Europe Spain Gastronomy contributed €374 billion to the Spanish economy in 2023, generating 27% of the gross domestic product in 2023 and providing 7,2 million full-time jobs, representing 37% of the country's entire labour market
Europe Ukraine President Zelensky and UK Prime Minister Starmer signed a landmark agreement on a 100-year partnership to deepen security ties and strengthen partnership for future generations; meeting in Kiev, they went across defence and non-military areas
Europe Liechtenstein The new grid usage tariff model, effective from 1 January 2025, is already attracting criticism, with grid usage tariffs being described as 'a punishment' for owners of photovoltaic systems
Europe Monaco The Centre Scientifique de Monaco officially appointed Sylvie Tambutté, a distinguished marine biologist known for groundbreaking research on coral calcification and the challenges they face in the era of climate change, as its new scientific director
Europe Russia The first prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine in 2025 took place: 25 Ukrainian civilians and military personnel and 25 Russian soldiers were freed
Europe France France is the most fertile country in the European Union, despite reaching an all-time low in terms of fertility in 2024, with 1,62 children per woman, compared to 1,4 for the European average
Europe Germany A major reform of the Advisory Commission for Cultural Property Looted by the Nazis has been announced; it is specifically designed to deal with claims for compensation for works of art looted during the Nazi era
Europe Kosovo For the first time ever, Kosovo and Serbia met in Brussels to discuss the fate of people who disappeared during the 1998-1999 Kosovo war; joint commission has been agreed within the framework of the Declaration on Missing Persons
Europe Switzerland Johnson & Johnson plans to reduce its workforce in Switzerland, as the Company goes through reorganization and the business must adapt to a "complex and rapidly changing external environment"
Europe Estonia Funding for extracurricular education has decreased by a third in the last five years, and most hobby schools are now concentrated in larger municipalities; the Saare County has seen a 60% decline
Europe Czech Republic The fruit harvest dropped by 65% in 2024 to 48.058 tonnes, the lowest in 100 years according to a number of sources, after heavy frosts in April damaged flowering crops; frost-related losses are estimated at CZK 1,3 billion, or € 51.382.500
Europe Bosnia and Herzegovina With the adoption of the decision on the minimum wage in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina for 2025, the child allowance will increase from the previous 117 BAM (60€) to 190 BAM (90€) per child
Europe Netherlands The number of bankruptcies increased in 2024 compared to the previous year: according to Statistics Netherlands, almost 4.300 companies were declared bankrupt last year, an increase of 30% compared to 2023