Europe Serbia Serbian population continues to decrease, down to 6,83 million in 2021 from almost 6,9 million in 2020, according to estimates released by the Statistical Office; the population growth rate in 2021, compared to 2020, was negative (-9,4%)
Europe Latvia Defence Minister said the state will reinstate compulsory military service, following growing tension with neighbouring Russia; the country had revoked compulsory military service a few years after joining the Nato defence alliance
Europe Germany Digital association Bitkom has called on the government to launch the '#greencard22' programme aimed at easing the emigration of IT specialists from Russia and Belarus, provided they don't pose a security risk, to combat the shortage of skilled workers
Europe Bosnia and Herzegovina The two entities that make up Bosnia and Herzegovina have agreed on the need to build gas interconnections with Serbia and Croatia; the Council of Ministers is expected to soon discuss the proposal to build the gas interconnection
Europe Estonia An analysis of motor fuel sales data by region shows that the decrease in sales volumes was not equal and that consumption decreased more in regions with lower resident incomes
Europe Italy Data from Inps and private associations show that the only increase in population is recorded for Italians abroad, with over 5 million registered with Aire while the flight of pensioners, still modest, is growing
Europe Bosnia and Herzegovina EU handed over 150 metal detectors to the Minister of Defence for the Demining Battalion of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the first items delivered as part of a 10 million euro assistance measure under the European Peace Facility
Europe Austria Vienna now ranks first among the world's most liveable cities - according to The Economist Intelligence Unit report - as Auckland, former number 1, dropped to 34th place mainly due to the measures taken to contrast the pandemic
Europe North Macedonia The 'Confucius Institute' will offer in Bitola schools various activities aimed at teaching the Chinese language at the initial, intermediate and advanced levels, as well as courses in traditional Chinese - calligraphy or artistic papermaking
Europe Belarus The Government and the State Control Committee have approved an action programme for 2022 to stabilise prices, improve pricing methods and monitor compliance with price legislation
Europe Finland The country will update its transgender legislation in the autumn; currently, a transgender person must present proof of sterilisation before they can receive legal gender recognition, but the government would like this requirement to be abolished
Europe Germany Since the introduction of same-sex marriage, some 65.000 marriages have been celebrated, according to data published by Germany's national statistics office Destatis, with the highest number in 2019
Europe Kosovo A new opinion poll commissioned by UNDP and USAID and carried out in April shows that 58,4% of Kosovar citizens are satisfied with the performance of President Vjosa Osmani, 52,6% with Prime Minister Albin Kurti, and 47,2% with the government