Europe Germany Black and Muslim people are highly discriminated against on the real estate market in Germany; according to a new study, even having a foreign-sounding name can lead to fewer apartment viewings
Europe Bulgaria PM Rosen Zhelyazkov has resigned after a vote of no confidence in parliament, following a series of mass street protests first against 2026 controversial budget, then scrapped, and lately against alleged corruption of minority centre-right government
Europe North Macedonia Activists have been participating in the annual, UN-backed 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign; this year there has been more urgency following four femicides in the small North Macedonia, largerly debated
Europe Ukraine Deputy PM Taras Kachka visited Israel, the highest official since 2022; press reports he was satisfied with bilateral ties: with a change in Jerusalem’s stance on the war with Russia, Ukraine is looking to Israel as a model for navigating US pressure
Europe Netherlands Canadian company Cronos has acquired for €57,5 million Canadelaar, the largest legal cannabis producer in the Netherlands, supplying government’s regulated cannabis experiment; it is the first time a foreign investor has taken over a Dutch cannabis grower
Europe Norway Only one film won more Golden Globe nominations this week than the popular and critically acclaimed Norwegian film Sentimental Value; its eight nominations set a record in Norway, and the film’s Norwegian star was thrilled.
Europe Poland Sting will headline TVP’s flagship New Year’s Eve show in Katowice this year; the Polish public broadcaster said the 74-year-old former frontman of The Police will perform a live set at 7:50 p.m. at the Spodek Arena alongside notable Polish artists
Europe Romania Water supply has been restored in Prahova County's all 13 towns and communes that had been left without drinking water for over a week due to problems at the Paltinu Dam; however, water may only be used for hygiene purposes until tests are completed
Europe Vatican City The Institution for Works of Religion IOR released its first Sustainability and ESG Report, aligning with the highest international reporting principles for financial institutions and moving to an economic model consistent with Catholic ethical principles
Europe Portugal Local businessman reportedly diverted tens of millions of euros from ‘golden visa' investors, selling apartments that didn't exist and promising sky-high return; among those defrauded is a company owned by Howard Lutnik, US secretary of state for commerce
Europe Slovenia Cyclist Tadej Pogačar won the men's Velo d'Or for the third time in his career after claiming a fourth Tour de France title this summer; he also received the Eddy Merckx award for the top classics rider winning three of the sport's five Monuments in 2025
Europe Switzerland A research team has discovered a new type of wave in Lake Geneva: the V2 Kelvin wave. It meanders underwater along the shore and influences the distribution of pollutants and nutrients in the lake
Europe Sweden 54 children under 15 have been suspected of bombings in Jan-Nov 2025, tripled compared to 2024; according to the Swedish Prosecution Authority, in 2024, the figure was 21, in 2023 17 and before only one child per year, a worrying development