Roundup

SPAIN

Plan provides benefits of new energy for all

Spain's government has unveiled its Social Climate Plan, which will see almost 9 billion euros ($10.48 billion) of public money spent on bringing the benefits of renewable energy to all. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said "the energy revolution cannot be allowed to benefit only those who can afford to change their car, install solar panels on their roofs, or refurbish their homes without public support … no one has to choose between making it to the end of the month or the end of the century". Spain's energy transition is of interest to China. Its involvement in building an electric vehicle battery factory in northeastern Spain was described by China's Ambassador to Spain Yao Jing as "one of the biggest Chinese investments Europe has ever seen".

DENMARK

Frederiksen recalled for coalition talks

Denmark's caretaker Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has again been asked to lead negotiations to form a government, after two rounds of failed coalition talks following inconclusive elections in March. Frederiksen was reappointed by Denmark's King Frederik X on Saturday, after Deputy Prime Minister Troels Lund Poulsen, of the Venstre party, announced on Friday that talks had broken down. After failing to form a new coalition in the first round of talks, Frederiksen handed the mandate to Poulsen on May 8. Negotiations have remained deadlocked for more than 60 days, with tensions involving Greenland and the United States adding pressure.

SWEDEN

Kristersson centers re-election on IVF

Sweden's prime minister has made IVF treatment key to his September re-election bid, aiming to win over female voters amid a record-low birthrate. Ulf Kristersson's center-right coalition recently increased the number of state-funded IVF attempts for first-time parents from three to six. Official figures show Sweden's fertility rate fell to 1.42 last year, the lowest since records began in 1749. Kristersson said: "It is a level we have never had in Sweden. And that got me thinking. It could be because lots of people don't want to have children, but I am quite sure that it is also because quite a lot of people never get those children that they really would like to have."

UNITED KINGDOM

More temperature records ahead globally

Global average temperatures are likely to continue at or near record levels in the next five years. Additionally, Arctic temperature anomalies are expected to continue to be higher than the global mean, according to a new report from the World Meteorological Organization, produced by the UK's Met Office. Annual global mean near-surface temperatures during 2026-30 are predicted to range between 1.3 C and 1.9 C above the 1850-1900 average pre-industrial levels.

One in five teenagers making AI girlfriends

New research has revealed that one in five boys aged between 12 and 16 is either in or knows of a boy their age who is in a romantic relationship with an AI companion. The report carried out by men's organization Male Allies UK spoke with more than 1,000 boys from the age groups in 37 schools in the UK. The findings make stark reading: eight in 10 boys have had a conversation with a chatbot, with 43 percent saying they talk to bots so they can ask questions without feeling embarrassed.

ITALY

Court rules tap water 'not a right' for diners

Italy's Supreme Court has rejected a case brought by a guest at a hotel in the Dolomites mountain range seeking damages of 2,700 euros ($3,142) for emotional distress over being given bottled rather than tap water to drink. The terms of her reservation included an evening meal, but not drinks, and when she asked for tap water, she was instead brought a bottle. She claimed tap water should be as basic an expectation in a hotel as a bed, but judges threw out the case, saying venues were not obliged to serve it and should make their own decision.