Asia Georgia The EU annual Report on Human Rights and Democracy in the World noted “severely curtailed” human rights in Georgia, reduced bilateral political contacts and dialogue between Brussels and Tbilisi amid “significant democratic backsliding”
America Belize The Mexican Maya Train could expand into Belize, that proposed a two-phase extension to connect with Guatemala as well and enhance tourism, trade, and regional ties
America Brazil Brazil’s Supreme Court has denied former president Jair Bolsonaro’s request to travel to Donald Trump’s inauguration, ruling that he remains a flight risk due to ongoing investigations into his alleged coup and other charges
Oceania New Zealand According to AirlineRatings.com, the safest airline for 2025 is Air New Zealand, which also won in 2024 and 2022, with an outstanding safety record, with no serious accidents or crashes in the modern jet age
America Bolivia Supporters of former president Evo Morales have organized security rings to prevent his arrest in Bolivia, following an order from prosecutors investigating allegations of human trafficking; Morales has accused President Luis Arce of political persecution
Africa South Africa In a court-ordered rescue operation, at least 78 bodies have been pulled from an illegal gold mine where police cut off food and water for months, in what trade unions called a horrific crackdown; 246 survivors have been arrested once at the surface
Africa Togo Togo's Agricultural Transformation Agency launched a recruitment campaign for 55 new agents, including managers, technicians, engineers and drivers; ATA has supported over 6.000 farmers in its first two years, implementing pilot programmes in 60 cantons
Africa Somalia Qatar Charity signed a strategic partnership agreement with the Ministry of Health in Galmudug State, Somalia, to establish and equip four new health centres in the region
Asia Thailand Phuket faces a growing garbage crisis, with over 1.000 tonnes of daily waste overwhelming its landfill; authorities plan to cut waste by 15%, expand the landfill, and build an incinerator, stressing the need for better waste separation
America Costa Rica Costa Rica could introduce 12-hour work shifts for 4 days, followed by 3 days off, under the plan currently under review by the Legislative Assembly
America Chile Chile is committed to produce one third of the world’s copper by 2034, driven by new projects and expanded operations, according to a report presented by the Ministry of Mining
Oceania Papua New Guinea The Port Moresby Nature Park marked an important achievement for the institution with the successful breeding of the Raggiana Bird of Paradise, the national bird of Papua New Guinea
Europe Slovakia President Peter Pellegrini conferred State honours on 18 personalities from social, cultural and sporting life, nine of them posthumously
Africa Senegal The Higher Education Autonomous Union has announced that it will file a strike notice demanding that authorities fulfil their commitments to pay half of the deceased teachers' survivor's pension to widows and widowers