Europe Romania A large influx of illegal waste shipments was denounced by the Minister of Environment; apparently, as some Asian countries stopped accepting waste from the West, Romania was used as new dumping ground, mostly from European countries
Europe Ireland More than 2.100 driving tests had to be abandoned in 2020 due to bad weather or drivers' vehicles breaking down, according to the Road Safety Authority's 2020 annual report - which shows the percentage of abandoned tests doubled on 2019 figures
Europe Luxembourg Pupils will be free not to wear masks during most of their school day, but will have to take regular tests for Covid-19
Europe Poland A new treasure of 13 silver denier coins minted in the 9th century during the Carolingian Empire has been unearthed by archaeologists near the village of Biskupiec Pomorski in the north east
Europe Slovenia Fish catches in 2020, exceeding 155 tonnes, increased for the first time in five years, registering an increase of 29% on 2019
Europe Norway The distribution of Bibles in schools could be stopped by the Directorate of Education, as giving students religious writings, books or objects as gifts may be contrary to the Education Act
Europe Slovakia An industrial park of 14 hectares worth 35 million euros will be built in Dubnica nad Váhom by the end of 2022
Europe Portugal The Connecting Europe Express starts today from Lisbon: the hop-on hop-off train will connect 26 countries in 36 days in a celebration of the European Year of Rail 2021
Europe Moldova The Chisinau City Hall is accepting applications for the best reconstruction project of the Cathedral Park and the Stefan cel Mare Park in the city center; winners will be announced later this year
Europe Latvia Old railways are becoming "green" cycling routes linking Riga to the Russian city of Pskov with a project worth 27 million euros to be completed by April 2022
Europe Russia According to the largest Russian online book service LitRes, the novel "The Master and Margarita" by Mikhail Bulgakov is the most popular book among the local social networks users
Europe Albania Work is underway on the Skërfica tunnel, the most important work on the new Delvine-Kardhiq national axis, a strategic road infrastructure project that will open up new areas of tourism potential and economic development
Europe Kosovo 55 armoured vehicles were donated by the US for the Kosovo security force; earlier this year, a military platoon was sent to Kuwait, the first involvement in an international peacekeeping mission