Europe Bulgaria For the seventh time in a row, the country participated in the solemn Christmas concert in the Canadian capital Ottawa, coordinated by the EU delegation and carried out with the help of all embassies of EU member states
Europe Netherlands The agriculture minister has promised to end the practice of boiling crabs and lobsters alive, reacting to a motion tabled by animal rights MP Frank Wassenberg, who pointed out that it is scientifically certain that these animals feel pain
Europe Serbia Thousands of people blocked roads in an anti-government protest against two new laws that environmentalists say will allow foreign companies to exploit local resources, polluting national soil and waters
Europe Ukraine The foreign minister presented to the OSCE the elements of the Crimea Platform's activities and the five priority areas that include policy of non-recognition of the attempted annexation, more effective sanctions and an international human rights response
Europe Greece Quoting the Greek classics Socrates and Aristotle, the Pope, after his visit to the refugee camp of Mytilene, on the island of Lesbos, raised the alarm about the many backward steps in democracy that are taking place in the world
Europe Russia The Russian tennis federation team has won the Davis Cup title for the first time since 2006 after beating Croatia in yesterday's final in Madrid
Europe Slovakia The country has overtaken the United States in sugar consumption, particularly through sugary drinks, and now belongs to the group of countries facing the worst food risks among OECD members
Europe Slovenia A collection of cultural and natural heritage, folk tales, stories and traditions has been presented at the Cankarjev Dom cultural centre in Ljubljana and will be part of the Google Arts & Culture portal
Europe Spain Thanks to new legislation - opposed only by the far-right Vox party - pets and wild species will no longer be considered "objects" in the Spanish civil code, but will be treated as "sentient beings"
Europe Estonia The number of bicycle thefts in cities has increased, with 700 thefts this year compared to 592 at the same time last year
Europe Croatia After the last murder of a woman by an ex-partner, in full daylight and in public, activists are joining movements at international level and calling on government for a review of penal code that would ensure more protection
Europe Finland EK, the Confederation of Finnish Industries, estimates that investments worth at least €3,2 billion, with an employment impact of about 9.000 jobs, are hold back by unprecedented and unpredictable permit procedures
Europe Ireland Environmental Protection Agency report highlights a strong need to end over-reliance on incineration for waste management, seeking other solutions and promoting reuse and recycling