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 Togo Sokodé, 350 km north of the capital, will host the 2nd edition of the International Horse Festival from 8 to 10 January 2025 to celebrate the rich equestrian tradition of the Tchaoudjo prefecture with almost 500 riders from Togo and neighbouring countries
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
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
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
Europe Andorra The end of the season festivities has been marked by long road queues: ice made leaving the mountain resorts difficult and main roads leading to Spain also registered a peak in traffic
Europe Switzerland Drivers will be allowed to use self-driving technology on Swiss motorways and let go of their steering wheel starting 1 March 2025; following the decree recently adopted by Federal Council, they must be ready to take control at any time
Asia Turkmenistan Authorities have begun confiscating passports of those who have outstanding bank loans: documents are seized upon leaving the country and given back once the loan is repaid; many of them are migrant workers heading abroad to earn money to send home
Europe Portugal The Convent of Christ in Tomar, a World Heritage monument, will undergo two requalification projects in 2025 for 5,2 million euros, fully funded by the Recovery and Resilience Plan to "give new functional values and qualified visiting conditions"
Oceania Samoa Samoa Airways has been ordered to shift from the international terminal at Faleolo Airport to the new USD9,12 million regional terminal; the airline reportedly said it was not given any choice and the change will impact its services to and from Pago Pago
Africa Equatorial Guinea After recording an increase in defaults by the owners of social housing, a commission will be set up to visit homes and ascertain that the occupants of the homes are the true owners; the government is also considering to start with evictions
Asia Bahrain Bahrain’s Alba, aluminium smelter, will continue pursuing mergers and acquisitions, particularly in Europe, after its multi-billion-dollar agreement with Saudi Arabian Mining Company Maaden will be officially signed, presumably in the first half of 2025
Africa Gambia 'Musoolutaa', the first resource app for women to find information on health, safety, job opportunities, access to the women's enterprise fund, was launched by the Ministry for Gender, Children and Social Welfare