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
Africa Eritrea President Isaias Afwerki and President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia held extensive talks in Asmara focusing on the consolidation of bilateral ties; the two leaders underlined the importance of Somalia's stability for the entire Horn of Africa
Asia Lebanon Three students from the American University of Beirut launched a donation campaign, called 'Hope for Our Lebanon', to support displaced Lebanese families by distributing food, sanitary boxes and clothes
Europe United Kingdom In his annual Christmas speech, King Charles addressed a personal message of gratitude to the health workers who supported him during his cancer treatment; he called for unity, saying that ethnic and faith diversity is a sign of "strength, not weakness"
Africa Benin The country intends to sell up to 40% of its stake in Banque Internationale pour l'Industrie et le Commerce through an initial public offering to finance various development projects, aiming to raise $192,3 million offering up to 23,1 million shares
America Bolivia A soybean processing plant will be inaugurated in San Julián, Santa Cruz, with an investment of over US$60 million, covering 26% of the national demand for crude oil and 34% for refined oil, starting production in February 2025
America United States President Biden signed a law making the white-headed sea eagle the official symbol of the United States, after it had been the country's symbol for more than two centuries, although not formalised
America Brazil Christ the Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro's iconic statue, is at the center of a debate as a bill proposes transferring its management from federal oversight to the Catholic Church, raising concerns over governance while aiming to improve its revenues
Europe Bosnia and Herzegovina Due to the heavy snowfall over the past few days, around 200.000 homes were left without electricity, motorways have been closed and rail services disrupted; snowfall also made made difficult the operation of domestic heating and drinking water systems
America Argentina Plans to make the country a leader in nuclear energy, starting with a small modular reactor at Atucha, and using domestic technology with US investments, have been announced bu President Javier Milei
Africa Mozambique Over 1.500 inmates have escaped from a Maputo prison after breaking through a wall, taking advantage of anti-government protests that have been going on for two months and have spread further since Frelimo's victory was confirmed
America Bahamas FxPro Group's digital bank Bankpro has launched a private digital bank for individuals and businesses, regulated by the Central Bank of The Bahamas, which will include investment and trading tools
Africa Sudan Famine in Sudan has expanded to five areas and will likely spread to another five by May, the global hunger monitor reported, while warring parties continue to disrupt humanitarian aid needed to alleviate one of the worst starvation crises in modern times
Asia Brunei Brunei's gross domestic product grew by 6% year-on-year in Q3 2024, driven by a 12,9% expansion in the oil and gas sector, while the non-O&G sector grew by 0,3%