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
Africa Malawi Tachilowa, iconic song by veteran singer Peter Sambo, is poised to be the hit on New Year’s Day; released in 2003 it is since then, every January 1st, a beacon of hope that lights the way for the year ahead
Europe Liechtenstein In view of the Principality elections of 9 February, the Liechtenstein Institute is launching the "Elections 2025" series of events this January 2025 to cover what it call 'election year' for the number of countries choosing their representatives
Asia Maldives The National Disaster Management Council has approved the 'Maldives Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy 2024-2030', which focuses primarily on protecting the environment and safeguarding against natural and other disasters
Europe Germany The state music councils in Germany choose an instrument of the year every year, and in 2025 it is the human voice: from singing to speaking, from whispering to shouting, these sounds can also be used musically and creativity can be expressed through them
Europe Albania Durazzo-Tirana on 9 May 2025 will be the first of three Albanian stages that will kick off the 108th edition of the Giro d'Italia - an iconic annual multiple-stage bicycle race; the Giro will start abroad for the 15th time in its century long history
Africa Uganda The foundation stone of what will become the most important temple of the Russian Orthodox Church in Africa was consecrated in the city of Kiboga; the Russian Orthodox Church is seeing a rapid expansion in Uganda
Europe Romania In connection to full accession to the Schengen area, Romania will close over 30 checkpoints on its borders with Hungary and Bulgaria following last vote of EU Justice and Home Affairs Council that ruled the abolition of land controls as of 1 January 2025
Asia Japan Emperor Naruhito, first emperor born after the war, and Empress Masako will visit Hiroshima and war-related sites in 2025 to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, and pass on the tragic memories to young generations in the pursuit of peace
Africa Sudan 28 trucks of food and medical supplies have reached Jebel Awliya, facing starvation since area access was cut off; it’s the first since the beginning of the civil war in 2023, a result of negotiations between UN and local associations with warring parties
Africa Morocco New protections for women and the family will be included in the legislation, with reference to polygamy, a ban on marriage for children under 18, and new, more protective provisions during divorce
Asia China Sales of electric vehicles in China are set to overtake those of conventional cars for the first time in 2025, with sales of electric vehicles expected to rise 20% this year to over 12 million units, more than double the 5,9 million of 2022
Europe Spain The census revealed that 1.038.671 people born in the Spanish-speaking countries of the Americas now reside in the Madrid region; only 25 years ago, they were 81.552
Oceania Kiribati Like every year, Kiribati has been the first country to celebrate New Year's Eve; neighbouring island of Baker, separated by a stretch of sea of just 1179 km, will be the last