Africa Somalia Newly elected speaker of Northeastern State vowed to reclaim portions of territory that are under the actual control of neighboring Somaliland and Puntland, thus renewing tensions in a region already fraught with decades-long territorial conflicts
Africa Somalia The UN authorised a new peacekeeping mission to continue supporting Somalia in its fight against al-Shabaab, the insurgent group affiliated with al-Qaida; it is not clear whether troops from neighboring Ethiopia will in the 12.626 personnel deployment
Asia Myanmar The collapse of public health infrastructure has left communities to address widespread trauma independently; Kawthoolei Care Hospital in Kayin is training community health workers to provide mental health support amid ongoing conflict and displacement
Europe North Macedonia The country in 2024 saw political change fuel fears of return to ethnic strife as the country’s biggest ethnic Albanian party, long used to power, was relegated to opposition benches and may stir up ethnic tension in a bid to regain its lost status
Asia Sri Lanka The prices of vegetables have risen sharply in several economic centers last week compared to the previous week, causing concerns among consumers and traders alike
Africa Eswatini The students registered for the examinations in 2024 amounted to 29.635, +11,21% on 2023 data, but the national pass rate in the EPC exams declined this year by approximately 1%
America Suriname The Fire Department Suriname did not come across any illegal fireworks during routine inspections that were carried out in Paramaribo; only one of the retailers whose stores were inspected was caught violating rules for selling mini crackers to minors
America Uruguay The surge in online shopping driven by the "Temu effect" has overwhelmed Uruguay's customs operations, doubling package volumes; the National Customs Directorate has enacted new measures to streamline processes
Asia Nepal In Karnali Province, pervasive poverty compels thousands to migrate to India for work, leaving behind villages populated mainly by women, children and the elderly; despite government efforts, significant progress remains elusive
Europe Ukraine As for 2025, I am very optimistic; there are objective factors for that, it will definitely be better than that," said Kiev's intelligence chief, Kyrylo Budanov
Africa Sierra Leone Despite suboptimal weather conditions in several areas, aggregate 2024 cereal production is forecast at 1,6 million tonnes, about 14% average of previous five years; the prospects reflect the impact of government support under the Feed Salone Strategy
Africa Mauritius The road safety campaign on drink and drug driving was launched in Port Louis in the presence of the Minister of Land Transport, Osman Cassam Mahomed
Africa Algeria Over 4.000 detainees have been pardoned this year by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune to mark the 70th anniversary of the independence war with France; Algerian journalist Ihsane El Kadi was also freed thanks to the initiative
America Venezuela Five Venezuelan opposition members taking refuge in the Argentine embassy in Caracas to avoid arrest say it has become a “prison”; as the residence has been without power for over a month, an adviser to opposition leader María Corina Machado said on X