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
Africa Mauritania The country officially launched its new electronic visa system; e-Visa, effective since 5 January 2025, replaces the need for visa stickers and visa services on arrival, simplifying the process for international travellers
America Saint Lucia The Saint Lucia’s Substance Abuse Advisory Council has encouraged citizens to include in their New Year resolutions sustained practices that protect health and become part of a lifestyle, taking distance from harmful habits
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
Europe Iceland The Kennel Club will officially recognise the Icelandic sheepdog as a purebred breed in April 2025; the Icelandic sheepdog can trace its roots back some 1.000 years and was even mentioned in a play by William Shakespeare
Europe United Kingdom London Zoo is about to carry out the census of its over 20.000 individuals from 698 species of animals; the annual survey is expected to take about a week and results will be shared with zoos around the world to help manage global conservation programmes
Europe Ireland A historic gate in Dublin's Phoenix Park, removed last September after being hit by a council lorry, will be reinstated this month, the Office of Public Works said
America Grenada The Public Sector Employees Pension Fund Bill 2024 is now an Act of Parliament which came into effect on 1 January; it is described as 'unfavorable' by unions and as a violation of the public officers’ constitutional rights by several legal minds
Europe Denmark The new mapping by Arbejderbevægelsens Erhvervsråd, the labour business council, is based on 2023 figures and shows that incomes of top 1% of high earners increased by almost 15% despite inflation, while the average citizen suffered a drop in income
Asia Oman The second phase of the plastic bag ban in the Sultanate of Oman has begun on 1 January 2025; Environment Authority said this phase will focus on tightening restrictions on the use of single-use plastic bags
Africa Namibia NamPost and Telecom Namibia will become independent government-owned companies by February, as the complete transfer of all properties of the Namibia Post and Telecom Holdings Limited to other stakeholders will be finalised by this month of January 2025
Africa Tanzania The revolution in automotive fuel sector which is beginning to adopt CNG instead of petrol and diesel is being slowed down by lack of filling stations; given Tanzania's large reserves of gas under the sea, CNG can cost less than half of petrol equivalent
America Guyana Guyana is removing wrecks from its waterways to enhance safety for oil supply vessels, clearing over 14 since 2023, with plans for more, while also widening channels to support its booming oil sector and ensure navigation safety
America Haiti 75 soldiers sent from Guatemala and an advance team of 8 from El Salvador have arrived to join the international mission that is trying to counter criminal gangs supported by the UN and the US and led by Kenya