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From the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the media have been accused of creating a false image of the situation and fuelling the negative mood in our society. The word “media” has been used to paint all with the same brush, the criticism is aimed at everyone, and the guilt is collective, writes Libuše Šmuclerová.

In today's edition of the Capitals, find out more about Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz saying he will not resign despite being under investigation and a polish right-wing opposition party opposing the EU proposal for 'vaccine passports', and so much more.

Romania will lift restrictions gradually, as the vaccination rate picks up and the number of coronavirus infections drops countrywide. As of Saturday (15 May), wearing masks outside will no longer be mandatory, except for markets and fairs, president Klaus Iohannis...

Croatia is the first EU country to have successfully tested the system for digital green certificates, announced Interior Minister Davor Božinović during a government session on Thursday. The Croatian agency responsible for developing technical solutions for the EU’s green certificates...

Bulgaria can achieve collective immunity against COVID-19 within 63 days if the current rate of vaccination is maintained, government health adviser Nikolay Vitanov said on Thursday. Bulgaria has been able to vaccinate about 0.5% of its population per day this...

The government decided to pay a one-time allowance of €333 per child to families in material need. According to Slovak Labour Minister Milan Krajniak, the first wave of support will target 45,000 children. Families should receive the money by the...

The Czech Republic’s new Health Minister Petr Arenberger, who took office on 7 April, has been challenged to explain alleged substantial irregularities in his tax returns, Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš said on Thursday. The PM’s words come after recent...

Hungary launched a mobile app allowing holders to certify their vaccination status on Thursday (13 May), though several users encountered problems with using the tool, Telex reported. Unlike the country’s vaccine certificate, which carries information on both those who got the...

The “green certificates” to be introduced across the EU will “significantly hinder or even make it impossible for tens of millions of people, including at least 10 million Polish citizens to travel in Europe,” Michał Wawer, a lawyer and treasurer...

Portugal's secretary of state for tourism hopes that a high-level forum on Friday (14 May) will resolve "two major concerns": the commitment of member states to sustainable tourism and funding lines for this transformation.

Greece’s big public projects will now be under the supervision of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, according to a last-minute amendment in a bill that triggered the strong reaction of the opposition. Transport and Infrastructure Minister Costas Karamanlis told the Greek...

“There is not a single thing that can solve the climate crisis. We need a multiple approach,” said US special envoy for climate, John Kerry, who on Thursday met with Italy’s foreign and ecological ministers, as well as with CEOs...

Economic growth in Finland will see a boost in 2021 after which it will start to normalise substantially, the finance ministry said in a report published on Wednesday. According to the report, the country’s gross domestic product is expected to...

Israel’s ambassador to Ireland Ophir Kariv has accused some Irish politicians of directing hate towards the Jewish State in an emotional outburst at a parliament committee on Thursday, the Irish Times has reported. Kariv said it was “very surprising and...

Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz said he will “certainly not resign” despite being investigated by the Prosecutor’s Office for Economic Affairs and Corruption for allegedly giving false testimonies to the parliament’s investigation committee. Kurz told Austrian public broadcaster ORF that he has...

Serbia and Greece are set to sign an agreement cancelling roaming fees next week, Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabić announced on Thursday. “We have negotiated a roaming agreement with Greece, according to which all our citizens who visit Greece will...

Updates with NATO official comments An unnamed great power is launching a demand to withdraw NATO’s Kosovo Force (KFOR) and United Nations Mission (UNMIK) from Kosovo, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić said on Thursday, adding that he will ask NATO Secretary...

Mario Draghi, who draws at least two generous state pensions and owns or part-owns around 10 houses, has said he will not receive any salary for his job as Italy's prime minister.

Poland's Senate on Thursday (13 May) rejected the latest candidate for the politically sensitive role of national ombudsman, deepening an impasse that has pitted the ruling conservative party against opponents who say it is eroding democratic rights.

French President Emmanuel Macron and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern are set to co-host a summit on Friday (14 May) to review progress made on combatting terrorist content online two years on from the livestreaming of the deadly Christchurch mosque attack. EURACTIV France reports.