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”
Africa Burkina Faso Burkina Faso's military leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, has attended Ghana's presidential inauguration armed with a visible pistol in his holster, sparking controversy over security protocols and trust in Ghanaian agreements
Asia Bahrain Bahrain is planning a $30 billion increase in infrastructure projects, which include 22 large developments including five artificial islands
Africa Djibouti Djiboutian candidate Mahmoud Youssouf for the presidency of the African Union Commission is confident of winning the February vote; winner will head the African Union secretariat for a four-year term, renewable once
Africa Chad A ceremony on 11 January 2025 in Abéché, in the east of the country, marked the handover of French influence, in the context of the breakdown of military agreements between N'Djamena and Paris at the end of November
Europe Bosnia and Herzegovina With the adoption of the decision on the minimum wage in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina for 2025, the child allowance will increase from the previous 117 BAM (60€) to 190 BAM (90€) per child
Asia Kuwait The country is considering the introduction of Value Added Tax as other Gulf Cooperation Council countries, such as Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, have increased VAT rates to 15% and 10% respectively
Oceania Fiji The Global Dental Development Fund has allocated $25.000 for a community health awareness project in Serua and Namosi, one of only five in the world to be awarded the grant
Africa Angola Angolan writer Atanagildo Paulo, with his work 'A Morte da Dor' (The Death of Pain), will represent Africa in Latin America's biggest literary competition the World Book Review Award, in the category of best book of chronicles and short stories 2024
Europe Malta The free ferry service between Valletta, Sliema and Cottonera attracted over 440.000 Tallinja cardholders last year, along with another 1,2 million passengers who bought tickets for the service
Europe Lithuania There is currently a shortage of around 3.000 nurses in Lithuania: if ignored, the shortage could soon become 5.000 nurses, experts have warned; 400 nurses are lost every year as about 600 leave the system and about 200 graduate and enter the system
Europe Luxembourg A new bill approved by the government is intended to eliminate the current mandatory three-day reflection period before a pregnancy can be terminated
Europe Iceland Fermented shark, an Icelandic delicacy, may become increasingly difficult to find due to a number of factors, including declining interest in the industry and rising costs
Oceania Fiji 9.646 births were registered in Estonia last year, 1.075 fewer than in 2023, according to the demography department of the Ministry of the Interior