Asia South Korea Former President Yoon Suk Yeol was sentenced to life in prison, charged with leading an insurrection as he imposed martial law for a few tumultuous hours on 3 December 2024; some argue it is a sign of a healthy democracy
Africa Mauritius The World Sustainability Congress and the Africa Leadership Awards brought together professionals and leaders from several African countries to highlight those who have distinguished themselves through their achievements in complex and demanding contexts
Europe Sweden The Administrative Court has stopped all planned licensed wolf hunting in 2026 in all five counties where hunting was supposed to begin on January 2; hunters associations oppose the decision and Minister for Rural Affairs doubts about its application
America Cuba Raul Guillermo Rodriguez Castro, grandson of Cuban general Raul Castro, has become a frequent visitor to Panama, using private planes for his travels; it has been confirmed that he has visited the country many times in recent years, at least ten in 2025
Asia Sri Lanka Colombo Public Library celebrated its centenary: the institution is praised for rendering a dynamic role in the educational, cultural and information fields; dating back to 1925, it started with only a Lending Library and a Reading Room
America Peru The presence of US military personnel has been authorized by Peru's authorities throughout 2026 for joint training exercises involving heavy weaponry, raising concerns amid a tense electoral year and growing social polarization
America Suriname A national soil monitoring system, in collaboration with FAO and the Green Climate Fund, will support climate-smart agriculture aiming to combat land degradation and secure food supply amid growing urbanization and climate change impacts
Africa Mauritius The protection of agricultural land is a major focus of the Minister of Agriculture, Food Security, Blue Economy and Fisheries, as agricultural land has been diverted to non-agricultural activities, creating increasing pressure on local food production
Africa Tanzania Main opposition party Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo, banned from October's elections, is now calling for a transition government as a state of uncertainty spreads across Tanzania
America Venezuela A Venezuelan-linked oil tanker has been seized by US forces near the Caribbean coast, claiming it supported terrorist networks, prompting Venezuela to denounce the act as piracy and vow to defend its sovereignty internationally
Africa Sierra Leone Africa No Filter awards celebrated African films that challenge stereotypes and reshape how global audiences understand the continent; this year the public was invited to nominate films and 300 submissions came from across the continent and its diaspora
America United States The construction of President Trump’s ballroom at the White House, for which a pavilion has been tore down, is once again under scrutiny as the National Trust for Historic Preservation filed a lawsuit aimed at stopping the project
Africa Ethiopia Copper cables, plastic tubes and metal components have been looted along an under-construction road in Addis Ababa, running from Edna Mall to Haya Hulet; thefts have occurred in full view, according to eyewitnesses
America Panama A 2025–2030 trade facilitation plan with five strategic pillars has been launched to modernize foreign trade, enhance digitalization, and strengthen Panama's position as a competitive regional logistics hub