Europe Spain A political and cultural dispute erupted over Basque regional government's formal request to host Pablo Picasso’s anti-war painting Guernica for 9 months; 2027 marks 90th anniversary of the first Basque government and of the bombing of the town Guernica
America Guyana Guyana plans to ask the UN’s top court to intervene against Venezuela’s plan to elect a governor for the disputed Essequibo region, citing violations of a 2022 agreement, as the two nations continue their long-standing territorial dispute
Asia Turkmenistan The National Action Plan for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings in Turkmenistan was approved for the period 2025-2029; the bodies responsible for the activities of this plan have been instructed to regularly monitor its implementation
America Ecuador The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights has urged Ecuador to protect the right to life in prisons dominated by criminal gangs, citing 591 inmate deaths from violence since 2020 and calling for measures to ensure safety, accountability, and justice
America Uruguay Over 300.000 Argentine tourists have been welcomed this 2025, a 30% increase from last year, with Argentines making up 50% of total visitors, thanks to tax benefits and favorable payment options for non-residents
Africa Uganda The state-owned Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited will take control of electricity distribution from Umeme, marking the end of the latter's 20-year concession on 1 April 2025
Africa Zambia The Minister of Water Development and Sanitation announced proactive measures to prevent cholera outbreaks, while Lusaka Water Supply and Sanitation has prioritized peri-urban areas and City Council has enhanced solid waste management in high-risk areas
Africa Zimbabwe The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission has called for the introduction of mandatory prison sentences for persons convicted of corruption in order to deter crime and overcome difficulties in recovering assets
America Guatemala A three-phase program to support returning migrants, has been announced by President Bernardo Arévalo; it focuses on consular assistance, dignified reception with temporary shelters, and reintegration
Africa South Sudan South Sudan's Ministry of Energy and Dams has launched a five-year energy project, worth $53-million, aimed at increasing the access to electricity services and strengthening institutional capacity in the power sector
Africa Senegal The Higher Education Autonomous Union has announced that it will file a strike notice demanding that authorities fulfil their commitments to pay half of the deceased teachers' survivor's pension to widows and widowers
Oceania Nauru The country will charter a flight to Honiara for the Miss Pacific pageant, scheduled for 1-8 February 2025, with eight contestants including Miss Nauru, Charlei Andrianna Deiye
Europe Spain Gastronomy contributed €374 billion to the Spanish economy in 2023, generating 27% of the gross domestic product in 2023 and providing 7,2 million full-time jobs, representing 37% of the country's entire labour market
Asia Syria Spain raised the flag of its embassy in Damascus, marking the return of its diplomatic presence more than a decade after the suspension of operations; many Western states are re-establishing contacts with the country after Assad's fall