PRESS EUROPEAN

Denmark

Bingo bust

A COPENHAGAN court ruled in favour of the country’s official gambling regulator who found that a local association had offered illegal bingo and banko games for several years. The club, not a non-profitmaking organisation, was fined €2,014 while the authorities impounded a further €671,248.

The Netherlands

Less snow

THE Netherlands had under-average snowfall for the 10th consecutive winter, snowing on only 13 days between mid-autumn and midspring, instead of the habitual average of 20 days. The last time the Netherlands had more snow than usual was in 2013, when snow was registered on 34 days.

Belgium

Bombs away

A 30-KILO bomb that was approximately 60 centimetres long and 25 centimetres wide was detonated on the beach at Koksijde during ongoing work to rid the beach of explosives dating back to the Second World War. The beach was closed as a crew carried out a controlled explosion.

Germany

Hot topic

GERMANS assure pollsters that they are concerned about the climate crisis and the consequences of global warming. Nevertheless, opposition to the Economics and Climate ministry’s new home-heating law revealed that they are reluctant to modify lifestyles or pay higher prices to curb emissions

France

Drought crisis

THE Pyrenees-Orientales coastal region’s drought is officially classed as a crisis, with the River Agly practically dried-up since the middle of March. Restrictions to save as much of the tourist-dependent area’s drinking water as possible include a ban on car-washing, watering gardens and filling swimming pools.

Norway

Early settlers

ELISE, an eight-year-old girl from Vestland, went to pick up a piece of glass while playing near her school but instead found an interesting piece of stone. She showed to her teacher, who contacted the county council whose archaeologists confirmed that it was a Stone Age dagger created 3,700 years ago.

Finland

On record

FINLAND’S new canine register finally opened on May 7 following a delay of several months owing to technical problems. By 4pm that same day the system run by the Finnish Food Authority had registered around 4,000 dogs, following which they will eventually be microchipped.

Ireland

Double identity

AIDAN BYRNE, 75, who used his dead brother’s identity to claim more than €93,000 in benefits, was jailed for two and a half years by a Donegal court. He hoodwinked the social welfare system with a birth certificate belonging to his brother, Anthony, who died in a 1972 drowning accident in England.

Italy

Flat rate

THE super-rich are moving to Italy to enjoy financial benefits introduced in 2017. In exchange for an annual fee of €100,000 those taking up residency are exempt from paying tax on income generated overseas. The initiative also extends to family members for a yearly payment of €25,000 per person.

Portugal

Close friends

PORTUGAL and Spain’s a new Friendship and Cooperation Treaty, which confirms their shared values, came into force on May 11. Both governments explained that the new agreement also updates the 1977 Treaty, which played a crucial role in Portugal and Spain’s parallel development as democracies.

Ukraine

Cyberwarfare

UKRAINIAN communications have been subjected for years to slick and inventive cyberattacks from Russia and Ukraine has increasingly hit back, particularly since last year’s invasion. Now security firm Malwarebytes have tracked a new group operating against both Ukraine and Russia whose motives “are still unclear.”

Sweden

Taking charge

SWEDEN will make history opening the world’s first permanently electrified stretch of road in 2025 on the E20 road near Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmo. The electric road system (ERS) will enable electric vehicles to recharge on the move, enabling them to travel greater distances between charging stations.