Europe

Encroachments in Bulgarian forest areas decreased by over 60% in 2024 compared to 2023, said the Ministry of Agriculture and Food; 631.000 inspections were carried out in 2024

HaHaHouse was opened on Gajeva Street in Zagreb, on International Laughter Day, and is the first museum in the world dedicated exclusively to laughter; over 40 different installations and exhibitions combine humour, art and technology

Greenhouse gas emissions have diminished significantly in 2024 because of the decrease in the use of fossil fuels in energy production, lower transport emissions and the impact of less intensive deforestation according to Etla Economic Research

2024 was the second most successful year in the history of the Hungarian economy in terms of stimulating investment, with 4 trillion forints (€9,6 billion), announced the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade

U2 frontman Bono was awarded the Medal of Freedom by Joe Biden; he paid tribute to his bandmates and fellow activists as he became the first Irish recipient of the highest US civilian honour since Mary Robinson, awarded by Barack Obama in 2009

The cathedral of Monreale, built in the 12th century under Norman rule, is now fully open after over one year of experts' restoration; it boasts Italy's largest Byzantine-style mosaics, second in the world only to those of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey

The supervision committee of the Bank of Latvia issued an electronic money institution operating license to company Paytegra, granting the operator the right to issue electronic money and offer payment instruments

Slovenians voted genocide (genocid) as the word that most marked 2024, while the sign language gesture of the year is peace and preturizem (overtourism) became the new word of the year 2024

In 2024, Sweden granted the lowest number of residence permits to asylum seekers and their relatives ever recorded; the right-wing government pledged to continue with the reduction policy

Students and their supporters, including teachers' unions, blocked a major junction and part of the Belgrade-Zagreb motorway, as protests continue, sparked by the deaths caused by an infrastructure collapse at the Novi Sad railway station on 1 November

Romania's accession to the US Visa Waiver Program will be made official today, Friday 10 January, during a ceremony at the Department of Homeland Security in Washington