Europe

An ideologically divisive election campaign has been proposed after the largest party collected signatures for a referendum that would grant special pension allowances to prize-awarded artists, providing an extra income to a specific cultural elite

29,5% of the adult population consumes some product containing nicotine, and cigarettes are the most widely used product, according to a study conducted by the Odec computing centre for Philip Morris

New tourist routes will be launched in all regions of Belarus with the aim of creating recommendations for each district as to what tourists should see first during their 5-6 hour trip

Authorities will start cooperating more closely to better share information in the fight against radicalization and extremism among minors: the number of minors involved in terrorist activities is on the rise and many at risk of radicalization are minors

A nationwide teachers' strike was held, affecting around 1.000 schools and universities; unions have announced that 93,54% of the affiliated schools have joined the strike

In Kočani, where 59 people died in a fire at a discotheque over the weekend, protesters gathered downtown with placards reading 'we are dying from corruption'; about 20 people were arrested, including government officials and the nightclub's manager

Poland and Baltic states may be leaving the 1997 Ottawa treaty banning antipersonnel land mines, citing security reasons at the borders they share with Russia

With 77 deaths per million inhabitants, Romania still has the highest road accident rate in the European Union, despite a 4% drop in 2024 compared to the previous year

Over 175.000 military bunkers were built during Albania’s communist-era; though many were blown up, thousands remain: used for agricultural storage, wineries, resource for experimental artists, they are now becoming a tourist attraction

Hungarian Civic Alliance, the right-wing populist and national-conservative led by PM Orbán, has submitted a proposal to legally ban Pride, the set of events and demonstrations in favour of the rights of the LGBTQ+ community

The introduction of the 'lump sum' pension withdrawal option, initially planned for 1 July 2024, will be postponed until July 2026; the measure would allow pensioners to withdraw up to 10% of their pension savings in an una tantum lump sum

Luxembourgish Gynecologists's association announced that they are relieved to hear that surgical reconstruction of the hymen and virginity certificates will no longer be allowed; the move is considered a step towards better protection of women's rights