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
Europe Romania In connection to full accession to the Schengen area, Romania will close over 30 checkpoints on its borders with Hungary and Bulgaria following last vote of EU Justice and Home Affairs Council that ruled the abolition of land controls as of 1 January 2025
Europe Spain The census revealed that 1.038.671 people born in the Spanish-speaking countries of the Americas now reside in the Madrid region; only 25 years ago, they were 81.552
Europe Germany The state music councils in Germany choose an instrument of the year every year, and in 2025 it is the human voice: from singing to speaking, from whispering to shouting, these sounds can also be used musically and creativity can be expressed through them
Europe Albania Durazzo-Tirana on 9 May 2025 will be the first of three Albanian stages that will kick off the 108th edition of the Giro d'Italia - an iconic annual multiple-stage bicycle race; the Giro will start abroad for the 15th time in its century long history
Asia Maldives The National Disaster Management Council has approved the 'Maldives Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy 2024-2030', which focuses primarily on protecting the environment and safeguarding against natural and other disasters
Africa Morocco New protections for women and the family will be included in the legislation, with reference to polygamy, a ban on marriage for children under 18, and new, more protective provisions during divorce
Asia Taiwan Free single-use toiletries are banned in hotels from today 1 January 2025, for obvious environmental reasons; the move is expected to impact over 14.000 hotel operators on top of the relative supply chain
Africa Ethiopia Malaria continues to pose a public health risk in Ethiopia, reaching 'epidemic proportions' with an average of 'over 300.000 cases' reported weekly across the country, the WHO stated
Africa Uganda The foundation stone of what will become the most important temple of the Russian Orthodox Church in Africa was consecrated in the city of Kiboga; the Russian Orthodox Church is seeing a rapid expansion in Uganda
Africa Sudan 28 trucks of food and medical supplies have reached Jebel Awliya, facing starvation since area access was cut off; it’s the first since the beginning of the civil war in 2023, a result of negotiations between UN and local associations with warring parties
Africa Zambia Mining operations at the Kagem emerald mine will be suspended from today 1 January 2025 due to the disrupted dynamics in the emerald market, which have been triggered by an oversupply of Zambian emeralds at discounted prices during the latter half of 2024
Europe Liechtenstein In view of the Principality elections of 9 February, the Liechtenstein Institute is launching the "Elections 2025" series of events this January 2025 to cover what it call 'election year' for the number of countries choosing their representatives
Oceania Kiribati Like every year, Kiribati has been the first country to celebrate New Year's Eve; neighbouring island of Baker, separated by a stretch of sea of just 1179 km, will be the last