Europe

30.000 companies change hands every year: small and medium enterprises (over 200.000 in Italy) are the most sought-after in business-to-business transactions and 80% of M&As of medium and large companies have also involved companies under €50 million

Liechtenstein is experiencing a flu wave that has been described by experts as “Very early and very contagious”: the Office for Health, hospitals and pharmacies are noticing an increase in cases, more intense than in previous years

Bezymianny volcano in Kamchatka has emitted strong pyroclastic flows since 25 November, with ash reaching an altitude of 32.000 ft, or 7.000 meters, causing the diversion of flight routes across the region and setting an alert for the population

Forty years have passed since the birth of the pioneering movement against political violence in the Basque Country following the political assassinations of 25 Nov1985; "Gesto por la Paz" fulfilled its objective with the end of ETA terrorism in 2011

National AI Strategy towards 2030 has been realigned: the question shaping Malta's AI frame is no longer whether AI will boost economy and transform society, but whether citizens will manage to shape that transformation or be shaped by it

The Lithuanian parliament on Thursday approved a three-year freeze of public broadcaster LRT’s budget and backed long-term changes that will reduce its share of income tax and excise tax revenues beginning in 2029

The torch for the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics was lit in an indoor and scaled-down ceremony in ancient Olympia; the traditional ceremony at the stadium where the Games were born in ancient Greece was redesigned due to heavy rain warnings

Claims that ‘Casa da Moeda’, the Portuguese mint, is to start manufacturing two million coins for Israel has sparked a wave of protest; NGOs and political parties blame Portugal of complicity with Israel and people demonstrated outside the mint in Lisbon

The San Marino Outlet changes course as the absence of Russian tourists impacts the luxury market; the shopping center will also focus on restaurants, not just clothing, and the retail space will be expanded

Tens of thousands of turkeys and chickens have been culled in weeks because of a spate of avian flu cases in Wales; concerns about the spread of highly pathogenic HPAI H5N1 are serious according to the industry and the situation severe, Wales said

Budapest first-ever double-decker ice rink has been inaugurated; Csepeli Ice Park features a the 60-metre ice corridor allowing skaters to access a terrace built atop the spectator area and glide down a 3,5-degree slope back to the lower rinks

Latvian full-service aircraft leasing company SmartLynx Airlines has ceased operations; in a statement to the media the company said the decision was made after assessing financial position and long-term operating prospects

Sugar beet harvest in Belarus has been 100% completed; Agriculture and Food Ministry confirmed all 108.000 hectares yielded 5.899.000 tonnes of sugar beet, higher than last year and 83% of the produce has been transported to public collection points