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
America Mexico Over 11 million pilgrims visited Mexico City's Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe for the Virgin of Guadalupe celebration (9-13 December); many traveled from across Mexico and abroad, on foot or crawling, to honor the 493rd anniversary of her apparition
Oceania Micronesia The Yap Biosecurity Facility was officially handed over to the Yap State Government yesterday; the facility serves as a critical infrastructure in strengthening the FSM biosecurity efforts, managing invasive species and safeguarding local ecosystems
Asia Turkmenistan Turkmenistan Football Federation President and FFT Secretary General Serdar Geldiyev held a video conference with football club "Villarreal" to discuss cooperation in youth soccer development
Asia Tajikistan Consumer confidence index in Tajikistan rose to 150,9 points in November 2024, breaking a three-month decline, according to a study conducted by Freedom Finance Global
America Nicaragua UN experts have urged Nicaragua to end arbitrary arrests and forced disappearances, following reports of 229 torture cases, with many victims facing violent and inhumane treatment, while the government minimizes international criticism
Europe Montenegro EPCG, Montenegro's largest electric utility, is planning to launch a large-scale tender for battery energy storage by the end of 2024 for the supply of 300 MWh of battery systems
Asia Vietnam Da Nang’s People’s Committee plans to reclaim 300 hectares of sea to create Vietnam’s first integrated free trade zone; the project, a booster for economic development, is expected to contribute up to 25% of the city’s economic output by 2050
Asia Mongolia In 2024, Chinggis Khaan International Airport welcomed over 2 million passengers for the first time since its founding in 2021, reflecting a 6.5% increase in air travel, thus achieving a historic milestone for Mongolia
Oceania Marshall Islands Majuro recorded its second busiest month of the year in November, thanks to the resumption of tuna transshipment activities, with 23 transshipments, the highest since January
Asia Azerbaijan The Vatican Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations concluded his official visit to Azerbaijan -13 to 16 December- where his blessed the site and lay the foundation stone of a church dedicated to Saint John Paul II in Baku
Africa Libya A new political initiative aimed at resolving the political crisis has been announced by the UN Support Mission in Libya; with a technical committee of Libyan experts, it will identify steps and priorities for establishing a consensus-based government
Oceania Palau A spawning monitoring dive will be conducted the Koror State Government Department of Conservation Law and Enforcement through the Palau Pledge Dive Club as part of Koror State's Resilient Reef Initiative Sustainable Fisheries Project
Asia Palestine Palestinians have sued the State Department over US assistance to the Israeli military, accusing the Biden administration of violating US law prohibiting aid to military units involved in rights abuses