Oceania Solomon Islands With newly improved roads in Auki, provincial police appealed to drivers in Malaita to use responsibility and greater care in driving; reckless driving had reportedly increased since works began, forcing to monitor underage drivers and speeding vehicles
Asia Uzbekistan All pharmacies and hospitals in Uzbekistan will have to pay VAT as of 1 April 2025, regardless of income
Oceania Marshall Islands The RMI ship registry in 2024 kept its 3rd position among largest ship registries in the world by gross tonnage, deadweight tonnage and number of vessels operating under its authority; the result is mainly driven by its flexible registry and low taxes
Africa Tunisia Reported investments in the industrial sector increased by 3,7% last year compared to the same period in 2023, according to data from the Agricultural Investment Promotion Agency
Oceania Nauru The first electric bus came into operation in the Yaren district, showing the commitment of the government to reduce emissions and promote sustainable energy solutions
Asia Saudi Arabia At the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals in Dhahran, a professional training programme in generative artificial intelligence was launched for 4.000 Saudi citizens, offered by the Gen AI Academy
Europe Italy As of Jan. 1, 2025, smoking is outlawed in “all public spaces, including streets” in Milan, and anyone who lights up outside designated spaces faces fines from €40 to €240; it is the toughest smoking ban in Italy, where nearly 25% of the population smokes
Asia Turkey 1.149 cultural artefacts have been repatriated to the country in 2024 and added to the over 13.000 objects returned to the country since 2002
Africa Seychelles The Seychelles Meteorological Authority launched its Strategic Plan 2025-2029, considering the increased demand for accurate and timely weather and climate services
Europe Belgium The sale of disposable electronic cigarettes is banned since 1 January 2025; Belgium thus became the first in the European Union to do so
Africa Mozambique Protests against the outcome of the 8 October presidential elections are suspended for 5 days to allow humanitarian workers and international bodies to assess the situation in the country, upon call of opposition leader Venancio Mondlane
Europe Sweden Most of Sweden's green energy transition infrastructure is planned in a region where the Sami live; one of the last indigenous peoples of Europe, they are now menaced by the impact on the habitat of reindeers, their most important source of income
Africa Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa has enacted the legislation to permanently abolish the death penalty, passed by the Senate two weeks ago; there were currently over 60 people sentenced to death in Zimbabwe
Africa Democratic Republic of the Congo Preliminary laboratory results suggest that the mystery disease spread in the country is a combination of common and seasonal viral respiratory infections and malaria, the World Health Organization said