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”
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 Saint Kitts and Nevis Home and business owners on Nevis will benefit from new initiatives announced by the Administration aimed at incentivizing the construction sector through expanded concessions on building materials for property renovations, expansions or developments
Europe North Macedonia Sashko Nasev, ambassador at the North Macedonian embassy to China, won the Global Fred Award for his contributions on international stages in the field of cultural outreach and education
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
Europe France A special 32 pages double edition of satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo will be available from today in 300.000 copies to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the attack to the magazine headquarters; 20 people died in consequence of the act
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
Africa Ethiopia More than 30 houses collapsed in Awash Fentale, Afar region, as tremors continue to hit north-eastern areas, forcing many inhabitants to flee their homes and seek refuge in neighbouring areas; recurring earthquakes have caused extensive material damage
Europe Slovakia The return rate of beverage containers in Slovakia remains consistently above 90% according to the administrator of the deposit return system
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 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'
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
Asia Qatar With major political events occurring in the Middle East, Qatar, a regional diplomatic heavyweight, saw a year 2024 full of political events: from mediation efforts in conflicts to the reopening of its embassy in Damasco following restored ties with Syria