Africa Uganda Uber has ended its operations in Uganda after having been a commodity in the local urban transport for over a decade; the exit takes immediate effect and follows extensive review of Uber's business priorities across Africa
Asia Iran The release of a Spanish national detained in Iran was a “humane” step, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said; Santiago Sanchez Cogedor was held as protests were roiling Iran after the death in custody of the young Iranian Mahsa Amini
Europe Slovenia The Slovenian Ministry of Health has up to now paid €20.000 in compensation for deaths after vaccination against the coronavirus; 81 requests have been received in 2022, 103 this year
Africa Comoros The "Mother of the Nation Dialysis Centre" in Mohéli Island was inaugurated by the Emirates Red Crescent; the first of its kind on the island, it is a dialysis ward consisting of 8 dialysis units and a medical warehouse to provide 5.000 sessions annually
Europe Finland The population of the City of Helsinki is expected to grow from 664.028 at the end of 2022 to over 700.000 in 2027 and to 722.000 in 2040; at the end of the forecast period, in 2060, the population will reach 906.000
Europe Vatican City Twenty missionaries lost their lives across the world through violent death this year, two more than in 2022, according to Vatican Fides News Agency
Africa Ethiopia The Amhara Regional State Tourism Office has announced preparations for the next two public religious festivals 'Gena' and 'Timket' to be celebrated on 7 and 20 January respectively
Europe Estonia The Bank of Estonia will issue two new commemorative coin series from 2025; both silver coins, one will celebrate Estonian soldiers and the other will start series 'Outstanding Estonian Women' with Lilli Suburg (1841-1923 journalist, writer and feminist)
Asia Vietnam In response to the persistent power shortages in Northern Vietnam, the Vietnam Electricity Group is considering to import wind power from Laos; all domestic electricity is concentrated in southern Vietnam, with the north in frequent need of power supply
Africa Madagascar Ensuring the safety, quality and fair trade of vanilla is the goal of the preliminary draft of vanilla regulations that the country will present at 7th session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission on Spices and Herbs scheduled for late January in India
Asia Maldives A new Act introducing up to MVR 50.000 (almost 3.000€) fine for unlawful strikes carried out by trade unions has been ratified by the Parliament
Asia Armenia The commission responsible for television and radio announced that the licence of Tospa, Sputnik Armenia's broadcaster, has been suspended for 30 days starting December 20 following remarks made in November by Russian TV personality Tigran Keosayan
Asia Oman The Sultanate of Oman will host the annual meeting of the International Forum of Sovereign Wealth Funds (IFSWF) in November 2024
Europe Romania A political agreement with Ministries of Internal Affairs of Austria and Bulgaria for the country's entry into the Schengen Area with air and maritime borders from March 2024 has been reached; negotiations for land border accession will continue this year