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 Guatemala Guatemala received its first four deportation flights of 2025 from the US, carrying 522 people, following a record 61.680 deportations in 2024, as expectations rise for the new US administration's immigration policies
Africa Chad Succès Masra, the president of the opposition party Les Transformateurs, called for "a new transition" in Chad in the aftermath of elections marked by low turnout and accusations of fraud by the opposition
Asia Georgia The country imported 1.283 tonnes of fireworks and other pyrotechnic products for a total value of US$8,5 million in the first 11 months of 2024, up 51% in value and 108% in volume
Asia Malaysia Gerakan, the People’s Movement Party supporting inclusion, called for a review of the proposal to require halal certification for food outlets; Kelantan state, with a Muslim majority, seeks to enforce the policy, raising concerns for non-Muslim businesses
Africa Burkina Faso The Transition Legislative Assembly held a ceremony to recognise retired staff and congratulate the decorated officers in Ouagadougou, encouraging more people to continue on that path
America Cuba The small company MOROPO SURL, from Camagüey, is working on modernising the passenger information system at Ignacio Agramonte International Airport
Africa Gabon The junta of Gabon, the second most forested nation in the world, has taken control of the National Timber Company, thus gaining direct access to a $620 million industry that accounts for about 3,2% of the country's economy
America Bahamas The Consultant Physicians Staff Association lamented the fact that an industry agreement has yet to be finalized over three years after the last one expired and called on the government to address the issue so that it is not “forced to take action"
Africa Benin Pan-African activist and leader Kémi Séba has announced his candidature for presidential elections scheduled for April 2026; electoral code requires candidates to be sponsored by at least 28 elected officials, such as mayors or members of parliament
Africa Libya The Ministry of Defence said it had launched an anti-crime military operation in the west coast military zone; any political objective was denied, and the operation is to be attributed only to maintaining security and stability in the area
Africa Angola The country will host the African Men's and Women's Wheelchair Basketball Championships in January 2026, as confirmed by the Angolan Paralympic Committee
America Mexico Mexico is reconsidering its stance on accepting migrants deported by the US, including those of other nationalities, in a reversal of President Sheinbaum's previous position, with plans to collaborate with the US on deportations
Oceania Micronesia Representatives of the Federated States of Micronesia and the United States recently signed an extension of the Humanitarian Assistance Annex - FSM to the Military Use and Operational Rights Agreement until 30 September 2043