Europe

Over 10% of credit for purchasing a house was granted to foreigners last year, reaching a total of 1,2 billion euros, according to data from the Banco de Portugal

Bureaucratic delays after the country's name dispute have left nearly a quarter of the population without passports, as in February only 1,3 million new passports had been issued due to incorrect implementation

National Crime Agency reports over 100 deaths linked to synthetic opioids called nitazene since the summer; according to Dr. Mark Pucci from West Midlands Deanery the British government is lagging behind in tracking the spread of new super-strength drugs

Over €295 million will be invested by the country in the so-called "Vertical Corridor," a key initiative among gas transmission operators from seven Balkan countries to reduce dependence on Russian gas

After protests from local people, the government has given the Swiss operator two months to resolve environmental problems at the Brskovo zinc-lead mine, adding that it would be better to terminate the contract altogether

Kosovo has taken a necessary step to secure membership in the Council of Europe, which will bring benefits such as membership in multiple conventions, participation in Eurovision, access to the ECHR

"Let's give a home to returning birds and wings to Ukrainian soldiers fighting" is the motto of a campaign to support Ukraine, bringing together Latvians and Lithuanians to raise funds for drones by painting birdhouses

At least a thousand candy wrappers made in Latvia and other parts of the world have been collected in a dedication collection by Arnita Ķerubine; she believes it is history from a different perspective

Kosovo's Central Election Commission set the voting date for the dismissal of four mayors of northern municipalities in one month, on 21 April; the European Union welcomed the decision and will assist the process

Finns will take to the streets of Helsinki today 21 March, UN's International Day against Racism, in what promises to be a major demonstration of unity and commitment against racism organized by a coalition of organizations

Only one Slovak company made it onto the list of Europe's 1.000 fastest-growing companies compiled by the Financial Times: Gardeon, a supplier of garages and garden sheds based in Turčiansky Ďur, northern Slovakia, came in 510th place

The country expelled a Russian diplomat over the opening of polling stations for the Russian presidential election in the breakaway region of Transnistria, after summoning the Russian ambassador

Foreign Minister suggested that the threat to exclude countries from the EU and "constructive abstention" could be "creative ways" as deadlock situations in key votes have long plagued the EU because they require unanimous consent