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 Indonesia 241.000 Indonesian pilgrims will perform the Hajj this year, sending the largest contingent ever to Saudi Arabia after the Kingdom approved the quota for Indonesia for 2024, up from 221.000 in 2023
America Canada A Federal Court judge has concluded that a Chinese engineering student is a potential spy and cannot enter Canada in a ruling that broadens the definition of espionage and has potentially wide consequences for foreign researchers
Europe Portugal The country broke the record for energy production in 2023, with more production from renewable sources, more days in a row with only renewable energy and the lowest emissions ever, Redes Energéticas Nacionais announced
Europe Bosnia and Herzegovina The decision on entry and stay under special conditions for Palestinian citizens who are relatives of national citizens has been approved by the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina
America Cuba A 500% increase in the price of fuel, from 25 pesos (US$ 0,20) to 132 pesos, has been announced by the Cuban government as it struggles with shortages and the deepening economic crisis
Asia Azerbaijan A conference on 'Politicisation of Religion: Harmful Effects' was held, organised by the State Committee for Religious Associations of the Republic of Azerbaijan
Europe Greece A new National Cyber Security Authority will be set up following the wave of attacks that hit Greek public bodies in the past two years
Africa Zimbabwe All 15 miners trapped for four days in a Zimbabwean gold mine have been rescued, in news given on social media X with video showing the mud-covered workers being greeted by a small cheering crowd at the mine site
Africa Togo Monsignor Kpodzro, Archbishop Emeritus of Lomé, an intransigent, even disruptive voice against the President Faure Gnassinbgé, has died; he had been living in exile in Sweden for almost three years, following the presidential elections in 2020
Europe Spain A tide of tiny plastic balls washed ashore on Spain's north coasts; over 1000 bags of plastic granules had fallen into the sea from a cargo ship on 8 December and though volunteers are cleaning up, fears of a potential major environmental disaster remain
Africa Uganda Over 5,6 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines, purchased by the Ugandan government for $7,3 million with a World Bank loan, have expired and will now be withdrawn from health facilities and destroyed
Africa South Africa The Black Mambas are an all-female anti-poaching unit that operates strictly unarmed in the country to combat the illegal hunting of protected species by defending animals by confronting poachers without the use of weapons
Africa Chad Almost 900 fighters of the Chadian rebel group Ufdd have returned with the aim of joining the disarmament process; this return is the consequence of the signing of the Doha Agreement in August 2022