Africa eSwatini 11 000 jobs have been added in 2023-25; though it may appear as a positive development for Eswatini’s economy, economists fear that Eswatini’s labour market is expanding in low-productivity jobs rather than sectors building long-term economic security
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
Europe Belarus In 2024, over 5.800 people were convicted in administrative political trials in Belarus, the Viasna Human Rights Defence Centre reported; independent analysts link this to the election campaign that began
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
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
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
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
Oceania Fiji The Centre for iTaukei Studies at University of Fiji stands as the only centre to preserve and celebrate iTaukei culture in the country; for 2025, center’s educational activities will be expanded to Levuka, where traditional chiefs will be the professors
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
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
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 Cuba The small company MOROPO SURL, from Camagüey, is working on modernising the passenger information system at Ignacio Agramonte International Airport
Asia Azerbaijan The Zangezur corridor must and will be opened, noted President Aliyev, and Armenia should not act as a geographical barrier between Türkiye and Azerbaijan, but as an element of peace and cooperation in the South Caucasus instead
America Panama The number of migrants passing through Panama decreased by 42% in 2024, with 302.203 crossing the Darién Gap, down from 520.085 in 2023, attributed to stricter measures, though experts believe this won't address the root causes of migration