Europe Vatican City Guy Consolmagno, the director of the Vatican Observatory, has published a new book entitled A Jesuit’s Guide to the Stars; the book combines personal reflection with a detailed history of Jesuit engagement with astronomy
Europe Romania Romania maintains its forecast to double electricity production by 2032 and become a major energy exporter in the region, Energy Minister Sebastian Burduja stated
Europe Moldova The tree planting action, initially scheduled for 1 March, has been postponed to 15 March 2025 due to the current weather conditions and excessive cold
Europe Montenegro The Montenegrin parliament voted to open an investigation and form a commission of enquiry into the role of state authorities in the politically motivated murders and attacks on journalists since the 1990s
Europe Austria After more than 40 years, the deposit for reusable glass bottles has been increased earlier this month from 9 cents (previously 1,2 Schillings) to 20 cents; brewery products are the most commonly sold in glass bottles
Europe Latvia 111 people died in road accidents in Latvia in 2024, the lowest number since the country regained independence in 1991, according to information gathered by the State Police
Europe Luxembourg 265 falsified sickness certificates were filed last year to Luxembourg's health insurance fund, said the Minister of Health
Europe Malta A total of 45 concerts and around 700 artists will benefit this year from a €1 million fund for Rock'N Malta
Europe Norway Almost 90% of all new car sales in Norway involved electric or hybrid cars last year, and the numbers continued to grow in the new year
Europe Belarus Belarusian dairy processors exported six million tonnes of milk and dairy products in 2024, reaching 69 countries
Europe Czech Republic The country has proposed to the European Commission that emission reduction targets for new passenger cars be assessed over five years instead of annually; penalties for non-compliance would also only be imposed after 2029
Europe Finland In the first months of 2025, the number of bankruptcies filed in Finland soared; in the third week of the year, 128 companies filed for bankruptcy, the highest weekly figure of the decade
Europe Iceland The draft of a new bill by the Ministry of Housing and Social Affairs would make significant extensions to the Icelandic parental leave system, particularly with regard to twin births or illnesses resulting from childbirth