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 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
America Mexico Mexico is reconsidering its stance on accepting migrants deported by the US, including those of other nationalities, in a reversal of President Sheinbaum's previous position, with plans to collaborate with the US on deportations
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
America Panama The number of migrants passing through Panama decreased by 42% in 2024, with 302.203 crossing the Darién Gap, down from 520.085 in 2023, attributed to stricter measures, though experts believe this won't address the root causes of migration
America Bahamas The Consultant Physicians Staff Association lamented the fact that an industry agreement has yet to be finalized over three years after the last one expired and called on the government to address the issue so that it is not “forced to take action"
Asia Malaysia Gerakan, the People’s Movement Party supporting inclusion, called for a review of the proposal to require halal certification for food outlets; Kelantan state, with a Muslim majority, seeks to enforce the policy, raising concerns for non-Muslim businesses
Africa Cameroon Locally produced maize, yam, cassava and plantain flours are now exempt from Value Added Tax under the new policy outlined in the Finance Act 2025 and confirmed by the Directorate General of Taxes to reduce the average impact of current VAT at 19,25%
Asia Azerbaijan The Zangezur corridor must and will be opened, noted President Aliyev, and Armenia should not act as a geographical barrier between Türkiye and Azerbaijan, but as an element of peace and cooperation in the South Caucasus instead
America Cuba The small company MOROPO SURL, from Camagüey, is working on modernising the passenger information system at Ignacio Agramonte International Airport
Asia Georgia The country imported 1.283 tonnes of fireworks and other pyrotechnic products for a total value of US$8,5 million in the first 11 months of 2024, up 51% in value and 108% in volume
Asia Philippines Baguio has launched the 2025 Panagbenga Festival, a month-long celebration showcasing the city’s rich floral heritage; the festival features the Grand Float Parade, street dancing, and “Session Road in Bloom” attracting local and international tourists
Africa Sierra Leone The Cricket Sierra Leone is preparing to host the first training course for 20 ICC-certified Level 1 cricket coaches/tutors this January 2025 with two cricket experts from the International Cricket Council
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