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”
Asia Kuwait Ministries and government departments began implementing an evening shift to improve the working environment in the public sector and provide more flexibility to public access; the selection of employees for evening shifts have been completed in advance
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 Iraq Iraq tops the list of Arab countries in terms of the number of visitors to Turkey between January and the end of November 2024; figures have been released by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism
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
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
Europe Netherlands The names of 425.000 people suspected of collaborating with the Nazis during their occupation of the Netherlands have been published online for the first time, 80 years after the end of the Holocaust, making them accessible to historians and descendants
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
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
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
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
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
America Nicaragua An international arrest warrant for Nicaragua's President Daniel Ortega, Vice President Rosario Murillo, and top officials has been issued by Argentinian authorities over alleged crimes against humanity and human rights violations
America Brazil Brazil recorded its hottest year ever in 2024, with an average temperature of 25,02°C (77,04°F), surpassing 2023's record, as climate change drives increased disasters like droughts and floods, according to Brazil's weather agency