Europe Norway Following ongoing reduction of sealife in the Oslo Fjord, extensive bans on fishing in three key areas will come into force from January 1. Critics and fishing firms claim farming, development and other sources of pollution should be addressed first
Oceania Palau A newly introduced bill allocates $1,4 million in social assistance funds with a one-time payment of $450 for retirees who have no other source of earned income and for individuals receiving disability insurance benefits
Europe Malta Leave for urgent family reasons will increase to 32 hours per year starting from the 4 April 2025, which is double the previous allowance of 15 hours
Africa Algeria The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, Mary Lawlor, criticised Algeria, which she said continues to "restrict and harass human rights defenders for their peaceful activities"
Asia Singapore Lim Tze Peng, Singapore’s oldest artist and a revered cultural icon, has passed away at 103; renowned for his ink paintings and calligraphy, Lim dedicated his life to capturing the country’s heritage and landscapes, leaving an enriching legacy
Africa Libya The Libya Africa Investment Portfolio presented a detailed timetable for the implementation of two important international transit corridors: the Misurata-Tamanhant-Agadez route connecting Libya to Niger and the Benghazi-Kufra-Sudan highway
Africa Equatorial Guinea The First Lady and President of the Democratic Party's Specialised Women's Organisation met with women market coordinators in Malabo as part of a series of initiatives undertaken to strengthen and enhance the role of women in economic development
Asia Azerbaijan The best athletes of 2024 have been announced by Ministry of Youth and Sports: the best female athlete prize was awarded to archer Yaylagul Ramazanova, competing pregnant in 2024 Olympics, and the title of best male athlete to judoka Hidayat Heydarov
Africa Chad As a fundamental step in the process of establishing the new institutions, the President of the Republic summoned the elected deputies of the Fourth Legislature of the National Assembly for their inauguration
Asia Kazakhstan 4,6 billion tenge (US$8.7 million) will be allocated from the Special State Fund to build a regional first-aid station in Aktau city; the sum comes from illegal assets returned to the state
Asia East Timor A contract for the provision of consultancy services was signed by the Ministry of Transport and Communications for the construction of the new passenger terminal, part of the 'President Nicolau Lobato' International Airport rehabilitation project
America Antigua and Barbuda Dozens of young people added their voices to the chorus of rejection of gender-based violence in Antigua and Barbuda, calling for action and change during the conference "Change Starts Here: Youth Against Gender-Based Violence"
Europe France The country will double its defence budget in the near future, President Emmanuel Macron announced, urging EU leaders to increase military spending
America Saint Kitts and Nevis The competent Ministers on 31 January passed The Passage of the Vehicles and Road Traffic Amendment Bill 2025 and the ground breaking Passage Of Plea Negotiations And Agreements Bill 2024, considered a milestone for justice reform