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
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
Europe Monaco In line with its commitment to creating greener infrastructure, the Monegasque government will continue its project to replace and modernise lighting in tunnels with advanced LED lighting systems
America Argentina Argentina reaffirmed its sovereignty over the Falkland Islands on the 192nd anniversary of their British occupation in 1833, highlighting the nation's permanent objective to regain control, with continued international support for negotiations
Africa Republic of the Congo Heavy rains caused the Bichida River to break its banks as waters rose very quickly; the surrounding fields, saturated with water, turned into a huge lake and the Mbinda-Mayoko road, a stretch of 25 km, became difficult
Oceania Papua New Guinea Duncan Gabi, the leading climate change activist in Papua New Guinea, has estimated that tens of thousands of people have been displaced from the area around Pariva beach due to rising seas, describing it as a 'humanitarian crisis'
Europe San Marino Those who choose to become San Marino citizens by naturalisation will no longer be obliged to renounce their original nationality following the State Congress's recent approval of the proposed citizenship bill
Europe Slovakia The return rate of beverage containers in Slovakia remains consistently above 90% according to the administrator of the deposit return system
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
Oceania Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. signed into law RPPL 11-40, a comprehensive amendment to the government wage structure, which introduces a 10% across-the-board wage increase for all public and contract employees which will be in force from 1 October 2025
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
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
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
Europe Ukraine Fighting in southern Russia inflicted heavy losses on troops sent by North Korea, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, as battles intensified along the front line