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 Costa Rica Costa Rica will implement regulations on deforestation-free products, aligning the productive sector with the EU Green Deal and developing sustainable strategies to comply with EUDR requirements, effective from December 2025
Asia Lebanon Lebanon's National News Agency NNA reported that Israel has violated the ceasefire with Lebanon 392 times since cease-fire came into force on 27 November 2024
America Ecuador President Noboa has named for a second time a temporary vice president amid ongoing tensions with elected VP Verónica Abad, who disputes her suspension and argues that Noboa’s actions are unconstitutional and aimed at blocking her succession
Asia East Timor A Grant Note with the Asian Development Bank has been signed to finance a US$16 million project aimed at strengthening rural resilience and improving the quality of life in the Municipality of Manatuto; the activities will be developed over five years
Europe Czech Republic 2.266 applications for compensation for forced sterilisation have been submitted before the 2 January deadline, although the total number is likely to be higher; now an illegal practice, it used to be imposed on Roma women and women with disabilities
Asia Iran Over 900 people have been executed in Iran in 2024, of whom at least 31 women; most of the executions were linked to drug-related offences, but also to the mass protests of 2022 and included political dissidents, the UN human rights office reported
Europe Luxembourg Considering overnight stays, Luxembourg residents are at the top of the list in Europe with a 35 nights spent away from home, ahead of Sweden (30) and Finland (25), according to a report by the Luxembourg statistical office Statec
Europe Lithuania Over 1.500 objects of art and culture from Ukraine have been transferred to Lithuania since Russia's attack on Ukraine; many works of art have been studied and restored, as well as exhibited, by the Lithuanian National Art Museum
Asia Kuwait Ministries and government departments began implementing an evening shift to improve the working environment in the public sector and provide more flexibility to public access; the selection of employees for evening shifts have been completed in advance
Africa Liberia Liberian entrepreneur Rose Martin-King has officially launched a new butcher's shop and farm shop in Joe Bar, Paynesville, featuring locally sourced organic meat products
Europe France A special 32 pages double edition of satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo will be available from today in 300.000 copies to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the attack to the magazine headquarters; 20 people died in consequence of the act
America Nicaragua An international arrest warrant for Nicaragua's President Daniel Ortega, Vice President Rosario Murillo, and top officials has been issued by Argentinian authorities over alleged crimes against humanity and human rights violations
Africa Ethiopia More than 30 houses collapsed in Awash Fentale, Afar region, as tremors continue to hit north-eastern areas, forcing many inhabitants to flee their homes and seek refuge in neighbouring areas; recurring earthquakes have caused extensive material damage