America Guatemala Indigenous communities in Guatemala are facing a high 18% illiteracy rate and have launched initiatives like floating schools—classrooms on boats reaching remote areas—but struggle as many children are pulled from school to work in agriculture
Oceania Australia The 50th anniversary of Hobart’s Tasman Bridge disaster, that cost the life of 12 people, was commemorated in the weekend; the bridge was lit in bright white and at 9:27 pm, for 30 minutes, the area of impact of MV Lake Illawarra changed to a dark blue
America Haiti 75 soldiers sent from Guatemala and an advance team of 8 from El Salvador have arrived to join the international mission that is trying to counter criminal gangs supported by the UN and the US and led by Kenya
Asia Oman The second phase of the plastic bag ban in the Sultanate of Oman has begun on 1 January 2025; Environment Authority said this phase will focus on tightening restrictions on the use of single-use plastic bags
Africa Togo Sokodé, 350 km north of the capital, will host the 2nd edition of the International Horse Festival from 8 to 10 January 2025 to celebrate the rich equestrian tradition of the Tchaoudjo prefecture with almost 500 riders from Togo and neighbouring countries
Europe United Kingdom London Zoo is about to carry out the census of its over 20.000 individuals from 698 species of animals; the annual survey is expected to take about a week and results will be shared with zoos around the world to help manage global conservation programmes
America Grenada The Public Sector Employees Pension Fund Bill 2024 is now an Act of Parliament which came into effect on 1 January; it is described as 'unfavorable' by unions and as a violation of the public officers’ constitutional rights by several legal minds
Africa Tanzania The revolution in automotive fuel sector which is beginning to adopt CNG instead of petrol and diesel is being slowed down by lack of filling stations; given Tanzania's large reserves of gas under the sea, CNG can cost less than half of petrol equivalent
Asia Bhutan A transplant-policy change has been proposed to allow ABO-incompatible kidney transplants, offering hope to over 411 dialysis patients; the plan also suggests raising daily allowances for patients referred to India to approximately $4,65
Europe Iceland The Kennel Club will officially recognise the Icelandic sheepdog as a purebred breed in April 2025; the Icelandic sheepdog can trace its roots back some 1.000 years and was even mentioned in a play by William Shakespeare
Europe Andorra The end of the season festivities has been marked by long road queues: ice made leaving the mountain resorts difficult and main roads leading to Spain also registered a peak in traffic
Europe Ireland A historic gate in Dublin's Phoenix Park, removed last September after being hit by a council lorry, will be reinstated this month, the Office of Public Works said
America Dominica Dominica Water and Sewerage Company Limited announced that the physical implementation phase of the strategic water sector development project is approaching, after having been under consideration for a long time
America Canada Much of Canada is under a weather alert this weekend, with forecasts going from the -40°C in central areas to 110km/h winds on the Atlantic coasts, that would be also at risk of flooding due to heavy rain, and high waves