Europe Belarus New bill “On amending the laws on the granting of loans” was signed to protect the property rights of citizens in relation to borrowing money; among other measures it prohibits having only residential property as collateral for loan contracts
Europe Montenegro State prosecutors have accused and arrested former minister Predrag Boskovic, an opposition official, of being part of a criminal organisation that targeted political opponents using the media and social networks
Europe Netherlands 20.000 Dutch men a year travel abroad with the intention of sexually abusing a child, a recent study commissioned by the Scientific Research and Data Center found; the anti-abuse organization Offlimits launched a campaign aimed at stopping the phenomenon
Europe Iceland Laugarás Lagoon opened to the public; the new bathing facility extends over around one thousand square meters and offers a view over the river Hvítá and the surrounding countryside
Europe Greece Competition Commission has identified inefficiencies and potential distortions in coastal shipping; with 299 vessels operated by 216 companies the sector remains concentrated, with Attica Group and Seajets controlling about 60% of total passenger capacity
Europe Andorra Livestock fairs have been suspended to protect animals from lumpy skin disease and bovine species entering the Principality must prove negative for infection
Europe Slovakia Prime Minister Robert Fico has once again invoked his veto power to block a new round of European Union sanctions against Russia, setting the stage for a full-blown clash during next week's summit of leaders.
Europe North Macedonia Government wants to require journalists and others to seek permission to use open data from public institutions, heightening concerns about transparency; experts say a new bill on open data risks introducing new restrictions on transparency
Europe Norway Officials at the Nobel Institute in Oslo have hired international experts to confirm whether they have been spied; they suspect someone revealed who would be winning the Peace Prize, as the odds in favour of Maria Machado shot up before the announcement
Europe Moldova The Decision on the Methodological Norms for the Development and Approval of National Tourist Routes has been approved; a key measure for fostering the sustainable growth of the tourism sector according the Ministry of Culture
Europe Liechtenstein As shopping tourism booms, Sven Simonis, President of Purchasing in Liechtenstein, highlights that convenience is often underestimated
Europe Bulgaria Cabinet approved amendments to the Organ, Tissue and Cell Transplantation Act eliminating the requirement of explicit written consent during a person’s lifetime to the removal of organs, tissues and cells after their death
Europe Ukraine Emergency power cuts have been imposed in all but two regions of Ukraine following an increase in Russian strikes that have weakened the country's energy system