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”
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
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
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
Asia Lebanon Lebanon's National News Agency NNA reported that Israel has violated the ceasefire with Lebanon 392 times since cease-fire came into force on 27 November 2024
America Jamaica A total of 14.434 Jamaicans were placed abroad in 2024 under the Ministry of Labour and Social Security's Overseas Employment Programme; 57% went to Canada under the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Programme
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
America Ecuador President Noboa has named for a second time a temporary vice president amid ongoing tensions with elected VP Verónica Abad, who disputes her suspension and argues that Noboa’s actions are unconstitutional and aimed at blocking her succession
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
America Colombia Colombia is emerging as a hub for digital nomads, with its visa allowing remote work for up to two years; in 2025, 9.000 American digital nomads are expected to settle in Colombia, drawn by its lifestyle and affordability
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
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
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
America Costa Rica Costa Rica will implement regulations on deforestation-free products, aligning the productive sector with the EU Green Deal and developing sustainable strategies to comply with EUDR requirements, effective from December 2025