America

Desi Bouterse, Suriname's former dictator and twice-elected leader, known for his 1980 coup, polarizing legacy, convictions for murder and drug trafficking, died at 79, leaving a lasting but contentious impact on the nation’s history

President Biden signed a law making the white-headed sea eagle the official symbol of the United States, after it had been the country's symbol for more than two centuries, although not formalised

FxPro Group's digital bank Bankpro has launched a private digital bank for individuals and businesses, regulated by the Central Bank of The Bahamas, which will include investment and trading tools

Richland Park, won the 2024 National Christmas Lighting competition as Best Lit Community, while the perennial winner, Point Village on North Windward, finished second this year

Rosana John-Mitchell, a lawyer and passionate food blogger, has joined Michelle Hood-Julien, a US-based occupational therapist, to create a children's book that shines a spotlight on Grenada's rich culinary traditions

The Ministry of Health, Wellness, and Elderly Affairs, through its Elderly Affairs Unit, is raising awareness about the impact of loneliness on seniors and encouraging the public to take proactive steps to support the emotional well-being of older persons

At least 207 people were killed by members of the Wharf Jeremie gang in the port district of Cite Soleil in Haiti earlier this month, the United Nations said in a report upwardly revising an initial toll

The country officially signed the UN Treaty on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction

Eight MPs were named Ministers in a long-expected cabinet shuffle coming after a dramatic week that began with the shock exit of Chrystia Freeland who resigned  from Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister

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

Taking into account an increase in the number of diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder in St. Kitts and Nevis, the Ministry of Education intends to place greater emphasis on this condition in the upcoming year 2025

Heavy rainfall, not usual in December, triggered flooding, flash flooding, landslides, road interruptions and power outages in several villages across Tobago

Two cases of Oropouche virus, both involving adults, were officially reported; the Pan American Health Organization had recently raised concerns about the spread of Oropouche virus in the Americas, along with dengue and avian flu