Europe Netherlands The two-day Christmas period was the second warmest since records began in 1901; five of the 10 warmest Christmas periods have been recorded since the turn of the century
Europe Sweden Tesla said over 20.000 cars were registered in Sweden this year, even though ongoing labour strikes seem to threaten its operations in the country
Europe Slovakia Travelling by train from Bratislava to various European cities at Christmas is on average twice as expensive as travelling by plane, claims Greenpeace Slovakia
Europe Ukraine For the first time since 1917, the country has decided to celebrate Christmas on 25 December, in a law signed by President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, with the aim of 'abandoning the Russian legacy of imposing Christmas celebrations on 7 January'
Europe Bulgaria The cost of essential ingredients for the Christmas table has risen by between 15% and 20% compared to last year's spending in Bulgaria: the most significant increases include eggs, butter, pork and chicken
Europe Ireland Dublin City Council is appealing to homeowners to stop covering their front gardens with concrete and asphalt contributing to increased flooding and sewer overflows into waterways
Europe Iceland Experts agree that volcanic activity on the Reykjanes Peninsula has ceased, although an official statement marking the end of the eruption is still awaited
Europe Germany To boost the retention of foreign graduates of German universities and to attract foreign degree holders to work in Germany, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, with the German Academic Exchange Service, has introduced new initiatives
Europe Monaco The OceanoScientific Explorer 'Love the Ocean' has set sail during a 'Grand Departure Ceremony' at the Monaco Yacht Club for the first of the OceanoScientific Coral Reefs 2023-2030 expeditions
Europe Montenegro 6 primary schools in Podgorica and one school in Bar received reports of alleged bombs being planted and classes in these schools were held online
Europe Czech Republic 14 victims and the 24-year-old perpetrator were killed in the mass shooting at Charles University in Prague, the most serious episode in modern times; pictures and videos of students running for safety have travelled the globe
Europe Luxembourg People found begging on the streets of Luxembourg's capital city will, as of mid-January, be sentenced to pay a fine of up to €250 or risk several days in prison by decision of the city council
Europe Latvia Keeping dogs on a chain could be soon banned following amendments to the animal protection law passed by the Saeima at second reading on 21 December