Teri Schultz

A new law in the Belgian capital outlaws racist, homophobic and sexist insults, as well as other incivilities such as not cleaning up after your dog. The law allows for the fines — as high as $320 — to be collected quickly.

A new study released by the World Economic Forum ranks northern European nations at the top when it comes to the size of their gender gap. But one area where the gap is huge is in the percentage of women on company boards; it's less than 15 percent EU-wide. Controversy over what should be done about that — and by whom — is more divisive than ever.

The mayor of a Belgian seaside resort town wants to sue a private meteorological service for issuing a pessimistic full-summer forecast that has resulted in cancellations and loss of revenue. A similar complaint against Dutch meteorologists has been lodged in neighboring Netherlands.

The European Central Bank holds a meeting this week as analysts warn of tough consequences if the euro crisis isn't brought under control. Billionaire investor George Soros goes further saying the euro crisis could bring down the entire European Union.

Dutch scientists are trying to make insects a less exotic and cheaper food source. And one Dutch restaurant, Specktakel, is already embracing the trend by featuring a menu buzzing with entomological eats.

European officials have agreed to overhaul mobile roaming fees. That would allow consumers to pay less for calls, texts and mobile web services when traveling abroad. Consumer advocates are urging the EU to go further, and eliminate roaming fees altogether.

More than 70 members of the NATO coalition have been killed by men in Afghan police or army uniforms in the last five years. After several recent attacks, new measures are being put in place.

Saturday is European Privacy and Data Protection Day, which will be marked by events across the European Union. It caps off an eventful week with Google announcing controversial new privacy policies, and the EU outlining tough new privacy recommendations it wants to make law.

The European debt crisis is being blamed for a run on the shares of French banks. The stocks tumbled on the Paris stock exchange Wednesday, amid fears the country's AAA credit rating was under threat. Government officials and the banks said the fears were based on speculators spreading rumors.

The man accused of killing dozens of people on Friday in Norway was arraigned on terrorism charges Monday. The 32-year-old Norwegian suspect, Anders Behring Breivik, has acknowledged carrying out the attacks but pleaded not guilty. He was ordered held in solitary confinement.