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
Europe Spain Masks will become compulsory in Spanish hospitals and health centres due to the increase in respiratory diseases; most of Spain's 17 autonomous regions objected, arguing that the measures should be recommended but not compulsory
Europe United Kingdom Labour has proposed measures to tackle persistent school absenteeism, such as free breakfast clubs for primary schools and increased funding for early speech and language interventions
Europe Bulgaria Following the traditional Christmas campaign of the Agriculture and Food Ministry for the purchase of Christmas trees, 62.000 saplings will be planted in Bulgarian forests
Europe Montenegro 116 suicides were registered in 2023, reinforcing the worrying numbers; according to WHO data, the country leads in the last decade in terms of the number of registered suicides in relation to the number of inhabitants
Europe Poland Polish prosecutors are investigating TV commentators who joked that migrants should be sent to Auschwitz or tattooed or microchipped like dogs; several investors have withdrawn their commercials from the TV station
Europe Slovakia The Slovak National Theatre is temporarily being led by Jozef Svolik, head of the department of art and artistic institutions at the Culture Ministry
Europe France A battle is underway to save Marie Curie's laboratory, a small building which should become a large and innovative cancer research centre; some argue that it is a 'historical monument' to be preserved while others say it is a highly radioactive place
Europe Germany The country's greenhouse gas emissions have dropped to their lowest level in 70 years; the decline is largely attributable to the decrease in coal-fired power plant production and the economic recession, which has led to less demand for energy
Europe Liechtenstein As part of the Epiphany entertainment, the Vaduz fire brigade theatre group performed the show 'Fischerei Ospelt'