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 Azerbaijan As physical and technical interference appear to the cause of the crash-land that killed 38 people, Azimuth Airlines has cancelled flights to a number of Russian airports including Mineralnye Vody, Sochi, Volgograd, Ufa, Samara, Makhachkala, and Grozny
Europe Netherlands Traffic congestion in the Netherlands increased by 8% last year, according to new data from the ANWB motoring organisation, based on information from TomTom satellite navigation systems
Europe Norway Although the price of stamps has increased over the years, postal revenues do not cover the costs of delivery to residential addresses; daily delivery has already been discontinued and Norwegians only receive mail at home two or three days a week
Asia East Timor Independent study on the development of the Greater Sunrise gas project, conducted by company Wood earlier this year confirms that developing it in East Timor waters is feasible and would be provide significant economic and social benefits
Asia China The World Bank, in its latest economic update on China, revised upwards - even though minimally - its economic growth forecast for 2024 to 4,9%
America Venezuela Venezuela freed all minors detained in post-election protests, but over 1.800 political prisoners remain, marking this end of the year as the one with the highest number of such detainees
Asia Kuwait The Cabinet approved a draft decree-law imposing a 15% tax on multinational entities operating in multiple jurisdictions, aligning with global tax regulations to curb tax evasion and ensure revenue retention, coming into force on 1 January 2025
America Colombia Colombia set a record in 2024 with 6,2 million international visitors, surpassing projections and highlighting its appeal as a top Latin American destination, driven by its culture, natural beauty and also sustainable tourism efforts
America Costa Rica An international group of surfing missionaries arrived in Costa Rica, connecting the spiritual allure of surfing with faith, as they share their message with surfers seeking both the perfect wave and deeper meaning
Asia Lebanon Three students from the American University of Beirut launched a donation campaign, called 'Hope for Our Lebanon', to support displaced Lebanese families by distributing food, sanitary boxes and clothes
America Ecuador Diplomatic and consular services for Ecuador in Venezuela will be taken over by Switzerland, as the bilateral relations between the two South American nations have been broken
Asia Palestine Journalists Faisal Abu al-Qumsan, Ayman al-Jadi, Ibrahim al-Sheikh Khalil, Fadi Hassouna and Mohammed al-Lada'a were killed by the Israeli army while they were sleeping in their truck marked as "press"; over 200 registered journalists have now been killed
Africa Botswana 400 elephant hunting licenses have been issued on top of permits for other species amid fresh opposition from conservationists; international hunters pay up to $50.000 to obtain a license in order to hunt an elephant