Asia Indonesia Officials in East Jakarta faced backlash after using an AI-generated image to respond to a public complaint, raising concerns over transparency; The fact highlight risks of using AI in public communication without clear disclosure or verification
Europe Netherlands The increase in wages resulted in over €616 billion savings in 2024, an increase of €24,2 billion over the previous year, Nederlandsche Bank reported
America Suriname Suriname, with support from the Netherlands' Institute for Sound and Vision, is working to digitize its deteriorating audiovisual archives, safeguarding invaluable cultural heritage at risk due to tropical climate condition
Europe North Macedonia North Macedonian social media users are calling for a boycott of local markets today 31 January 2025, in protest against rising prices; similar boycotts have been organized in Croatia
Africa Morocco UN Tourism will open its first African office in Rabat, after an agreement was reached between UN Secretary General for Tourism Zurab Pololikashvili and Moroccan Minister of Tourism Fatim-Zahra Ammor
Africa Mauritania A memorandum of understanding was signed with Morocco on electricity and renewable energies to explore electricity interconnection and enhance cooperation between the two countries n line with the aspirations of both; a formal agreement is expected soon
America Saint Vincent and the Grenadines SVG continues to lead at the UN as Permanent Representative Her Excellency Ms. Inga Rhonda King has been appointed as co-facilitator for an open and transparent consultative process for the 2025 session of Economic and Social Council and Political Forum
Oceania Palau Aimeliik primary school students have now access to a music and dance programme, German-funded, that provides teaching, tools and practical training
Europe Romania Cluj-Napoca and Sibiu topped History T.R.A.I. index in 2024: the former has the highest total score based on objective indicators such as traffic, air quality and property prices, and the latter on 13 subjective criteria assessed by city residents
America Colombia After tensions over Colombia’s refusal to accept deportation flights, President Petro agreed to US terms, allowing 201 deportees to return, easing threats of mutual tariffs, which had alarmed Colombian exporters reliant on the US
Africa Uganda Uganda's micro, small and medium-sized enterprises account for as much as 90% of the private sector, employing over 3 million people; despite this key role, the sector faces systemic challenges that stifle its growth potential
Europe Spain The World Monuments Fund has chosen the city of Zaragoza as one of 25 locations around the world for which it will raise funds; the ruins of ancient Belchite are a Spanish Civil War memorial site, neglected in subsequent decades
America Panama Panama is developing a master plan for a cross-border train connecting David to Costa Rica, focusing on passenger, cargo, and tourism benefits, with US firm AECOM conducting studies to finalize the route, costs, and environmental impact
Africa Sierra Leone The country has been selected as a beneficiary of the Mission 300 initiative, a $50 billion programme that aims to electrify 300 million Africans by 2030 promoted by the African Development Bank, the World Bank Group and other global partners