Norway

As Sweden edges toward formal NATO membership, the nation's involvement in the alliance's extensive military maneuvers underscores its evolving defense ties. Joined by Finland, the region embarks on the "Nordic Response 2024" exercises, marking a significant step towards bolstering collective security in Northern Europe.

Norway joins Finland, Sweden & the UK in introducing greater safeguarding for children. In the US 8 states thus far have banned affirmative care under 18

Bulgaria finds itself in the "free country" category, although its standing teeters on the edge, according to the latest report from the American non-governmental organization "Freedom House." With a score of 78 out of 100, Bulgaria has slipped one place compared to 2022.

Greek shipowners remain by far the dominant players in the global tanker market, as Greek-owned tankers reach a value of $70 billion, according to the British company VesselsValue.

According to the latest data, from February 2024, available to Kathimerini, Greek shipowners have the third largest fleet in the world, amounting to $169.4 billion approximately.

A host of European governments Monday summoned Russian diplomats following the prison death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

Greece achieved another key distinction in the Nordic market after similar awards the country won in Norway in January. This time Greece was recognized as the Best Tourist Destination in the world for 2024 (The World's Best Tourist Country 2024) at the Grand Travel Awards (GTA) in Sweden.

Twenty-eight foreign embassies accredited to Greece have jointly issued a statement applauding the enactment of legislation granting equal marriage rights to same-sex couples.

LONDON - Serbia will be seeded in the draw for the September 13-15 tennis Davis Cup World Group 1 playoffs, the International Tennis Federation announced on its website on Tuesday.

The draw ceremony is scheduled for February 8.

The other seeds are Croatia, Sweden, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Switzerland, Hungary, Portugal, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Israel and Colombia.

Bulgaria has taken its first strides toward the establishment of environmentally conscious prisons, announced the Justice Ministry on Thursday. Exploring the Norwegian model, Bulgarian authorities are considering training both inmates and staff in Belene and Pleven prisons to acquire skills and knowledge in the green economy.

Athens is standing in the way of an EU-Tirana Defense and Security Agreement over the Albanian government's intransigent stance regarding the incarceration of the ethnic Greek mayor of Himare, Fredi Beleri.

The EU is in the process of speeding up the procedures for signing agreements with third countries outside the Union with a view to better defense cooperation.