Africa eSwatini 11 000 jobs have been added in 2023-25; though it may appear as a positive development for Eswatini’s economy, economists fear that Eswatini’s labour market is expanding in low-productivity jobs rather than sectors building long-term economic security
Asia Cambodia Puy Du Fou, a French theme park operator, has expressed interest in launching an innovative 3D 'Immersive Angkor' museum in Cambodia
America Honduras In 2023, Honduras experienced a 40,4% decrease in deportations, with 56.172 individuals repatriated, including 11.220 children, as reported by the National Institute of Migration
Africa Mozambique Mozambique's health authorities vaccinated more than 2,2 million people against cholera in five days in the districts most affected by the current outbreak of the disease, which corresponds to practically complete coverage of the programme
Oceania New Zealand From 1 April 2024 electric vehicles will have to pay road user charges (RUC); initially exempted, electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids inclusion is the first step in fulfilling the National-ACT coalition's commitment to include all vehicles in RUC system
Asia East Timor National Sandalwood and East Timor Forestry Day was celebrated by the Korea Forest Service by planting sandalwood with local officials; the country's national tree has not only economic, but historical and cultural importance for the Timorese people
America Guatemala Bernardo Arévalo has officially assumed the Guatemalan presidency after an eight-hour delay, marked by chaotic parliamentary sessions, as leaders including Colombia's Gustavo Petro and Mexican Foreign Minister Alicia Bárcena expressed support
Africa Eritrea Flynas will start today, 17 January, weekly direct flights linking Asmara and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia
America El Salvador 88% of Salvadorans did not use Bitcoin in 2023 - an Institute of Public Opinion study reveals - despite the cryptocurrency being legal tender alongside the US dollar in El Salvador
Asia Brunei Brunei wushu star Basma Lachkar has been nominated as a candidate for the World Games Athlete of the Year 2023 by the international multi-sport event World Games
Africa Democratic Republic of the Congo The Democratic Republic of Congo's ruling party, the Union for Democracy and Social Progress, headed by President Felix Tshisekedi, won a majority of seats in the December parliamentary elections and can therefore form a government
America Ecuador A state of emergency was declared in response to a prison crisis marked by the escape of narco leader "Fito", unleashing severe riots in six prisons; President Noboa has rejected negotiation with the "narcoterrorists" and has deployed military support
Africa Namibia The country criticised Germany's decision to intervene in favor of Israel before the ICJ; President Hage Geingob called for reconsideration of German involvement, citing the historical context of its 2021 recognition of the genocide in Namibia (1904-1908)
America Chile Chile, in partnership with Google, has achieved a digital breakthrough with the agreement of installing the Humboldt submarine cable, spanning 14.000 km to become the world's first transoceanic fiber optic link