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 Uruguay Uruguay's tourism sector is optimistic following Argentina's removal of the PAÍS tax, which eliminates several fees, boosting Uruguay’s appeal; benefits like VAT exemptions on hospitality, dining, and car rentals hope to further attract Argentine tourists
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
America Paraguay Paraguay set a record last year, exporting the highest amount of beef ever amounting to 353 million kilograms to 59 countries, generating over US$1,77 billion, with Chile as the top destination
Europe Romania Romania's accession to the US Visa Waiver Program will be made official today, Friday 10 January, during a ceremony at the Department of Homeland Security in Washington
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
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
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 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
Oceania Micronesia Representatives of the Federated States of Micronesia and the United States recently signed an extension of the Humanitarian Assistance Annex - FSM to the Military Use and Operational Rights Agreement until 30 September 2043
Africa Angola The country will host the African Men's and Women's Wheelchair Basketball Championships in January 2026, as confirmed by the Angolan Paralympic Committee
Europe Belarus In 2024, over 5.800 people were convicted in administrative political trials in Belarus, the Viasna Human Rights Defence Centre reported; independent analysts link this to the election campaign that began
America Guatemala Guatemala received its first four deportation flights of 2025 from the US, carrying 522 people, following a record 61.680 deportations in 2024, as expectations rise for the new US administration's immigration policies
Africa Libya The Ministry of Defence said it had launched an anti-crime military operation in the west coast military zone; any political objective was denied, and the operation is to be attributed only to maintaining security and stability in the area