Europe Croatia A project for new trains for the Zagreb-Split service and a pilot-project of free travel for Croatians above 65 have been unveiled: in 2024, €2 million will be set aside to enable pension recipients and citizens above 65 to travel by train free of charge
Europe Czech Republic A proposal to change the definition of rape and introduce a “no means no” principle has been approved by Government; if approved by Parliament, it would no longer be based on the concept of rape as forced sexual intercourse but on non-consensuality
Europe Serbia The construction of long-announced biotech campus officially started and should be ready in 3 years; it is expected to harness Serbian scientific expertise and private partners from among the world’s biggest pharma, genetics and healthcare companies
Europe San Marino Stop bombing Gaza now is the appeal of the San Marino Green Festival, reproposing on the Palazzo Pubblico the message that appeared on the façade of the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, verbatim "Cease fire now"
Europe Romania A political agreement with Ministries of Internal Affairs of Austria and Bulgaria for the country's entry into the Schengen Area with air and maritime borders from March 2024 has been reached; negotiations for land border accession will continue this year
Europe Belgium Mobile data usage nearly doubled (+95%) on New Year's Eve compared to the previous year, operator Proximus announced, according to figures compiled between 20:00 on 31 December and 08:00 on 1 January
Europe Lithuania A presidential election in Lithuania will be held on May 12, the country’s parliament decided; last spring, the Seimas had announced that a referendum on the legalisation of multiple citizenship would also be held on May 12
Europe Netherlands Direct Eurostar train services from Amsterdam to London will be suspended for six months when part of the Dutch capital's main train station is closed for maintenance from next July
Europe Hungary The Budapest100 programme, which will take place from 9 to 12 May 2024, will showcase the diverse architectural heritage of the 1970s and initiate a debate on its appreciation and possible future
Europe Greece From 1 April 2024, Greece intends to offer exclusive guided tours of the Acropolis, its most powerful tourist attraction, to a few well-heeled visitors outside normal opening hours, at a cost of 5.000€ for a group of up to five people
Europe Albania Voltalia, an international operator in renewable energies, has started production of its 140 MW solar project, in Fier district in southern Albania; the Karavasta plant will be able to generate electricity equivalent to the consumption of 220.000 people
Europe Kosovo Long-awaited EU visa liberalization scheme allowing Kosovo nationals to travel without a visa comes into force today January, 1 2024; Kosovars can travel to the passport-free Schengen zone without a visa for periods of up to 90 days in any 180-day period
Europe Hungary Árpád Kovács, outgoing president of Fiscal Council, described 2023 as a weak year while next year's projected GDP growth of 3% will be based on stronger social consumption, return to productive investment and progress in the process of adapting energy use