and tax evasion. The operation, which included Spain, resulted in the seizure of Burmese timber valued at 12,000 euros and two maritime containers of Brazilian wood valued at 67,000 euros. Europol highlighted the severe impact of illegal timber trade on deforestation and climate change, noting that it generates around 7 billion dollars annually. The operation was coordinated by Europol from The Hague and involved authorities from several EU countries as well as law enforcement from Brazil, Costa Rica, and Panama.

In 2021, Spain had one of the lowest homicide rates in Europe and the world, with 0.61 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants, well below the European average of 2.2. Spain's rate contrasts with France, which has the highest rate of violent deaths in Western Europe at 1.14 per 100,000 inhabitants. The lowest EU rates were in Malta, Slovenia, and Ireland. Russia led Eastern Europe with 6.8 homicides per 100,000. Globally, the Americas had the highest rate, followed by Africa, Oceania, Asia, and Europe. Despite Spain's low homicide rate, gender violence remains a structural problem, with at least 55 femicides this year. A study revealed at least 113 wrongful imprisonments in Europe since 1970, suggesting a need for more transparent discussions and reviews of wrongful convictions.

The article discusses the Netherlands' progressive stance on euthanasia, highlighting that it was the first country to legalize the practice in 2002. Euthanasia in the Netherlands is permitted under strict conditions, including unbearable suffering with no prospect of improvement, a voluntary and well-considered request, full patient information, and the support of at least two doctors. The article also touches on the ongoing debate about extending euthanasia rights to elderly individuals who feel their lives are complete, even without severe illness. Critics express concern over potential pressure on the elderly, while supporters emphasize personal freedom and the right to a dignified end. The Dutch government's research indicates a significant number of older adults might consider euthanasia under these circumstances. The Netherlands continues to explore the balance between protecting vulnerable individuals and respecting personal freedom.

The right-wing liberal VVD party, led by outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte, declined to be part of the future Dutch government after losing seats in the general elections. However, Dilan Yesilgöz, the VVD's lead candidate, offered tactical support to a center-right cabinet if Geert Wilders' far-right PVV agrees to a coalition. This could lead to a minority government, as the potential coalition with PVV, NSC, and BBB would have 64 seats out of 150 in the Parliament. The VVD's support would facilitate measures on immigration, the nitrogen crisis, nuclear energy, and housing, but diverges from Wilders on the EU, climate policy, and support for Ukraine. Party leaders met with the president of the Dutch Parliament, Vera Bergkamp, to discuss coalition possibilities.

Geert Wilders' far-right PVV party is exploring coalition possibilities following the Dutch elections, facing challenges due to its euro-skeptic and radical positions. A potential coalition with the PVV, NSC, and BBB would lack a majority, and while the right-liberal VVD declined to join, it offered parliamentary support for common points. Political analysts predict difficult and lengthy negotiations, with no clear outcome and the possibility of new elections within a year. The article also touches on the varying stances of Dutch parties towards the EU, with upcoming European Parliament elections in June.

Israeli forces opened fire on a group of Palestinians moving northward during a truce, resulting in two deaths. The incident occurred despite warnings not to move towards the area during the ceasefire. Pamphlets were dropped over southern Gaza, including Rafah near the Egyptian border, as calls among Palestinians to head north grew. Injuries were reported in the Gaza valley, with at least fifteen people hurt while moving from south to north. The injured were taken to Deir al Balah hospital. Sources suggest Israeli security forces used riot control measures to prevent population movements, following weeks of fighting between Hamas members and Israeli military.

The far-right PVV party in the Netherlands, led by Wilders, has moderated its tone, promising to adhere to the Constitution and prioritizing the interests of Dutch citizens over its previous focus on 'de-Islamization'. Despite skepticism from other parties, this shift contributed to a significant electoral victory, potentially leading to a right-wing coalition with VVD, NSC, and BBB. The centrist parties are cautious about Wilders' stance on the EU, climate policy, and support for Ukraine. Human rights organizations and opposition parties have expressed concern over PVV's victory, with Amnesty International labeling the party as racist and a threat to the rule of law. The Dutch Foundation for Refugees also criticized the potential for a government that excludes certain groups. Calls for protests against the election results have emerged from antifascist groups and left-wing parties.

The far-right Party for Freedom (PVV), led by Geert Wilders, has won a surprising victory in the Dutch elections, securing 37 out of 150 parliamentary seats. Wilders, who has promised to moderate his tone and adhere to the Constitution, is now in a position to negotiate a right-wing coalition government. Despite skepticism from other parties about his softened stance, particularly on de-Islamization measures, Wilders emphasizes prioritizing Dutch interests. The VVD and NSC have not ruled out a coalition with PVV, although they have expressed concerns about some of its policies. Human rights organizations have reacted with alarm to the election results, fearing the implications for minority groups and the rule of law.

The far-right Party for Freedom (PVV) led by Geert Wilders has won a surprising victory in the Dutch elections, securing 37 out of 150 parliamentary seats. Wilders, who has promised to moderate his tone and adhere to the constitution, is now in a position to negotiate a right-wing coalition government potentially including the VVD, NSC, and BBB parties. Despite his softened rhetoric, Wilders' electoral program remains controversial, advocating for a freeze on asylum and immigration, a ban on Islamic veils in government buildings, and a referendum on EU membership. Human rights organizations and opposition parties have expressed concern over Wilders' victory, with Amnesty International criticizing the PVV as a racist party that dismisses certain population groups and is willing to undermine the rule of law.

The far-right Party for Freedom (PVV), led by Geert Wilders, has won a surprising victory in the Dutch elections, securing 37 out of 150 parliamentary seats. Wilders has promised to moderate his tone and focus on Dutch interests over his party's hardline anti-Islamization agenda. Despite skepticism from other parties, a right-wing coalition including the liberal VVD, the Christian-democratic NSC, and the BBB party appears to be the most likely outcome, with a combined 88 seats. Human rights organizations have expressed concern over the PVV's victory, citing its potential to undermine the rule of law and constitutional rights.

The far-right Party for Freedom (PVV), led by Geert Wilders, has won a surprising victory in the Dutch elections, securing 37 out of 150 parliamentary seats. Wilders, who has promised to moderate his tone and adhere to the Constitution, is now in a position to negotiate the formation of a right-wing coalition government. Despite skepticism from other parties about his softened stance, Wilders emphasized prioritizing Dutch interests without focusing solely on anti-Islam measures. The VVD and NSC have not ruled out a coalition with PVV, and human rights organizations have expressed concern over the election results.

The far-right, led by Geert Wilders' Party for Freedom (PVV), has won a surprising victory in the Dutch elections, securing 37 out of 150 parliamentary seats. Wilders, who has softened his tone, promises to adhere to the Constitution and prioritize Dutch interests over his party's hardline stance on de-Islamization. Despite skepticism from other parties, a right-wing coalition including the liberal VVD, the Christian-democratic NSC, and the BBB party seems likely. Human rights organizations have expressed concern over Wilders' victory, citing his party's racist tendencies and potential threat to the rule of law and Constitution. Opposition parties and antifascist groups are calling for protests against the election results.

The far-right PVV party, led by Islamophobic and Eurosceptic Geert Wilders, has unexpectedly won the most seats in the Dutch elections, posing a challenge for government formation as many parties have ruled out negotiating with the far-right. Despite predictions placing PVV second to the right-wing VVD party, PVV secured 35 seats, VVD 24, and the left-wing bloc of PvdA and GroenLinks, led by former European Commission Vice-President Frans Timmermans, came in second with 25 seats. The Christian Democrat party Nuevo Contrato Social (NSC) entered parliament with 20 seats. Wilders, now in a position to lead negotiations, could potentially form a majority with VVD and NSC, but both have expressed reluctance. The left could attempt to form a government with VVD and NSC if Wilders fails. Muslim and Moroccan immigrant organizations in the Netherlands have expressed concern over the far-right's victory.

Frans Timmermans, former European executive vice-president, leads a left-wing electoral alliance in the Netherlands to counter the real threat of a far-right government. The social democratic PvdA and the green left GroenLinks have united under one list and electoral program, with Timmermans as their leader. Polls indicate a last-minute surge in votes for the left due to the far-right threat. The potential coalition could include VVD, PVV, NSC, and a minor partner, leaning towards far-right policies. Timmermans aims to gain enough seats to become an essential partner in a more centrist government, preventing a far-right leadership under Geert Wilders. The PvdA-GroenLinks platform includes policies on rent control, minimum wage increase, and climate change, differing significantly from the center-right on climate and migration policies.

Europol has launched its annual campaign to enlist the help of European citizens in locating the EU's most wanted fugitives, accused of serious crimes such as murder, human trafficking, violent robbery, and cybercrime. The European Network of Fugitive Active Search Teams (ENFAST) has updated its list of criminals to raise public awareness. The campaign is hosted at www.eumostwanted.eu, featuring over 50 profiles. Europol's Executive Director, Catherine de Bolle, emphasized the importance of EU collaboration and citizen participation in tracking down fugitives. Since the campaign's inception in 2016, 146 out of 408 fugitives listed have been arrested, with 50 arrests directly resulting from the online profiles. The campaign will also be distributed on social media in all EU languages to reach the widest audience.

Europol and the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) report that the cannabis market in Europe is valued at at least 11.4 billion euros annually, with an estimated 22.6 million European adults consuming the substance last year. Record seizures in the EU indicate local cultivation, with some products smuggled from North America. Morocco remains the main resin supplier, but EU production may be rising. The trade involves cooperative criminal networks, increasingly resorting to extreme violence and funding other illegal activities. Environmental impacts from illicit production are significant, with high water and energy use and chemical pollution. Cannabis potency has significantly increased, raising health concerns.

Ladislav Hamran, president of Eurojust, emphasized that the terrorist threat in Europe remains significant, as evidenced by recent attacks in Belgium and France. He highlighted the importance of close coordination and early information sharing between European countries in combating terrorism. With the modification of Eurojust's regulation, judicial authorities will now have a stronger legal basis to share a broader range of information on terrorism cases. The European Judicial Register on Terrorism (CTR), managed by Eurojust since September 2019, will enhance the detection of links between terrorism cases and connections with other serious crimes, as well as establish ties between suspects and terrorist networks across the EU. The CTR was introduced following the Paris and Saint-Denis terrorist attacks in November 2015, and to date, 915 terrorism cases have been registered in the agency's databases. Eurojust also hosts liaison prosecutors from non-EU countries, including Albania, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Switzerland, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam concludes its 50th-anniversary celebration with an exhibition featuring the works of Vincent van Gogh and French Neo-Impressionists Paul Signac, Georges Seurat, Emile Bernard, and Charles Angrand, who were inspired by the landscapes around Asnières, a suburb of Paris. The exhibition, which includes 75 works, some from private collections and unseen in public for a long time, showcases the artists' modern art styles and techniques, their commonalities, and their individual paths after their time in Asnières. It also includes van Gogh's triptychs and other significant works, reflecting the life and contrasts of the era along the Seine.