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 Angola Angolan Hariana Verás is first African journalist to officially join the select group of correspondents recognised and accredited by the Pentagon
Africa Morocco The country voted for the first time in the UN assembly in favour of the moratorium on the application of the death penalty; Morocco's adherence to this moratorium had been announced on 9 December in the House of Representatives by the Minister of Justice
Africa Gambia The West African Economic Community ECOWAS approved the establishment of a special tribunal to try crimes committed in The Gambia during the military dictatorship of Yahya Jammeh
Europe Ireland PM Harris says Israel's decision to close its embassy in Dublin is 'deeply regrettable' and a sign of the 'diplomacy of distraction', adding Ireland will continue to engage diplomatically, but keep affirming its position on the war in Gaza
Asia Yemen In response to the Houthi launch of a missile towards Israel, which was intercepted by Israeli defence systems, the Israeli army carried out a series of attacks in Yemen against several Houthi-controlled areas
Africa Burkina Faso The first 44 gold bars from the processing of the fine coal from the Essakane gold mine have been handed over in Ouagadougou, destined to the national reserve; the Transition authorities envision to create wealth through the expertise in mining processing
Africa Uganda A Ugandan court ordered the government to compensate with USD 2.740 each victim of Thomas Kwoyelo, a commander of the Lord's Resistance Army who was sentenced to 40 years in prison for war crimes in October
Oceania Micronesia A Memorandum of Understanding for the State of Pohnpei was signed to support the Blue Prosperity Micronesia program; the MoU initiates the development of a legally-binding Marine Spatial Plan for Pohnpei’s waters from 0–12 nautical miles
America Barbados Two cases of Oropouche virus, both involving adults, were officially reported; the Pan American Health Organization had recently raised concerns about the spread of Oropouche virus in the Americas, along with dengue and avian flu
Africa Democratic Republic of the Congo The country has filed a complaint against Apple's subsidiaries in Belgium and France accusing them of sourcing the minerals essential for the production of devices from the many illegal mines in the country, and thus being complicit in those crimes
Africa Eswatini An unprecedented record number of people were seen at this year's Incwala Main Day, held at the Royal Residence in Ludzidzini - Incwala Festival is most important cultural event in Eswatini, a ceremony that has lasted for hundreds of years
America Venezuela The UN's human rights office in Venezuela has partially resumed operations after being expelled earlier this year, amid ongoing concerns over political violence, with the UN calling for investigations into deaths during post-election protests
America Antigua and Barbuda The Salvation Army launched its annual Christmas hamper distribution programme, with the aim of providing basic necessities to almost 1.000 families; 2024 was the first time this included Barbuda in 60 years