The European Commission has announced in July 2025 the selection of 94 transport infrastructure projects to receive nearly €2.8 billion in grants under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), a flagship EU funding instrument aimed at building a sustainable and interconnected transport network across the continent.
Tag: Slovakia
Spain’s Renfe sends Talgo VI rolling stock to Leo Express in Czechia and Slovakia
Private rail operator Leo Express in Czechia is advancing its ambitious expansion plans, combining the recent transfer of retired Talgo VI trains from Spain with exploratory filings for new international night services.
Leo Express: Bratislava – Ostend night train not a firm commitment
At the end of June 2025, Czech private rail operator Leo Express has submitted a filing for a potential night train service between Slovakia and Belgium, but the company has clarified that this does not represent a firm commitment. In a statement to RailTech, Leo Express spokesperson Emil Sedlařík said the filing should be seen…
Leo Express wants night train service from Slovakia to Ostend, Belgium
Leo Express, a Czech railway operator, intends to introduce a night train service between Ostend in Belgium and Bratislava in Slovakia via Germany and Czechia from mid-December 2026; Thibault Lapers reports on his Mobilithib Substack. Leo Express notified the Czech Office for the Protection of Economic Competition (Úřad pro ochranu hospodářské soutěže) of its intentions.
RAINBOW EUROPE MAP AND INDEX 2025 | United Kingdom, Hungary and Georgia drop dramatically on LGBTQIA+ rights ranking
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has dropped six places on this year‘s ILGA-Europe’s Rainbow Map and Rainbow Index, as Hungary and the Republic of Georgia also register steep falls following anti-LGBTI legislation. The data highlights how rollbacks on LGBTI human rights are part of a broader erosion of democratic protections across…
SPARTACUS GAY TRAVEL INDEX 2025 | USA and Eastern Europe under observation
Iceland joins the world’s most LGBTQIA+ friendly travel destinations for the first time, according to the Spartacus Gay Travel Index 2025. The gay travel guide keeps a close watch on Eastern Europe and the United States of America. Belgium ranks now 12th.
ILGA-EUROPE | New era of coordinated attacks on foundations of Fundamental Rights, as EU bins Equal Treatment Directive
A major report published today, 18 February 2025, identifies how LGBTQIA+ people are being weaponized to erode the foundations of freedom and democracy across Europe. The report describes the changes in 2024.
European Union, Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein introduce European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) from May 2025
On 14 September 2024, the European Union launched its website for ETIAS, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System. The scheme will start being applied from May 2025.
United Kingdom introduces mandatory Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for US, Canada, Australia, EU citizens from 2025
The Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is expanding its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme to citizens of the European Union. Applying for the British ETA will cost you 10 pounds sterling.
Which flags get to fly at Antwerp City Hall?
Today is the National Holiday of Belgium. On 21 July 1831, Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha took the constitutional oath to become King of the Belgians. But I want to look at something else.