Asia Malaysia The Gig Workers Bill 2025 was passed, extending labor protections to about 1,2 million gig economy workers; the law mandates written contracts and basic benefits, like insurance and leave, for drivers, freelancers and platform workers
Oceania Solomon Islands Total international arrivals for Q3 2024 were 13.966, an increase of 11,5% over the previous quarter, Q2 2024, according to Solomon Islands National Bureau of Statistics
Europe San Marino Those who choose to become San Marino citizens by naturalisation will no longer be obliged to renounce their original nationality following the State Congress's recent approval of the proposed citizenship bill
Oceania Tuvalu In 2025, all the islands of Tuvalu will have tide forecasts available after the Tuvalu Meteorological Service delivered the calendars to island council representatives for distribution to the islands in December
America Antigua and Barbuda Customs and Excise Division and Port Authority have reported record-breaking revenues in year 2024, signaling robust economic growth in the country; Port Authority achieved unprecedented figures, driven by higher volumes of imports and exports
Oceania Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. signed into law RPPL 11-40, a comprehensive amendment to the government wage structure, which introduces a 10% across-the-board wage increase for all public and contract employees which will be in force from 1 October 2025
Africa Mauritania The country officially launched its new electronic visa system; e-Visa, effective since 5 January 2025, replaces the need for visa stickers and visa services on arrival, simplifying the process for international travellers
Oceania New Zealand 2024 saw a decline in house property value in most of the country, with over -6% reached in bigger cities due to overall market low and high mortgage rates; as lower rates are starting to work through the system, the value decline could be nearing its end
Oceania Papua New Guinea Duncan Gabi, the leading climate change activist in Papua New Guinea, has estimated that tens of thousands of people have been displaced from the area around Pariva beach due to rising seas, describing it as a 'humanitarian crisis'
America Saint Lucia The Saint Lucia’s Substance Abuse Advisory Council has encouraged citizens to include in their New Year resolutions sustained practices that protect health and become part of a lifestyle, taking distance from harmful habits
Europe Monaco In line with its commitment to creating greener infrastructure, the Monegasque government will continue its project to replace and modernise lighting in tunnels with advanced LED lighting systems
Africa Republic of the Congo Heavy rains caused the Bichida River to break its banks as waters rose very quickly; the surrounding fields, saturated with water, turned into a huge lake and the Mbinda-Mayoko road, a stretch of 25 km, became difficult
America Brazil Brazil recorded its hottest year ever in 2024, with an average temperature of 25,02°C (77,04°F), surpassing 2023's record, as climate change drives increased disasters like droughts and floods, according to Brazil's weather agency
Europe Poland Polish surgeons performed a record 2.197 organ transplants last year, according to data from Poltransplant, the Polish Transplant Coordination Centre, beating the previous high of 1.805 procedures in 2023