Asia Georgia The EU annual Report on Human Rights and Democracy in the World noted “severely curtailed” human rights in Georgia, reduced bilateral political contacts and dialogue between Brussels and Tbilisi amid “significant democratic backsliding”
Europe Croatia HaHaHouse was opened on Gajeva Street in Zagreb, on International Laughter Day, and is the first museum in the world dedicated exclusively to laughter; over 40 different installations and exhibitions combine humour, art and technology
Europe Vatican City Over half a million pilgrims from across the globe have passed through St Peter’s Basilica's Holy Door since the Jubilee Year 2025 began two weeks ago
America Dominican Republic Business unions express concern over Senate approval of an amendment to the Integrated Management and Co-Processing of Solid Waste Act, saying there was no adequate public consultation and fair representation in discussions by the productive sectors
Europe Albania New regulations will allow Albanians living outside the country to cast postal ballots in the May parliamentary elections – a change long sought by most parties as well as called for by the diaspora
Europe Bulgaria Encroachments in Bulgarian forest areas decreased by over 60% in 2024 compared to 2023, said the Ministry of Agriculture and Food; 631.000 inspections were carried out in 2024
Europe Andorra The start of negotiations on the Andorran Health Service (SAAS) collective agreement continues to be postponed due to the provisional situation of the SAAS works council, awaiting renovation; backlog at negotiating table already amounts to almost 2 months
Africa Burundi 50 postgraduate students pursuing a master's degree at the University of Burundi were awarded a scholarship by the Chinese ambassadors, calling the initiative 'a strong sign of international solidarity and a strategic investment'.
Africa Tunisia The 100-seat travelling cinema Cinématdour, run by a private cultural organisation, Agora, and a non-profit organisation, Focus Gabès, continues to tour the country, opening up to those who have no money to pay for a ticket or get to a cinema
Asia Palestine The number of victims of the war in the Gaza Strip as reported by Ministry of Health may be underestimated by at least 40%: the actual death toll may have already exceeded 70.000, according to analyses by London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
Europe Moldova As of the New Year, euro has become the new base currency instead of US dollar: the National Bank of Moldova will set the exchange rate between it and the euro on a daily basis; this will not affect the exchange rate but will lead to savings for citizens
Europe Latvia The supervision committee of the Bank of Latvia issued an electronic money institution operating license to company Paytegra, granting the operator the right to issue electronic money and offer payment instruments
Oceania Australia The UN Human Rights Committee has ruled that Australia has violated the rights of asylum seekers held in migrant centres set up by its government in neighbouring countries, in breach of its international treaty obligations
Europe Slovenia Slovenians voted genocide (genocid) as the word that most marked 2024, while the sign language gesture of the year is peace and preturizem (overtourism) became the new word of the year 2024