The Russian State Duma has adopted in the third and final reading a law banning Russian citizens and legal entities from involvement in the work of “undesirable organisations” around the world. The legislation also allows for any foreign or international NGO to be designated as “undesirable,” if it helped transfer money or other assets to an organization that is already on this blacklist.

Source: Meduza

Slovenia has passed a new law which means rape is now defined as sex without consent in a move campaigners hailed as a “historic victory” for women. The country’s criminal code will no longer consider coercion, the use or threat of force, or not being able to defend oneself as the only conditions for an assault to be deemed as rape.

Source: Independent

Hungary's ruling nationalist party, Fidesz, has submitted legislation to ban content it sees as promoting homosexuality and gender change to minors. The draft law would ban LGBT literature for under-18s, including educational material, and advertisements deemed to be promoting gay rights. Several human rights groups denounced it, saying it was similar to Russian restrictions on LGBT activities.

Source: BBC

The European Commission launched legal proceedings against Germany over a controversial ruling at the country's constitutional court, arguing that "the integrity" of EU law was at stake. The underlying dispute broke out last year when the German constitutional court ruled that the European Central Bank’s 2015 bond-buying program would be illegal under German law unless the central bank could prove the purchases were justified.

Source: Politico

Large parts of Greece shut down on Thursday as workers across the country joined a general strike to protest a proposed labor reform. Workers' organisations have called for rejection of a controversial bill that they fear will dismantle the eight-hour work day. Demonstrations are planned across the country.

Source: DW