America

The IMF has urged El Salvador to reduce its reliance on Bitcoin and strengthen its regulation of digital assets, warning of financial stability risks, although President Bukele remains committed to Bitcoin's long-term economic benefits

Honduras has extended the partial state of emergency, initially implemented in December 2022 to reduce criminal violence, for another 45 days, as the country continues to face high homicide rates, with over 3.600 murders reported from January

The Belize Fisheries Department has officially reminded the public of regulations for the Queen Conch season, which runs until June 2025; the restrictions include a ban on harvesting or possessing conch

This week Chile celebrated World Tourism Day 2024 with a historic record, having welcomed nearly 3 million foreign tourists this year, surpassing pre-pandemic levels

In Costa de los Pájaros, a group of 15 women are turning discarded fish skins into leather for sustainable fashion, creating jewelry and hoping to expand into items like handbags and shoes, with aspirations to reach international markets

The Argentinian court has formally requested Interpol to issue an arrest warrant for Venezuelan President Maduro and Interior Minister Cabello for crimes against humanity including systematic repression and persecution of dissidents since 2014

Lymphatic filariasis has been successfully eliminated as a public health problem in Brazil, a significant achievement in combating neglected tropical diseases; this accomplishment, recognized by the WHO, comes after decades of efforts

The Marcus Garvey in Schools project, which aims to bring children to an understanding of their history and cultural heritage, has been extended to 23 primary schools

Outrage grows in north-east Haiti over the deportation of unaccompanied Haitian children; human rights organisations have urged the Dominican Republic to respect treaties and conventions on the deportation of minors

People across Canada attended gatherings to mark the 4th National Day for Truth and Reconciliation; the day, also known as Orange Shirt Day, officially honours residential school survivors and Indigenous cultures as steps toward reconciliation

The New York City Council passed a bill allowing pedestrians to cross the street at any time without adhering to traffic signals, it has now 30 days to became law if not vetoed by the Mayor; illegal since 1958, jaywalking carried a fine of up to $250

Panama City commissioners declared a 72-hour state of emergency due to Hurricane Helene, with the option to extend it, allowing officials to enhance storm preparedness, track resources, and ensure a swift response if the storm intensifies