Europe Portugal The country broke the record for energy production in 2023, with more production from renewable sources, more days in a row with only renewable energy and the lowest emissions ever, Redes Energéticas Nacionais announced
Europe Ukraine Hundreds of people attended a ceremony in the courtyard of the gold-domed St Michael's Monastery in Kiev to honour the memory of the famous Ukrainian poet Maksym Kryvtsov, killed in action while serving as a soldier
Europe Ireland Homeless organisations told the government of their 'deep concerns' over a potential move to restrict access to emergency accommodation, warning that it would lead to an increase in sleeping rough and the risk of illness and death
Europe Germany The German drivers' union announced the start of nationwide strikes which will increase traffic chaos while the confrontation between farmers and the government over agricultural subsidies continues
Europe Belgium Belgian prison staff went on a 24-hour strike starting at 10 p.m. on Thursday evening to protest against overcrowding and poor working conditions; Belgian prisons currently house around 12.000 people, exceeding the capacity by around 1.300 inmates
Europe Belarus Current Time, a Russian-language network operated by RFE/RL in cooperation with VOA, has been added to the register of extremist organisationsa in a frame of ongoing repression of independent media and civil society by Belarusian authorities
Europe Bosnia and Herzegovina The decision on entry and stay under special conditions for Palestinian citizens who are relatives of national citizens has been approved by the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Europe Spain A tide of tiny plastic balls washed ashore on Spain's north coasts; over 1000 bags of plastic granules had fallen into the sea from a cargo ship on 8 December and though volunteers are cleaning up, fears of a potential major environmental disaster remain
Europe Croatia Osijek's promenade will become the longest pedestrian and cycling route in Europe along a river, with an extension of 12 kilometres; construction of the promenade began in 1967 to protect Osijek from flooding
Europe Czech Republic Czech lawmakers are meeting with Interior Ministry officials and experts to discuss a possible tightening of gun laws in the wake of the tragic shooting at Charles University on 21 December
Europe Greece A new National Cyber Security Authority will be set up following the wave of attacks that hit Greek public bodies in the past two years
Europe Norway The country took a step towards becoming the first in the world to open its seabed to commercial deep-sea mining after a highly controversial parliamentary vote and amid strong environmental concerns from scientists
Europe Russia Russian opponent Alexey Navalny claims he was immediately sent to solitary confinement for seven days as soon as the mandatory quarantine period ended in the remote 'Polar Wolf' prison above the Arctic Circle, where he was transferred in December