Europe Norway Increasing tourists arrivals have led to Parliament approving a new tourist tax starting next summer; local communities will benefit from it, financing the public facilities needed and reducing the tourism industry footprint on nature
Europe Spain Following latest report showing 90% of migrant minors don't have documents, the government has sped up the issuing of around 800 papers through its sub-delegation in Las Palmas, Canary Islands, where thousand of migrants from African coasts land
Europe Slovakia Banners criticising PM Robert Fico have appeared on bridges in several eastern Slovak towns in recent weeks, reflecting mounting public frustration with the government’s political direction, even in the areas traditionally more loyal to his party
Europe Slovenia Single women and women in same-sex relationships can now access to assisted reproduction procedures after Slovenia's parliament passed specific act after decades of debate; in autumn 2024, Constitutional Court had ruled unconstitutional the existing law
Europe Latvia 39% of Latvian internet users will spend Midsummer night in the countryside, according to an annual survey by the internet tech research company Gemius, a figure in line with previous years, as are the 19% of respondents who won't celebrate
Europe Bosnia and Herzegovina The BiH embassies in Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran and Tel Aviv, State of Israel will be temporarily closed following a Presidency decision taken at an extraordinary session; diplomatic relations will be continued from Sarajevo
Europe Finland The world’s largest operational sand battery storage, holding 2.000 tonnes of crushed soapstone, has been activated in Pornainen; it stores as heat up to 100 megawatt-hours of renewable energy, supplying the local district heating network
Europe Serbia The first local elections held after the start of students' protests drew national attention despite involving less than 1% of Serbia electorate: they are an indicator of shifting public opinion; ruling SNS in Kosjeric SNS won by 51 votes on 10.000
Europe Switzerland The village of Brienz in Graubünden was closed again due to risk of landslides as 1,7 million cubic meters of rock masses in two areas above are threatening to collapse; after evacuation last November, daytime agricultural activities were recently allowed
Europe Albania The prolonged pre-trial detention with no formal charges of Erion Veliaj, Tirana Mayor and potential successor of PM Rama, is raising questions about Albania’s judicial practices diverging from European legal standards
Europe Belgium A veterinary care group is calling on pet owners to add their animals to the blood donation register to cope with the severe shortage of animal blood donors; according to AniCura transfusions help surgery recovery and increase effectiveness of medication
Europe Bulgaria 18th Sofia Pride was held in Knyaz Alexander I Square with the theme “We are people, not propaganda” in response to growing rhetoric that presents LGBTI rights as a threat; organisers remind that behind every identity and cause stand real individuals
Europe Germany Balcony solar systems - small photovoltaic units - are reshaping the look of German cities: their number has doubled within a year and are now around one million, according to Market Master Data Register and estimates by German Solar Industry Association