Europe Finland Kruunuvuori Bridge in Helsinki opened to pedestrians and cyclists: it is the first public use of the structure that city leaders say will change daily travel between Laajasalo and inner city; crowds of visitors filled the full length of the new crossing
Europe Poland Mining firm KGHM was named the world’s second-largest silver producer with 1.347 tonnes of metal in 2025 according to World Silver Survey's ranking; tracking global markets for 36 years, it placed state-controlled KGHM second only to Mexico’s Fresnillo
Europe Germany Marie-Louise Eta became the first woman to coach a match in the top five European men's leagues: her Union Berlin's defeat 2-1 gave way to misogynistic reaction online, condemned by German Football Association as contrary to values of fairness, equality
Europe Greece To protect the Mediterranean monk seal a marine area has been officially established in Gyaros, northwest of Syros in Northern Cyclades; a key habitat for the endangered mammal, it hosts one of its largest populations
Europe Ireland 1926 census records have been released; searchable online for the first time, they show Ireland 100 years ago, detailing ages, occupations, status (including "orphanhood"), religions and genders of citizens of newly established Irish Free State
Europe Sweden Proceeds from fraud cases have decreased, totaling under SEK 5,7 billion (€528million) in 2025, slightly lower than in 2024 and definitely below 2023 peak thanks to improved collaboration with banks and the police's increased focus on crime prevention
Europe Italy 102.000 requests have been received by helpline Telefono Amico in 2025: loneliness, psychological distress, and existential issues are the problems that drive people to call; the main goal for 2026 is to offer 24/7 service, now available 15 hours a day
Europe North Macedonia A wave of new drug seizures cast further doubt over North Macedonia’s ability to keep its medicinal cannabis industry in check
Europe Montenegro Overcrowding at Montenegro’s main psychiatric hospital is under public scrutiny, as some patients are forced to sleep on mattresses on the floor, children are treated alongside adults, and forensic patients are confined far longer than necessary
Europe Netherlands Regular inspection of technical installations to help prevent barn fires will be introduced as 'mandatory' probably starting this autumn, or as soon as feasibility research is completed and ongoing pilot project proven functional
Europe Spain Spanish cinema will make history at this year’s Cannes Film Festival with three films competing for the Palme d’Or for the first time since the prize was created in 1955, confirming Spain's growing influence on the global stage
Europe Hungary Opposition Tisza movement winned by a landslide, ending populist PM Orban’s 16 years in power; Hungary's election set a a record 77,8% turnout in a vote and is seen as Europe’s most consequential election this year
Europe Iceland Around 25 million cubic meters of magma have accumulated beneath Svartsengi since the last eruption in July 2025, according to model calculations; it is the largest volume since eruptions began on the Sundhnúkur crater row