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
Africa Gambia 'Musoolutaa', the first resource app for women to find information on health, safety, job opportunities, access to the women's enterprise fund, was launched by the Ministry for Gender, Children and Social Welfare
Oceania Samoa Samoa Airways has been ordered to shift from the international terminal at Faleolo Airport to the new USD9,12 million regional terminal; the airline reportedly said it was not given any choice and the change will impact its services to and from Pago Pago
Europe Finland On New Year's Eve, a demonstration took place in the Helsinki metro with over 200 protesters gathering to oppose the imminent increase in public transport fares by Helsinki Region Transport
Europe Portugal The Convent of Christ in Tomar, a World Heritage monument, will undergo two requalification projects in 2025 for 5,2 million euros, fully funded by the Recovery and Resilience Plan to "give new functional values and qualified visiting conditions"
Africa Eswatini 15 rapes were recorded during the festive period from 25 December to 1 January, the Police Information and Communications Officer commented the number as 'shocking', confirming rape cases have been on the rise in Eswatini comparing 2024 to 2023
Africa Equatorial Guinea After recording an increase in defaults by the owners of social housing, a commission will be set up to visit homes and ascertain that the occupants of the homes are the true owners; the government is also considering to start with evictions
Africa Djibouti Four employees were selected for punctuality, attendance, efficiency and personal involvement and awarded certificates of recognition to its best employees of the year 2024 in a ceremony organized by the Ministry of Energy
Asia Brunei Muslims in Brunei can now pay zakat harta - a form of almsgiving and a religious obligation, next after prayer in importance - on their account through eZakat Harta Wang Simpanan platform, promoted in alignment with the Digital Economy Master Plan 2025
Asia Bahrain Bahrain’s Alba, aluminium smelter, will continue pursuing mergers and acquisitions, particularly in Europe, after its multi-billion-dollar agreement with Saudi Arabian Mining Company Maaden will be officially signed, presumably in the first half of 2025
Europe Croatia In response to last month's knife attack at Zagreb's Prečko primary schools, which tragically resulted in the death of one child and the injury of several others, the country has introduced new security measures to increase safety in schools
Europe Switzerland Drivers will be allowed to use self-driving technology on Swiss motorways and let go of their steering wheel starting 1 March 2025; following the decree recently adopted by Federal Council, they must be ready to take control at any 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
Asia Armenia Armenia border guards will now carry out controls at Agarak checkpoint on the border with Iran; PM thanked the Border Guard Troops of the Russian Federation that carried out border control at Agarak checkpoint since Armenia's independence in 1991