America Honduras President Xiomara Castro formally denounced right-wing disinformation campaigns amid protests, defending her government’s progress since 2022 in reducing poverty and inequality in Honduras after 12 years of narco-linked rule
America Canada Under growing pressure from his own party, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced he will step down and end his nine-year stretch as party leader when his Liberal Party will choose a new leader and that parliament would be prorogued until 24 March
Asia Jordan The volume of goods that entered Syria and Lebanon through Jordan has amounted to 214.000 tonnes in 2024, compared to 150.000 tonnes in 2023; the figure represents a 40% increase of trade activity in the Jordanian-Syrian Joint Free Zone
Asia Pakistan Under Pakistan’s Hajj Policy 2025, women can perform Hajj without a male guardian, but with previous written consent from a parent or spouse and in the company of trustworthy female companions
Asia Vietnam 41 organ donations from brain-dead individuals have ben performed in 2024, surpassing the combined total of the previous three years and reaching over 9.500 organ transplants nationwide since 1992, with demand for organ transplants still exceeding supply
Asia Singapore The sanctuary for old and sick pets aims at reducing caregiver fatigue and hold off pet euthanasia, providing end-of-life care, medical treatment, rehabilitation, emotional support; it also runs awareness campaigns and promotes compassionate pet care
Asia Japan One year since a powerful earthquake struck the Noto Peninsula leaving at least 500 dead, efforts toward full recovery continue in the hardest-hit areas; some 21.000 residents in Ishikawa Prefecture remain evacuated or in temporary housing
Asia Laos Vientiane’s top tourist sites - including Patuxai Monument, That Luang Stupa, and Buddha Park - attracted over 300.000 visitors in 2024, reflecting a strong recovery in Laos’s tourism sector; targeted campaigns will aim at further boosting tourism in 2025
Asia Nepal In Janakpur, southeast Nepal, many transgender individuals live in hijra gharanas, traditional communities led by a guru; they earn through ceremonial performance but face harassment, inadequate social inclusion, discrimination and limited healthcare
America Suriname Suriname's Ministry of Health is set for major transformations in 2025, including a new building, ten more ambulances to enhance emergency response, and a focus on digitizing healthcare services for improved efficiency and accessibility
Asia Myanmar Military leaders enacted a cybersecurity law on 1 January 2025 that among other measures tightens internet control, bans VPNs, requires platforms to store user data for 3 years and enforces compliance with the motivation of curbing disinformation
Asia Thailand e-cigarettes and e-baraku (electronic hookahs) have been added to prohibited items for students, like traditional cigarettes; Ministry of Education enforced penalties, including warnings, probation, and behavioral interventions, to curb rising student use
America Peru Peru completed its inaugural blueberry shipment to China via the new Port of Chancay, reaching Shanghai and Hong Kong in 23 days, showcasing the port's efficiency and enhancing Peru's agricultural exports
Africa Cape Verde 13 confirmed dengue fever cases, no casualties, were reported in the first days of 2025; 2024 was dubbed by media 'the year of the return of the Dengue': to curb infections, health Authorities visited over 6.000 patients in 1.000 households