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
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 Austria The Austrian Cultural Forum in Beijing and the Austrian Embassy in China recently opened an art exhibition in Beijing entitled Vienna Calling
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
America Suriname Desi Bouterse, Suriname's former dictator and twice-elected leader, known for his 1980 coup, polarizing legacy, convictions for murder and drug trafficking, died at 79, leaving a lasting but contentious impact on the nation’s history
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 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
Europe Finland Fingrid, state-owned company operating the electricity grid in Finland, said that the transmission of electricity between Finland and Estonia via the Estlink 2 link is currently interrupted due to a fault of unknown origin for the time being
Africa Guinea Guinea's active forces, a bloc of political parties and civil society organisations, have announced a series of peaceful demonstrations that they intend to organise from 6 January 2025, calling for the establishment of a civil transition
Africa Cameroon At a centre for unarmed and demobilised fighters in the Far North region of Cameroon, former Boko Haram fighters receive new skills to help them lead productive lives as civilians
Africa Eswatini Eswatini is taking concrete steps to prepare its first public radiotherapy centre to allow cancer patients to be treated in the country, according to a team of international experts appointed by the IAEA, WHO and IARC
Africa Lesotho Calls on the government to intensify efforts in combating corruption, bolst press freedom and uphold the rule of law came from the Chargé d’Affaires at the US Embassy in Maseru while presentating Lesotho’s 2025 Millennium Challenge Corporation scorecard
Europe Estonia To contrast the city's off-season slump, Pärnu entrepreneurs have proposed building an indoor bathing facility downtown
Oceania Fiji Fiji Police Forces have imposed travel restrictions in the city of Nadi, severely affected by continuous rains