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 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
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 Iceland The Kennel Club will officially recognise the Icelandic sheepdog as a purebred breed in April 2025; the Icelandic sheepdog can trace its roots back some 1.000 years and was even mentioned in a play by William Shakespeare
Africa Togo Sokodé, 350 km north of the capital, will host the 2nd edition of the International Horse Festival from 8 to 10 January 2025 to celebrate the rich equestrian tradition of the Tchaoudjo prefecture with almost 500 riders from Togo and neighbouring countries
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
Africa Tanzania The revolution in automotive fuel sector which is beginning to adopt CNG instead of petrol and diesel is being slowed down by lack of filling stations; given Tanzania's large reserves of gas under the sea, CNG can cost less than half of petrol equivalent
Africa Nigeria National Credit Guarantee Company will be established in May 2025 to improve access to credit for businesses and individuals; the initiative, part of President Tinubu’s reform agenda, aims to bolster financial inclusion by adding risk-sharing instruments
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
Europe Andorra The end of the season festivities has been marked by long road queues: ice made leaving the mountain resorts difficult and main roads leading to Spain also registered a peak in traffic
Asia Bhutan A transplant-policy change has been proposed to allow ABO-incompatible kidney transplants, offering hope to over 411 dialysis patients; the plan also suggests raising daily allowances for patients referred to India to approximately $4,65
Europe United Kingdom London Zoo is about to carry out the census of its over 20.000 individuals from 698 species of animals; the annual survey is expected to take about a week and results will be shared with zoos around the world to help manage global conservation programmes
Asia Oman The second phase of the plastic bag ban in the Sultanate of Oman has begun on 1 January 2025; Environment Authority said this phase will focus on tightening restrictions on the use of single-use plastic bags
America Haiti 75 soldiers sent from Guatemala and an advance team of 8 from El Salvador have arrived to join the international mission that is trying to counter criminal gangs supported by the UN and the US and led by Kenya