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
Africa Mauritania A memorandum of understanding was signed with Morocco on electricity and renewable energies to explore electricity interconnection and enhance cooperation between the two countries n line with the aspirations of both; a formal agreement is expected soon
Oceania Nauru Nauru Telikom launched 5G in Nauru, claiming to be the first nationwide 5G+ network service in Oceania
Africa Republic of the Congo Forestry Minister Rosalie Matondo criticised the 'lethargy' of the forestry administration, which managed to collect less than half of the taxes owed, blaming it for the low rate of duty and tax recovery
America Suriname Suriname, with support from the Netherlands' Institute for Sound and Vision, is working to digitize its deteriorating audiovisual archives, safeguarding invaluable cultural heritage at risk due to tropical climate condition
America Peru UNESCO Peru and the Ministry of Culture are collaborating with the Checca Pupuja Indigenous community in Puno to preserve and transmit traditional ceramic knowledge, involving youth workshops and showcasing works at the Virgen de la Candelaria Festival
Europe Moldova Moldovan Prosecutor General Ion Munteanu filed a notification with Constitutional Court asking it to verify the constitutionality of the appointment procedure of the Chief Prosecutor of the Autonomous Territorial Unit Gagauzia and subordinate prosecutors
Asia Palestine A ban on the UN agency for Palestinian refugees from operating in Israeli territory has come into force, affecting the organisation's work in Gaza and the occupied West Bank
Oceania Tuvalu The 24' documentary film Echoes of Tuvalu was screened over Christmas holidays and January 2025 in the Watersnood Museum's cinema in Ouwerkerk, the Netherlands, included in the museum's ticket
Africa Mozambique The country would need 12.000 primary and secondary teachers for the 2025 school year, said the government spokesman, for whom the teacher shortage 'represents a very serious challenge'
Europe Romania Cluj-Napoca and Sibiu topped History T.R.A.I. index in 2024: the former has the highest total score based on objective indicators such as traffic, air quality and property prices, and the latter on 13 subjective criteria assessed by city residents
America Paraguay Paraguay and Panama strengthened commercial ties through a business meeting hosted by Panama’s Chamber of Commerce, where Paraguayan President Santiago Peña highlighted his country’s competitive advantages and mutual interest in trade collaboration
Oceania Papua New Guinea Sir Julius Chan, one of Papua New Guinea's founding fathers, has died at the age of 85; Papua New Guineans had nicknamed him 'the last man standing', as he was the last of the founding members of the independence-era parliament
Europe Netherlands The increase in wages resulted in over €616 billion savings in 2024, an increase of €24,2 billion over the previous year, Nederlandsche Bank reported