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
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
Africa Algeria 51 terrorists and 457 terrorist supporters were neutralized in 2024 by the detachments of the People’s National Army, which also recovered significant quantities of weapons and ammunition, the People’s National Army said in latest operational report
Africa Kenya The Kenyan High Court recently declared the new higher education funding model unconstitutional in a lawsuit, brought by the Kenya Human Rights Commission and other organisations, challenging its legality and fairness
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
America Bolivia Bolivia officially joined the BRICS as a partner state this 2025, with President Luis Arce highlighting the move as key to boosting energy, technology, trade, and sustainable finance amid global transitions
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 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 Bangladesh Foreigners illegally residing in Bangladesh without a valid visa are asked to obtain the document by 31 January; the interim government has warned that those who fail to do so will face legal action
Oceania Tonga The government has announced that it will continue in 'interim mode' under the leadership of the interim prime minister, Samiu Kuita Vaipulu, and the current cabinet ministers until a new cabinet is announced in a few weeks' time
Asia Kazakhstan 3,7 million tonnes of wheat from the new harvest have been exported between September and 25 December 2024, an increase of 54% compared to the 2,4 million tonnes exported in the same period in 2023
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
Africa Central African Republic Joseph Bendounga, president of the Democratic Movement for the Renaissance and Evolution of Central Africa, died at the Friendship Hospital in Bangui; known for his anti-power positions, he had opposed the amendment of the Constitution last year
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