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
Africa Niger The former Niger state minister in charge of energy, Ibrahim Yacoubou, who has been in exile since the July 2023 coup, returned to Niger on Thursday: immediately arrested by the security services, he was taken to the Niamey remand centre
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
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
America Haiti Haitian judge issued arrest warrants for more than 30 senior officials accused of government corruption and misappropriation of funds or equipment related to Haiti's National Equipment Centre, including many presidents and PMs
Europe Czech Republic Czech lawmakers are meeting with Interior Ministry officials and experts to discuss a possible tightening of gun laws in the wake of the tragic shooting at Charles University on 21 December
Africa Uganda Tonto, a traditional banana-based beer whose production still follows traditional techniques such as barefoot beating, is in danger of disappearing, jeopardising a major source of income in the banana-growing regions of central and western Uganda
Asia Saudi Arabia The number of death sentences carried out in the country in 2023 was 170, compared to 147 in 2022
Africa Madagascar To begin his second consecutive term as President, Andry Rajoelina has chosen to keep at the helm of the executive the man who has been at his side for about five years, Christian Ntsay
Africa Zimbabwe Families of school-age children challenge the government's decision to impose tuition fees in US dollars; tuition fees are set in US dollars, while parents and guardians can pay in local currency at the exchange rate on the date of payment
Africa Gambia About seventy Gambian migrants deported from Tunisia and attempting to get back home have been denied entry into Mali and are now are stranded on the border after traveling through several countries, says Abubacarr Kinteh, one of the stranded men there
Africa Algeria Algerian fans wishing to travel to the Ivory Coast for the African Cup of Nations scheduled to begin on 13 January will be able to travel at a reduced cost with the state covering 50% of the cost of travel for 2.000 fans
Africa Ivory Coast Entries are open for Boost'Anim, the first animated film competition organised by the Ivorian Animated Film Association, which will award prizes to the three best productions to be presented in the form of short films
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