Europe France The parliamentary leader of the far-right Rassemblement National party called for new elections next year, just a few months after the snap elections that plunged the country into a political stalemate
Europe United Kingdom Ormiston academies trust, a 35.000-pupil academy chain that runs 44 state schools, will be the first in England to ditch phones, with eight secondary schools adopting new policies this term and others to follow
Europe Portugal Korean Air has launched flights between Lisbon and Seoul Incheon, becoming the second direct connection from Eastern Asia to Portugal; first route, linking Hangzhou to Lisbon via Beijing, was opened in 2017
Europe Slovakia Fire and rescue corps and volunteer fire brigades from the towns and villages of the Zahorie area in western Slovakia built a mobile flood barrier on the bridge over the Morava river between the Slovak town of Holic and the Czech town of Hodonin
Europe Lithuania While the overall number of suicides in Lithuania is decreasing and more young people are seeking emotional help, the problem persists among citizens over 60, among whom suicide remains a serious problem
Europe Austria Wien Energie, Vienna's state-owned heat and gas supplier, will avoid buying Russian gas and ensure that it is not sold to its customers from 2025 onwards
Europe Kosovo The Student Centre has opened its doors to its new residents and this year it is expected that around 4000 students will be admitted into the dormitories of the Student Centre
Europe Liechtenstein The Liechtenstein Health Insurance Association predicts an increase in health insurance premiums but says that the increase will be lower than in the previous year
Europe Andorra The government will contribute 5 million for the construction of affordable rental flats for the over-65s and will be the patron of the Laurus Foundation, which will manage the project
Europe Luxembourg Banks offering state-guaranteed higher education loans to Luxembourg students must stay below a 2% interest cap, the government said
Europe Malta Recent regulations limiting the number of pet boarding houses will likely lead to a significant increase in fees, animal rights activists and pet sitters have warned, up to a 40% increase in daily fees
Europe Netherlands A consortium of municipalities, private investors and industry organisations has warned that if the Council of Ministers applies all measures planned for art and culture, i.e. VAT from 9% to 21%, the sector will lose EUR 350 million per year
Europe Norway The number of Norwegians on sick leave has reached its highest level in 15 years, according to new data from state statistics office; politicians and other state officials complain about the resulting lack of productivity and costs to the welfare state