Europe Latvia Construction of Rail Baltica Riga Central Station complex has been resumed thanks to funds from the European Union's Recovery Facility; the building should be completed by August 2026 and would start serving rail passengers in the summer of 2027
Europe Lithuania The Constitutional Court ruled that the 'the institution of partnership', as now defined in Lithuania's Civil Code, is unconstitutional because it only provides for a union between a man and a woman, excluding same-sex relationships
Europe North Macedonia Dojran Lake a unique wetland reserve laying 64% in NM and 36% in Greece, at its peak spawning season, is protected against illegal fishing by Greece authorities with drones and patrols while NM authorities aren't taking action
Europe Moldova Authorities have pledged to overhaul the care system for fragile persons after an investigation into the country’s 5 institutions for people with disabilities uncovered widespread exploitation, violence and sexual abuse by staff against the residents
Europe Austria Additional HGV driving bans have been introduced on the A10 'Tauern Autobahn' motorway from 16 April to June to smooth out car traffic among construction sites; the ban applies to trucks and vehicle combinations with a GVW over 7,5 t, with exceptions
Europe Luxembourg Ten of Luxembourg’s most promising startups have been selected to compete in the Startup World Cup, a prestigious global competition organized by Pegasus Tech Ventures; the winner will access the San Francisco challenge against 100+ global competitors
Europe Greece Greece has completed its first marine spatial planning and released the official map with the extension of territorial waters up to 12 nautical miles, as per UN Convention; the continental shelf of the Aegean islands is a point of friction with Turkey
Europe Slovakia While Slovak president condemned Russian strike on Sumy and urged to make pressure for peace, the parliament refused to sign the international document condemning Russia for those deadly attacks
Europe United Kingdom The Supreme Court ruled that trans women do not fall within the legal definition of women under UK's equality legislation; the landmark judgment says the legal definition of a woman is based on biological sex, a blow to campaigners for transgender rights
Europe Albania 16 out of 41 migrants transferred earlier this year are claimed to have disappeared from the Italian-run Gjader Repatriation and Detention Centre, CPR, in Albania, according to a claim made by an Italian opposition MP after a visit to the camp
Europe Belarus Belarus is moving to boost bilateral air transport cooperation with Iran; plans include the launch of direct flights between Tehran and Minsk, the head of Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization said
Europe Russia The 47th Moscow International Film Festival MIFF, one of the oldest in the world having had its first edition in 1935, will open in Moscow tomorrow 17 April; ending on 24 April, it will display dozens of international works including five from Iran
Europe Ukraine In the deadliest attack this year, Russian missiles hit the center of Sumy killing at least 35 people and striking terror as residents were out enjoying Palm Sunday and attending morning church services