Africa Sierra Leone Sierra Leoneans express tolerant attitudes toward different religion (93%), ethnicity (93%), affiliation (87%), nationality (92%), refugees (79%) and say governments should promote regional and ethnic balance in political appointments, Afrobarometer shows
America Panama The Panama Canal will remain under Panamanian control, reaffirmed Arsenio Dominguez, head of the International Maritime Organization, rejecting US President-elect Donald Trump's hints at using military force to claim the canal
Asia Uzbekistan The draft state programme for 2025, published for public input, includes an item proposing to assess the degree of corruption propensity of at least 500 senior civil servants and those in reserve for these positions
Africa Central African Republic Amid an aggravating shortage of fuel and lubricants, Central African Republic will receive a shipment of 30.000 tonnes of diesel from Russia
America Nicaragua Nicaragua swore in 2.500 masked "volunteer police" under a controversial reform expanding government control, sparking criticism as exiled opposition calls them "paramilitaries" and decries the move as bolstering Ortega and Murillo's authoritarian regime
Oceania Vanuatu At least 12.500 children in Vanuatu have to start the school year in temporary learning centres after earthquakes in December destroyed or damaged over 100 classrooms
Africa Guinea-Bissau Guinea-Bissau's High Commissioner for the Islamic Pilgrimage to Mecca and Saudi Arabia's Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah signed an agreement formalising the participation of 751 Guinean worshippers in the event to be held in May from 26 to 11 June
Europe Montenegro The government adopted proposals for 14 new heads of diplomatic and consular missions in Montenegro
Africa Eritrea Members of the Central Region Taxi Owners' Association, the Sawa Construction Company's central office and the National Security Agency office collectively donated 173 units of blood for National Blood Transfusion Service stocks
Europe North Macedonia Employees of the Ministries of Culture, the Environment, European Affairs, Digital Transformation, Transport and Communications and the Economy staged a protest, demanding a 30% salary increase and the signing of a collective labour agreement
Oceania Solomon Islands Australia's Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, Richard Marles, travelled to the Solomon Islands for a series of high-level talks, meeting Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele and other government ministers
Oceania Micronesia The FSM welcomed the Minister of State for External Affairs of the Republic of India, for a historic visit from January 18 to 21, 2025; it is the first official visit by an Indian Minister of State to the FSM
America Peru International tourism rose by 29% in 2024, totaling 3,2 million visitors entering Peru; Chile, the US, and Europe were the key sources
Asia East Timor The country is set to host the 12th edition of the Sports Games of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries, to be held in Dili between 17 and 25 July