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
Europe Switzerland Drivers will be allowed to use self-driving technology on Swiss motorways and let go of their steering wheel starting 1 March 2025; following the decree recently adopted by Federal Council, they must be ready to take control at any time
Africa Equatorial Guinea After recording an increase in defaults by the owners of social housing, a commission will be set up to visit homes and ascertain that the occupants of the homes are the true owners; the government is also considering to start with evictions
Europe Finland On New Year's Eve, a demonstration took place in the Helsinki metro with over 200 protesters gathering to oppose the imminent increase in public transport fares by Helsinki Region Transport
Oceania Samoa Samoa Airways has been ordered to shift from the international terminal at Faleolo Airport to the new USD9,12 million regional terminal; the airline reportedly said it was not given any choice and the change will impact its services to and from Pago Pago
Europe Austria The liberal party NEOS announced the abandonment of negotiations to form a coalition government together with the centre-right People's Party and the centre-left Social Democratic Party; in September the extreme right failed to form a coalition government
Africa South Sudan Malual Bol Kiir, a South Sudanese Peace and Human rights activist, has made public his wishes for a 2025 of hope, renewal, and collective resolve calling for a responsible, active role of the people to set a lasting foundation for peace and prosperity
Asia Armenia Armenia border guards will now carry out controls at Agarak checkpoint on the border with Iran; PM thanked the Border Guard Troops of the Russian Federation that carried out border control at Agarak checkpoint since Armenia's independence in 1991
Africa Comoros More than 108.000 direct beneficiaries will benefit from the activities of the 'Agricultural Value Chain' project, launched in Idjinkudzi, Dimani region, to strengthen agricultural systems and climate-smart value chains
Europe Bulgaria In the historic town of Koprivshtitsa, 591 songbirds of a protected species died due to stress caused by fireworks on New Year's Eve, environmentalists from 'Green Balkans' reported
America Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Government called on global leaders to urgently negotiate peace, writing in quest for justice, security, prosperity for all humanity, grounded in the fundamental tenets of international law, precepts of the Charter of the UN and multilateral engagement
Asia Jordan As Jordan braces for its winter peak, authorities have implemented precautionary measures to help farmers safeguard their livelihoods against the challenges posed by frost and heavy rainfall, as this year’s unpredictable conditions have amplified concerns
Africa Burundi The Independent National Electoral Commission rejected all the candidatures of the only opposition political coalition 'Burundi Bwa Bose' and the main opposition party CNL
Europe Montenegro Montenegro is holding three days of mourning after a gunman killed 12 people, including two children, in the city of Cetinje – the worst mass shooting in the country’s history; the perpetrator of the murders committed suicide