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
Europe Iceland The new Icelandic government that took office on Saturday has made it part of its programme to organise a referendum on EU membership by 2027, giving substance to a debate that is rather heated in the country
Africa Tanzania 17 training centres in Kiswahili abroad were opened to promote the global use of the language; in addition, the government built 30 training centres in the country
Oceania Tonga With a total budget of 19,6 million panga (7,5 million euros) over five years, the Tonga Australia Resilient Communities programme will fund community-led infrastructure projects, including cyclone shelters and water supply systems
Africa Sao Tome and Principe The PM said he was concerned about the waterfront redevelopment work in the capital after identifying "many defects" that will require adjustments and additional funding that have not yet been secured
Africa Eritrea Over 161.000 chickens will be distributed to poultry farmers across the country in an effort by the Ministry of Agriculture to improve food security and increase access to nutritious products
Europe Hungary 800 disadvantaged primary school children from Hungary and Hungarian communities from across the Carpathian Basin were hosted at the Parliament's Christmas party with the involvement of the International Child Safety Service
Europe Estonia Services accounted for 68% of Estonian GDP 15 years ago and this year they will reach 74,5%; the service sector of the economy is growing steadily, while the share of industrial activities is declining
Asia Uzbekistan The 10% excise tax on mobile communication services will be abolished starting January 1, 2025; the announcement was made after reviewing the country's progress in 2023 and in the frame of key plans for 2025 to support entrepreneurship
America Grenada The country officially signed the UN Treaty on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction
Asia Syria The United States removed the $10 million bounty it had placed on the capture of Ahmed al Sharaa, or Abu Mohammed al Jolani, the leader of Hayat Tahrir al Sham
America Jamaica Notable increases in arrests and seizure are the result of tackling praedial larceny - theft of agri produce or livestock from farms or land -, an issue in many rural communities that causes losses to farmers and disrupts local food supply chains
Europe Germany The Bundestag has approved an amendment to the Basic Law to protect the Federal Constitutional Court; key provisions regarding the structure and functioning of Germany’s supreme court have now been incorporated in the constitution
Europe Slovenia Nazi and fascist symbols will be banned under the amendments passed by the National Assembly; the opposition failed to pass the proposal to extend the ban to communist symbols