Europe Czech Republic Today marks the 80th anniversary of the October 19, 1945, first organised transport of settlers from Prague to the Czech borderlands, beginning post-war efforts to resettle areas that had been left deserted after the expulsion of German-speaking citizens
Europe Italy The value of "unobserved" economy has grown by €15,1 billion, marking a 7,5% increase on 2022 data, reaching €217 billion; the net value of illegal activities stands at just under €198 billion, up €14,9 billion on previous year, 9,2% of GPD in 2023
Europe Belgium A new plan to combat antimicrobial resistance will be launched amid a global rise in infections resistant to common antibiotics; the WHO calls the occurrence a “silent pandemic”
Europe Belarus New bill “On amending the laws on the granting of loans” was signed to protect the property rights of citizens in relation to borrowing money; among other measures it prohibits having only residential property as collateral for loan contracts
Europe Montenegro State prosecutors have accused and arrested former minister Predrag Boskovic, an opposition official, of being part of a criminal organisation that targeted political opponents using the media and social networks
Europe Netherlands 20.000 Dutch men a year travel abroad with the intention of sexually abusing a child, a recent study commissioned by the Scientific Research and Data Center found; the anti-abuse organization Offlimits launched a campaign aimed at stopping the phenomenon
Europe Iceland Laugarás Lagoon opened to the public; the new bathing facility extends over around one thousand square meters and offers a view over the river Hvítá and the surrounding countryside
Europe Greece Competition Commission has identified inefficiencies and potential distortions in coastal shipping; with 299 vessels operated by 216 companies the sector remains concentrated, with Attica Group and Seajets controlling about 60% of total passenger capacity
Europe Andorra Livestock fairs have been suspended to protect animals from lumpy skin disease and bovine species entering the Principality must prove negative for infection
Europe Slovakia Prime Minister Robert Fico has once again invoked his veto power to block a new round of European Union sanctions against Russia, setting the stage for a full-blown clash during next week's summit of leaders.
Europe North Macedonia Government wants to require journalists and others to seek permission to use open data from public institutions, heightening concerns about transparency; experts say a new bill on open data risks introducing new restrictions on transparency
Europe Norway Officials at the Nobel Institute in Oslo have hired international experts to confirm whether they have been spied; they suspect someone revealed who would be winning the Peace Prize, as the odds in favour of Maria Machado shot up before the announcement
Europe Moldova The Decision on the Methodological Norms for the Development and Approval of National Tourist Routes has been approved; a key measure for fostering the sustainable growth of the tourism sector according the Ministry of Culture