Countries once overlooked in global labour rankings are now setting bold new standards for paternity leave, offering fathers time to bond with their newborns and share caregiving responsibilities from day one.

According to the IRIS Global Parental Leave Index , Peru, Laos, Rwanda, Comoros, and Benin lead the way, granting some of the world’s longest paid paternity leaves among developing nations.

Peru tops the list with 21 weeks, followed by Laos with 17 weeks, Rwanda with 16, Comoros with 15, and Benin offering 12 weeks

These numbers stand out in a world where the average paid paternity leave remains under two weeks, and only about 53% of countries legally guarantee fathers any paid time off at all.

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) notes that leave policies specifically designed for fathers can be a game changer in reducing gender inequality at work and home, improving child well-being, and reshaping social norms around caregiving

In countries like Rwanda, where gender equality is part of national development goals, expanding paternity leave reflects a deeper social commitment. Similarly, Peru’s 21-week provision—the highest in the Global South—signals that progressive family policy is not the preserve of wealthy nations.

In Laos, Comoros, and Benin, these reforms also highlight how smaller economies are prioritizing family welfare and gender balance despite limited resources.

Globally, the push for longer parental leave gained momentum during and after the COVID-19 pandemic , as workplaces grappled with new norms around remote work and caregiving.

In many high-income countries, cultural and professional barriers still limit men’s participation in parental leave. But in the Global South, legal reforms are moving faster than societal skepticism, showing that ambition, not affluence, drives change.

The picture is telling some regions glow in green (very likely), others linger in pale yellows, and some turn red (very unlikely).

The Report defines “helping a stranger” as one of three benevolent acts surveyed by Gallup alongside donating money and volunteering, and connects these acts directly to how people rate their own lives.

Over the past years, the world witnessed a “benevolence bump” triggered by COVID-19, during which acts of kindness surged and remarkably stayed elevated. Even in 2024, helping strangers remained, on average, 18% higher than pre-pandemic levels.

On that spectrum, some nations stand out. In Africa, parts of West and Central Africa show higher-than-average willingness (darker green).

In contrast, much of Eastern Europe and Central Asia is shaded red or pale, indicating that helping strangers is seen as unlikely. These visual contrasts mirror the wider inequalities in social trust, institutional stability, and communal norms.

Take Nigeria, for example, despite media narratives often casting it in a negative light, it reportedly ranked 7th globally in terms of kindness to strangers in the 2025 report—even though its overall happiness ranking was much lower (105th).

That gap tells us something essential: a society’s warmth toward strangers can exist independently of broader economic conditions or institutional strength.

It’s telling that the report also highlights a psychological twist: people consistently underestimate how kind others are. Experiments involving “dropped wallet” scenarios revealed that actual return rates of lost wallets are often twice as high as what respondents anticipated.

In some Nordic countries, the long-standing front-runners in happiness, the expected and real rates of wallet returns rank among the highest globally.

In the real world, that misbelief can have consequences if we assume others won’t help; we limit cooperation, trust, and social cohesion before they even begin. The Report finds that expecting kindness from others is a stronger predictor of happiness than major harms people fear.

While most states demand both parties be present at the ceremony, a handful make room for marriage-by-proxy, and one state even allows both partners to be completely absent.

In the majority of states, the rules are straightforward and require both parties to attend the ceremony in person for the marriage to be valid. But in Texas, Colorado, and Kansas, at least one partner can be absent, provided proper authorisation is in place.

Montana stands out as the most unusual case; it is the only state that permits a “ double proxy marriage ,” where neither spouse is physically present. Instead, legal representatives can stand in for both parties, sign the paperwork, and solemnise the marriage on their behalf.

These exceptions are not open invitations to marry from afar without reason. States that allow proxy marriages generally limit them to specific circumstances, such as when one spouse is serving in the military or is otherwise unable to attend.

In Texas, for example, the absent spouse must be on active duty in the armed forces. Montana requires that at least one spouse be a resident of the state or an active-duty service member. Both states require notarised consent and proper documentation to ensure the marriage is legitimate.

Proxy marriages carry significant implications beyond the wedding day. For immigration purposes, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recognises marriages that are legally valid in the jurisdiction where they were celebrated, the so-called “place-of-celebration rule.”

However, for a proxy marriage to count for visa or residency applications, the couple must later consummate the marriage, providing proof of the relationship’s legitimacy.

The renewed interest in proxy marriage laws comes amid broader global conversations about what it means to be legally married in an era where physical presence is not always possible.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, travel bans and health restrictions forced couples to seek alternatives, spurring growth in remote weddings and virtual ceremonies worldwide. These trends continue today, particularly for couples separated by military deployment, immigration hurdles, or even conflict.

A new map from The World in Maps shows which countries tend to wear shoes inside the house (blue) and which generally leave them at the door (green), thus revealing surprising patterns around the globe.

Across much of Asia, the Middle East, and Northern Europe, shoes are taken off as soon as one steps inside. In countries like Japan and South Korea, this practice is nearly universal, with homes designed with an entryway ( genkan ) specifically for removing and storing footwear.

In India, Thailand, and much of Southeast Asia, shoe removal is not only a matter of hygiene but also of respect. This is a custom that extends to places of worship and even some workplaces. Northern Europe follows similar habits, in part due to weather conditions, as snowy or muddy boots could easily ruin indoor flooring.

By contrast, in the United States, Canada, much of Latin America, and parts of Western Europe, it is common to wear shoes indoors, although this has begun to shift in recent years.

The practice of keeping shoes on is often linked to architectural style, as many homes are built without designated entryways, and a cultural emphasis on convenience and individual choice.

However, attitudes are changing as studies reveal just how much dirt, bacteria, and even microplastics shoes can carry indoors. A recent microbiology study found that shoe soles can harbour hundreds of thousands of bacteria, which are easily tracked through living spaces.

Researchers have also found that shoes bring in road dust, allergens, and environmental toxins that can impact indoor air quality.

This conversation gained new relevance in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which heightened global awareness of hygiene habits. Many households adopted stricter entryway rules, with shoe removal becoming part of post-pandemic cleanliness rituals.

When both sexes are combined, global life expectancy stands at about 73.5 years.

Today’s long lives would have been unimaginable to our ancestors. Around 1900, the global average life expectancy was just 32 years, largely because of high child mortality.

By 2021, it had more than doubled to 71 years, thanks to advancements in medicine, sanitation, vaccines and economic growth. The gains have occurred across all age groups: not only are children less likely to die young, but adults and the elderly are also surviving diseases that were once death sentences.

The rise has been remarkably consistent across continents. In 1800, no region had a life expectancy above 40 years. Today, even Africa, still the area with the shortest lifespans, has an average lifespan of over 60 years.

However, wide disparities remain. Nigeria’s life expectancy in 2021 was 30 years lower than Japan’s. Countries with lower averages also tend to have greater variation between rich and poor.

What drives longer lives?

The dramatic increase in life expectancy reflects public-health victories. Clean water, sanitation, vaccines and antibiotics have slashed deaths from infectious diseases. Improvements in maternal and newborn care mean more babies survive their first years.

Over the past half‑century, rising incomes and better nutrition have further extended life spans. Our World In Data emphasises that declines in mortality have been seen at all ages, not just among childrenourworldindata.org.

However, life expectancy stalled or even fell in some countries during the COVID‑19 pandemic. The World Health Organisation estimates that global life expectancy dropped by almost two years in 2020–2021 due to COVID‑19, reversing years of progress. Recovery has been uneven, with wealthier regions bouncing back faster than poorer ones.

Drawing on data from the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) surveys, UNICEF notes that while frequent bullying has declined in most high‑income countries since 2018, it remains a serious threat to adolescent mental health.

The graphic above, compiled by World Visualized, ranks countries by the percentage of 15‑year‑olds who report being bullied at least a few times a month.

Latvia tops the table, with nearly one in three teenagers experiencing frequent bullying. New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Turkey and Malta follow closely. Canada, Germany, Chile and the United States show comparatively lower rates but still report that at least one in five 15‑year‑olds face regular harassment.

While these rates stem from self‑reported surveys rather than official police statistics, they underscore wide disparities in school climate. The figures suggest that teens in northern and English‑speaking countries, where digital connectivity is high, may face particularly intense cyberbullying pressure.

UNICEF’s Innocenti Report Card 19 emphasises that bullying is not a harmless rite of passage. Evidence shows it is associated with higher rates of depression, anxiety and suicidal behaviour, and its effects often persist into adulthood.

Victims of bullying tend to have lower life satisfaction, and their academic performance can suffer. Schools that foster positive relationships and teach social‑emotional skills report better outcomes; conversely, institutions that tolerate violence and discrimination see declines in student mental health.

Interestingly, the Innocenti report notes that the COVID‑19 pandemic coincided with a decrease in frequent bullying in most countries, likely because of school closures and remote learning. It is too early to tell whether this trend will hold; UNICEF warns that bullying remains common and urges governments to tackle it through comprehensive policies.

Suggested interventions include:

Amid heightened regional tensions and U.S.-led military strikes, Iranian lawmakers are considering a potential withdrawal from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), a move that would mirror North Korea’s 2003 exit, the only such case to date. North Korea withdrew from the NPT in January 2003, citing threats to national security and later conducted its first nuclear test in 2006. Since then, it has remained the only country to formally leave the treaty. Other non-signatories include India, Israel, Pakistan, and South Sudan. Iran, a signatory since 1970, continues to deny pursuing nuclear weapons. However, the Iranian parliament is now reviewing the country’s NPT membership.

Russia to help North Korea produce Shahed drones, says Ukrainian intelligence

Russia has agreed to assist North Korea in establishing domestic production sites for Iranian-designed Shahed drones, according to Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine's military intelligence agency (GUR). In addition to drone technology, Western intelligence indicates that North Korea is receiving Russian assistance with its advanced missile systems, space programs, and nuclear capabilities. This support comes amid Pyongyang’s increased involvement in the Ukraine conflict, making it the only nation beyond the main belligerents to reportedly send troops to the front lines. The two countries formalised their growing military cooperation with a mutual defence pact signed in June 2024, solidifying what analysts see as a deepening strategic alliance.

North Korea fires over 10 rockets following U.S.–South Korea–Japan drills

North Korea launched more than 10 rockets into the Yellow Sea on Thursday, a day after South Korea conducted joint air drills with the United States and Japan, according to South Korean military sources. The projectiles were fired from Pyongyang’s upgraded 240-millimetre multiple rocket launcher system, unveiled in 2023. The system is reportedly capable of targeting key population centres, including the Seoul metropolitan area. A South Korean military official said the rockets travelled several tens of kilometres before landing in the Yellow Sea.

North Korea enforces harsh restrictions years after COVID-19, says U.N. official

North Korea continues to enforce severe civil rights restrictions more than two years after the global COVID-19 emergency was declared over, according to James Heenan, the U.N. Human Rights Office representative in Seoul. Despite the World Health Organisation lifting the global emergency status in 2023, North Korea has maintained strict lockdown measures, intensified border controls, and restricted nearly all cross-border activity. Reports indicate that “shoot-to-kill” orders remain in effect along the China border, enforced by North Korean special forces.

Zelenskyy warns of rising threat from North Korea’s missile support to Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned that North Korea’s growing military cooperation with Russia poses a significant threat to global security. In his June 20 video address, Zelenskyy cited the increasing use of North Korean-supplied ballistic missiles, now reportedly upgraded, against Ukrainian targets, describing it as evidence of deepening ties between Moscow and Pyongyang. The Ukrainian leader warned that Russia consistently intervenes to protect its allies from international consequences and is actively facilitating North Korea’s and Iran’s weapons capabilities.

The death occurred during the second week of June and is the first COVID-related fatality reported since May 2024.

Last year, Malaysia recorded 57 deaths linked to the virus.

Officials say the overall situation remains stable, even as the country saw a 68% increase in weekly cases.

A total of 3,379 infections were recorded in the week ending June 15, up from 2,011 the week before. So far, Malaysia has recorded more than 21,700 COVID-19 cases in 2025.

Six patients, all with underlying conditions were admitted to intensive care during the latest surge.

Four of them have since been discharged and returned home, while two remain in hospital wards for further treatment.

The World Health Organisation is currently tracking a new COVID-19 subvariant known as NB.1.8.1 or “Nimbus,” which has been spreading quickly in several parts of Asia, including India, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Thailand .

The variant is being monitored for its potential health risks and ability to spread more easily than earlier strains.

Health authorities in Malaysia are urging people to stay cautious, wear masks in crowded places, improve indoor ventilation, and stay home if unwell.

In Karnataka, health officials are keeping a close eye on the situation , with 80 active COVID-19 cases reported as of May 26, 2025. Bengaluru stands out with 73 of these cases. Health Minister Dr Sharan Prakash Patil has stated that the state is “taking no chances,” and advisories have been issued to healthcare professionals to ensure vigilance.

The Chief Minister of Karnataka, Siddaramaiah, commented on the nature of the current strain, suggesting it’s not too serious. However, he also stressed the need for continued precautions, saying hygiene and mask-wearing should be top priorities to help reduce transmission.

In Maharashtra, the Kalyan-Dombivli civic body has reported its first COVID-19 death, highlighting the virus's impact extending beyond metropolitan areas. This has sparked new worries about smaller urban centres' preparedness to handle potential outbreaks.

Four patients recently tested positive within the municipal limits. Among them, one woman tragically died, another with mild symptoms was discharged, a third is receiving treatment in a private hospital, and a fourth was moved to Chhatrapati Shivaji Hospital for further care. The Thane Municipal Corporation has reported 36 COVID-19 patients, including one death, with some hospitalised and others quarantined at home.

In Gurugram, Haryana, health officials have documented two new cases, raising the local tally to six. Nearby authorities are actively engaging in contact tracing to mitigate further spread, with a health official confirming the cases involve two women from separate localities.

Delhi now has 104 active cases. Despite this rise, the local government is downplaying concerns, equating the infection’s severity to that of a “viral fever.” Health authorities are urging citizens not to panic, assuring that hospitals are prepared for any significant changes in the situation.

“There is no alarming or emergency situation so far. The situation is under control,” Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said . She confirmed that hospitals are on alert to manage any potential escalations in infections.

Nationwide, active COVID-19 cases have surpassed the 1,000 mark, sitting at 1,010 as of May 27. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has reiterated that the situation is moderated and there’s no pressing need for alarm, advising people to remain vigilant.

Two new COVID sub-variants termed NB.1.8.1 and LF.7 have also been identified in India. The World Health Organisation has categorised these as Variants Under Monitoring, although they haven’t been flagged as Variants of Concern just yet.

The World Health Organisation's decision-making annual assembly adopted the plan on Tuesday at its Geneva headquarters. "It's a historic day," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told AFP after the vote.

The text of the agreement was finalised by consensus last month, following multiple rounds of tense negotiations. The United States pulled out of those talks, following US President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw his country from the WHO, a process that takes one year to complete.

"The world is safer today thanks to the leadership, collaboration and commitment of our member states to adopt the historic WHO Pandemic Agreement," Tedros said in a statement. "The agreement is a victory for public health , science and multilateral action. It will ensure we, collectively, can better protect the world from future pandemic threats. "It is also a recognition by the international community that our citizens, societies and economies must not be left vulnerable to again suffer losses like those endured during Covid-19."

You are shocked! I know.

As high as half of the population of countries ignores this proper hygiene routine that is pretty 'normal' across the globe.

According to a report by Gallup International on Europe's handwashing habits, just a handful of countries have close to 95% of their population washing their hands with soap and water after visiting the loo.

At the bottom of the list is the Netherlands, with only 50% of people reporting they wash their hands after using the toilet — the lowest rate in Europe. This is particularly surprising considering the country’s otherwise high standards of public health and hygiene.

In a sharp contrast, Bosnia & Herzegovina tops the list, with an impressive 96% of individuals practising proper hand hygiene. Closely following are Turkey at 94%, Portugal at 85%, and Romania at 84%.

Western European countries generally showed lower rates than their Eastern counterparts. For instance, Italy stands at 57%, Spain at 61%, and France at 62%. The UK reports a relatively modest 75%, while Germany, Sweden, and Iceland all hover around 78%.

The importance of hand hygiene can never be overemphasised and has been especially important in recent years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Handwashing with soap and water remains one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of infectious diseases .

This revelation serves as a continuous reminder that despite awareness campaigns and public health efforts, there is still a significant need for education and behaviour change in certain regions of Europe.

In 2020, the Trump administration notified the United Nations of its intention to withdraw from the WHO, citing several reasons for this decision.

The reasons cited included a perceived bias towards China , with the US arguing that the WHO was being overly lenient, allegedly downplaying the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic and delaying the declaration of a global health emergency.

Additionally, the US government felt that its significant financial contributions to the WHO were not being utilised effectively.

However, six months into the negotiations and dialogues, The Biden administration took over and threw out the WHO exit plan.

Back in government, Trump holds the same stance.

And just when we thought only Trump could pull something like this off, Argentina's Milei said, "You haven't heard about me?"

The spokesperson for Javier Milei, who is considered Trump's greatest ally announced on February 5 the country's intention to withdraw from the WHO too. The spokesperson cited "deep differences" over the WHO's handling of health issues, particularly the COVID-19 pandemic.

Additionally, spokesperson Manuel Adorni said, "a lack of independence from the political influence of other states" was another major reason.

"The conclusion that a laboratory leak is extremely unlikely was reached by the China-WHO joint expert team based on field visits to relevant laboratories in Wuhan," foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said.

In a recent interview, he emphasized the need for the public and global leaders to acknowledge this inevitability, saying it may arrive sooner than expected due to rapid geopolitical, economic, and climatic shifts.

"This time it may be 400 million people dying," Yuen who is a globally recognised authority on coronaviruses and infectious diseases told the AFP. "So I still think that at this stage in time, it's important to properly do an investigation (on COVID-19) in a very open, transparent manner so that you learn the lessons so that you know what to do next."

The World Health Organization has urged China to increase transparency regarding the origins of the pandemic. Last year, Yuen also established the Pandemic Research Alliance alongside colleagues from mainland China and the United States, aiming to exchange information and conduct research on potential future threats.

Kazakhstan and Togo have signed three licensing agreements to support each other in developing their digital public infrastructure (DPI) projects. The agreements were signed in Togo and outlined collaboration in digital sectors such as platforms and big data. This partnership follows high-level visits between the two countries. Togo is currently building a national digital ID system with expertise from Atos and Idemia, reports Biometric Update .

Catholics push for traditional rites

The Catholic Church in Togo is evangelising traditional initiation rites among the Kabyè people. The local church seeks to help the Kabyè be authentically Christian while maintaining their cultural identity through the process of inculturation. The initiation rites, traditionally involving aspects incompatible with Christian beliefs, are being purified in the light of the Gospel to align with Christian teachings. The church offers alternative rites that incorporate Christian elements, such as dressing the young initiates and replacing traditional sanctuaries with Christian ones. According to La Croix International , the goal is for Christians to fully live their faith without compromising their culture.

Access to drinking water

As of 2023, the proportion of Togolese with access to potable water reached 69%, a significant increase from the 47.66% reported in 2014. This information was shared by the Togolese Ministry of Water on July 2, 2024. The ministry's data also highlighted that the availability of drinking water services in rural regions improved from 47.7% in 2014 to 74.4% in 2023. Meanwhile, in semi-urban and urban locales, the figures were 55.9% and 69% respectively for 2023, showing considerable growth from the 42.6% and 47.7% recorded in 2014, reports Togo First . The Ministry credits this improvement to a series of initiatives and programs initiated by the government, supported financially by its development allies. Notably, the PASSCO project, funded with CFA6.5 billion from the French Development Agency, contributed to the construction of 400 new wells in the northern part of Togo.

COVID-19 restrictions

Togo has joined the ranks as the second nation in West Africa to mandate COVID-19 testing and the use of face masks for travellers returning from the annual hajj in Mecca. Following Senegal's lead, the first in the region to implement voluntary testing amid concerns that respiratory issues like COVID-19 may have contributed to around 1,300 deaths as per Saudi data, Togo has taken a firmer stance. The government of Togo declared on Friday that returning hajj pilgrims must submit to compulsory COVID testing and adhere to preventive measures such as minimizing contact, wearing masks, frequent hand washing, and steering clear of large gatherings for 10 days post-return, reports News Central .

Soybean production

Last week marked the inauguration of Togo's soybean production drive for 2024-2025, held in Guérin-Kouka within the Dankpen prefecture. The event, orchestrated by the CIFS, the supervisory entity for the sector, centred on the theme "Mechanisation of soybean production, a factor in increased productivity." During the ceremony, Komlan Kadzakadè, the head of CIFS, reflected on lessons from past campaigns, asserting, "We are resolved to surmount past obstacles to further amplify our productivity." To realise this ambition, concerted efforts have been made to enhance the availability of superior seeds, fortify the technical acumen of producers, and expand the infrastructure for storage and processing, Togo First highlights. "The soybean sector is not only a significant source of foreign currency for our country but also plays a crucial role in our food security and industrialization," said Alex Kpanté Bouab, Director of Entrepreneurship and Agricultural Financing at the Ministry of Agriculture.

The Health Minister's statement mandates that all international travellers must complete identification forms at airports upon arrival.

Airport testing is being reinstated, with an immediate focus on those returning from the Mecca pilgrimage .

Previously established protocols during the height of COVID-19 are being reactivated. These include mandatory mask-wearing for individuals with flu-like symptoms, strict hand hygiene practices, and frequent disinfection of shared spaces.

The government has affirmed its preparedness to identify cases and provide complimentary healthcare services nationwide.

Cameroon's first Covid-19 case was reported in March 2020. The Ministry of Public Health has recorded 1,974 deaths due to the pandemic, with over 120,000 cases confirmed in the country.

This year's Hajj pilgrimage was marred by extreme heat, with temperatures soaring beyond 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit), resulting in over 1,300 fatalities .

A tally Senegal’s Health Minister, Ibrahima Sy, suspects that respiratory syndromes such as COVID-19 may have contributed to the death toll.

"Initially, we thought it was related to heatwaves because the temperature was excessively high, but we realised that there is a respiratory syndrome with the cases of death," Sy said.

"We told ourselves that, probably, there is a respiratory epidemic, and it was our duty to be able to monitor the pilgrims on their return by putting in place a screening system for everything COVID-19 related," he added.

In response, the Senegalese health ministry has tightened its health surveillance system by deploying a team at the airport to provide voluntary screening tests and identify pilgrims suffering from flu-like illnesses.

More than 1.8 million Muslims participated in this year's Hajj pilgrimage, including 12,000 pilgrims from Senegal.

“The President will be awarded at a global platform to acknowledge his distinguished leadership, and dedication in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, and to recognise the significant role he played to lead Ugandans –that required high-level visionary [leadership] and decision,” Mr Walusimbi said in Kampala on Friday, June 21.

The conference is scheduled to be presented during the First International Post-COVID Conference, which will take place in Toronto, Canada, in July.

According to the Monitor , President Museveni during the pandemic frequently engaged with scientists and addressed the nation, keeping citizens informed about the progress in combating the virus and the control measures being taken.

His government's approach included a structured lockdown, curfew, and restrictions on mass gatherings, which, despite their impact on livelihoods and the education system, were deemed necessary to prevent the spread of the virus.

The first international post-pandemic conference is organised by Livelihood Development Initiatives International (LDII) Canada, in partnership with the Canadian government, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the African Union 6th Region Global, the World Health Organisation (WHO), Continental Investments LLC-Vietnam, and the United Nations.

This style of travel, while more costly, provides a depth of comfort and convenience that enhances their journey.

Merchant Machine , a UK payment reference website have identified the biggest spenders in the world when travelling overseas based on statistics from the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) for 2022.

Here are the top five biggest overseas spenders in the world:

Merchant Machine's analysis utilised UNWTO data, examining the total outbound expenditure for 94 nations and dividing it by the total number of departures, reported as "overnight visitors" by some countries.

In 1980, there were 277 million international arrivals ; by 2019, that figure had risen to around 1.5 billion. However, the pandemic severely damaged international tourism, with 2.6 billion fewer international arrivals in 2020, 2021, and 2022 combined.

International visitor arrivals rebounded to 89% of pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2023, and to 97% of pre-pandemic levels by the first quarter of 2024. By the end of 2024, the UNWTO projects that international travel will fully recover.

While Latin America 's biggest overseas spenders are Brazilians, Moroccans also top the list in Africa .

Between 2019 and 2021, global life expectancy declined by 1.8 years to 71.4 years, reverting to 2012 levels. Likewise, global healthy life expectancy decreased by 1.5 years to 61.9 years in 2021, also returning to the 2012 level.

The 2024 report underscores the unequal impact of the pandemic across the globe. The WHO regions of the Americas and Southeast Asia experienced the most significant declines, with life expectancy dropping by about 3 years and healthy life expectancy by 2.5 years between 2019 and 2021.

On the contrary, the Western Pacific Region experienced minimal impact during the first two years of the pandemic, with life expectancy decreasing by less than 0.1 years and healthy life expectancy by only 0.2 years.

“There continues to be major progress in global health, with billions of people who are enjoying better health, better access to services, and better protection from health emergencies,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “But we must remember how fragile progress can be. In just two years, the COVID-19 pandemic erased a decade of gains in life expectancy. That's why the new Pandemic Agreement is so important: not only to strengthen global health security but to protect long-term investments in health and promote equity within and between countries.”

In the issues of killer diseases, COVID-19 ranked as the third highest cause of death in the world in 2020 and the second in 2021. Adding that Nearly 13 million lives were lost during this timeframe.

However, the WHO report emphasises that noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as ischemic heart disease, stroke, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Alzheimer's disease, and diabetes were the leading causes of death before the pandemic, responsible for 74% of all deaths in 2019. Even amid the pandemic, NCDs remained the primary cause of non-COVID deaths, accounting for 78% of them.

What they said

WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasised the agreement's significance by stating that "Our Member States are fully aware of how important the pandemic agreement is for protecting future generations from the suffering we endured through the COVID-19 pandemic. I thank them for their clear commitment to finding common ground and finalising this historic agreement in time for the World Health Assembly." Dr Precious Matsoso, Co-Chair of the INB Bureau, also expressed the collective goal, "There is clear recognition from governments that the goal of a pandemic agreement is to prepare the world for preventing and responding to future pandemics, built on consensus, solidarity, and equity. These goals must remain our North Star as we move toward the finalisation of this historic, pressing commitment for the world."

Ghana has been ranked as the 4th most stressful country for workers in Sub-Saharan Africa, according to the 2023 Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace report. The survey revealed that Ghanaian workers experience stress daily, placing the country high on the list of stress-inducing work environments in the region, MyJoy Online reports. Chad topped the list, followed by Uganda, Tanzania, and Sierra Leone. Despite ongoing recovery efforts from the pandemic, employee stress levels remain high. "While the debate over remote, hybrid, or on-site work continues, employee engagement remains paramount in reducing stress levels. The flexibility of remote work offers autonomy and well-being, valued highly by today’s workers," the report stated.

IMF requests tariff adjustment

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has urged Ghana to implement strict reforms to empower utility service providers to ensure reliable and sustainable power for households and industries. Speaking at a press briefing in Accra, IMF representatives emphasized the need for an enabling environment for private sector players to increase renewable energy use. “Sometimes, the setup of the energy sector does not provide the utilities the ability to have cost recovery from the charges that they make to operate profitably and efficiently and supply energy as needed,” said Catherine Pattillo, an IMF Deputy Director. The call for tariff adjustments comes amidst recent power outages in Ghana, attributed to financial challenges in procuring fuel for power plants.

Injunction against genetically modified crops dismissed

The Human Rights Court 1 has dismissed an interlocutory injunction application filed by Food Sovereignty Ghana and others against the National Biosafety Authority (NBA) over the approval of 14 genetically modified organism (GMO) crops for food, feed, and processing in Ghana, according to local media Graphic Online . The court acknowledged the NBA's diligence in ensuring the safety and regulatory compliance of GMO crops in Ghana.

Press freedom ranking improves

Ghana has moved up 12 places in the World Press Freedom Index, ranking 50th globally. While this indicates progress, challenges remain, particularly regarding political interference in journalism. Recent incidents, including attacks on journalists and interruptions during media coverage, highlight ongoing concerns about press freedom in Ghana, the Accra Times reports. “This is what happened in Nigeria (ranked 112th in the 2024 World Press Freedom Index), where nearly 20 reporters were attacked in early 2023. In Madagascar (100th), ten were attacked by political activities during pre-election protests. In the Democratic Republic of Congo (123rd), where politicians often try to intimidate media personnel, the journalist Stanis Bujakera’s detention pending trial on a trumped-up charge prevented him from covering the run-up to the elections,” the report notes.

31 new COVID-19 cases

The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has reported 31 new cases of COVID-19 in the country in the past week. While the cases are not severe, health officials stress the importance of vaccination and containment measures. A national vaccination exercise is set to commence on May 5th, underscoring efforts to minimize the spread of the virus and protect public health, local media Citi News reports. “In the past week or so, we were recording some significant numbers up to about 30 or 31 or so. But this is not unexpected. As we have already been saying, COVID has come to stay with us. It is part of us. And so from time to time and that is why we also haven’t given up on vaccination and so if you are aware, from 5th to 9th May, we are going to do another exercise of COVID vaccination. So we are doing the national COVID-19 vaccination exercise as part of our strategies to reduce COVID to the barest minimum,” Programmes Manager at the Expanded Programme on Immunization at the Ghana Health Service, Dr Kwame Amponsah-Achiano said.

Emmanuel Mungunasi, the World Bank's senior country economist, said during the report’s launch that while Tanzania has seen economic growth, it has mainly benefited modern sectors with limited employment opportunities for those in impoverished households.

"The pandemic has exacerbated poverty in Tanzania, pushing an additional 3 million people into hardship. This underscores the critical need for adequate healthcare and a robust social protection system," Mr Mungunasi was quoted by Tanzanian local media The Citizen .

According to the report , the situation only worsened over time, with an additional 300,000 individuals falling into poverty by December 2023, bringing the total to 17.3 million. Despite the presence of the pandemic and external tensions such as regional conflicts, Tanzania managed to sustain economic growth.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, a rooftop solar scheme aimed at providing free electricity to 1 crore (ten million) households. With an investment exceeding Rs 75,000 crores (about $9 million), this initiative will offer up to 300 units of free electricity monthly. The central government will ensure no financial burden on the people by providing significant subsidies directly to their bank accounts and offering highly concessional bank loans. Urban Local Bodies and Panchayats will be encouraged to promote rooftop solar systems, aiming to increase income, reduce power bills, and generate employment opportunities, reports local media Times of India .

Farmers protest

Chaos at the Shambhu border as protesting farmers broke through police barricades in an attempt to cross over, leading to clashes with the Haryana police who detained several farmers. Farmers from Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan have converged at the Punjab-Haryana Shambhu border, prompting authorities to block all routes into Delhi with barricades and nails to prevent further incursions, local media The Statesman reports. The farmers demand a minimum support price (MSP) for their produce, an assurance made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the repeal of the three contentious farm laws in November 2021.

Temporary jail

The Delhi government has rejected the Centre's proposal to repurpose the Bawana stadium into a temporary jail ahead of the farmers' march to the national capital. Minister Kailash Gahlot, in a letter to Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar, emphasized solidarity with the farmers' cause, highlighting their constitutional right to peaceful protest and the genuineness of their demands. He urged the Central Government to engage in dialogue with the farmers and address their grievances rather than resorting to arrests, local media Daily Pioneer reported.

COVID cases

India has witnessed four COVID-19-related fatalities along with 123 new positive cases between February 12 and February 13, as reported by the Union Health Ministry. The death toll has now reached 533,466 with two deaths in Delhi, and one each in Maharashtra and Gujarat. The total number of Covid cases in the country has risen to 450,273,048, including cases of the JN.1 Covid variant. Karnataka reported 39 new cases, followed by Maharashtra with 28, and Chhattisgarh with 13. Additionally, five cases were recorded in the national capital. 114 individuals have recovered from the disease, contributing to a total recovery tally of 44,493,006 , reports local media The Statesman .

India-Qatar partnership

India and Qatar maintain historically close and friendly relations, with ties deepening in recent years, according to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In a statement ahead of his visit to Doha, Modi expressed anticipation for a meeting with Qatar's Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, recognizing Qatar's remarkable growth and transformation under his leadership, local media New Indian Express reported. Modi's visit to Qatar follows his two-day trip to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The announcement of his visit coincided with the release of seven out of eight Indian Navy personnel who had been sentenced to death in Qatar.

The Costa Rican Health Surveillance Directorate has reported that in the last five years, 139 Costa Ricans have died from methanol-adulterated alcoholic beverages. According to local media Teletica , the poisonings began in 2019 with 126 poisonings related to the consumption of colourless alcohol. The number of fatalities increased in 2021, but recovery rates remained low. There was an 88.2% decrease in number of cases in 2023.

Pediatric COVID-19 vaccines

Costa Rica has received a donation of 12,000 doses of pediatric COVID-19 vaccines from the United States, half for children aged six months to five years and the rest for minors aged five to 11, local media El Pais reported. According to El Pais, the vaccines will be available in healthcare centres of the Costa Rican Social Security Fund starting on February 12. Three weeks ago, Panama donated anti-COVID-19 vaccines to Costa Rica, with the majority intended for adult recipients over the age of 12 and a smaller portion designated for paediatric use. The Latin American nation has reported a rise in COVID-19 infections, hospitalisations, and deaths since December of last year; however, notifications from the prior week indicate a decline in SARS-Cov-2-related sickness., El Pais reports.

Seized cocaine in Guatemala

525 kilogrammes of cocaine concealed in a container that arrived at a port on the Pacific from Costa Rica were taken into custody by Guatemalan anti-drug officials, according to official sources on February 10.  The drugs were seized in a metal box container at a port 110 kilometres from Guatemala City, local media AM Prensa reports. The Guatemala authorities told reporters that the operation started in the afternoon on February 9 and that there was a possibility of a rise in narcotics seizures.

Cocoa excellence award

Costa Rica's Chocolatera del Volcán company won the gold award at the 2023 Cacao of Excellence Awards in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The award recognizes exceptional cocoa producers for their superior quality and diversity of flavours. A total of 222 cocoa bean samples from 52 different sources, including Africa and the Indian Ocean, Asia and the Pacific, Central America and the Caribbean, and South America, competed with the Costa Rican sample. Costa Rica took part in the awards ceremony for the Caribbean and Central America area, El Pais reports.

Taekwondo champions

The Costa Rican taekwondo team won gold and silver medals at the Canadian Open Taekwondo 2024 event. Young players Alejandro Román, Carlos Jiménez, and Fabián Carrillo won gold and silver medals while other members of the team placed in respectful positions at the competition. “There is no point in having teams if they do not compete internationally. The idea is to maintain the level of our athletes against the best in the world. We are going to the Canadian Open with nine taekwondo players where we hope that 2024 will be as successful as 2023 was,” Wilmar Alvarado, president of the Costa Rican Taekwondo Federation is quoted by local media La República .

Health Promotion Officer at the Nsanje District Health Office, George Mbotwa, said measures are in place to meet senior health officials at the Ministry of Health headquarters in the capital Lilongwe on January 16 to address the issue.

It is still unknown whether the new cases were imported from neighbouring Mozambique which shares borders with Malawi.

According to Nyasa Times , the disease killed over 1000 Malawians between 2020 and 2021 before the containment of same with vaccines introduced by the World Health Organisation and other donors.

Many Malawi citizens have expressed concern about the development, the report said. 

The new variant of COVID, JN.1, is spreading rapidly worldwide, and Colombia is no exception. During the week of December 16 to 22, 7,930 new cases and 80 deaths due to COVID were recorded, as reported by El Colombiano . Authorities in cities like Barranquilla have stated that they are on alert after the holiday season.

Former senator freed from prison

Former senator Arturo Char was freed from prison on Monday, January 8, after a judge in Santa Marta ordered his release due to the expiration of terms, as reported by El Tiempo . His defense argued that 120 days had passed without resolving his legal situation. The politician is under investigation for alleged electoral corruption.

Forest fires in Antioquia

During the Three Kings' holiday weekend, Antioquia recorded eight wildfires. The largest occurred on Cerro de la Cruz in Copacabana, affecting approximately 15 hectares, according to El Colombiano . Carlos Ríos Puerta, the general director of the Administrative Department of Disaster Risk Management in Antioquia, stated that a total of 24 wildfires have been reported so far in 2024, with 20 involving vegetation. He also stated that authorities are monitoring the situation to prevent the rekindling of fires.

Criminal network in Cartagena  

Authorities in Cartagena have dismantled an alleged criminal network accused of human trafficking. A German man and six Colombians are suspected of sexually exploiting underage and adult women and have been arrested. The network allegedly offered sex and drugs tourism packages to its clients, as reported by El Espectador.

Attempts to recover the Pan American Games  

Efforts to recover the 2027 Pan American Games have intensified following Panam Sports' announcement that it was withdrawing the venue from Barranquilla due to the lack of two payments from Colombia. It is expected that President Gustavo Petro will announce an action plan on Tuesday, January 9, according to El Espectador . Pan-American confederations from various sports have also sent a letter to Panam Sports requesting reconsideration of the decision.

"At first, people cough for a long time. Afterwards, they begin to have fever and headaches. The most threatened are children and the elderly. Once in the hospital, they are tested to see if they do not suffer from malaria, but the results are all negative," a resident told RPA.

Faced with this alarming situation, residents have urged the government to equip local health facilities with the necessary means and equipment to identify and address the disease promptly.

"The last two weeks, at least 14 people have died on the only sub-hill of Mukaza, Mugera Hill. We have also heard that in other hills like Kaniha and everywhere else, people die in large numbers,” said another source in Mishiha, a commune in the Cankuzo province.

Residents in Cankuzo have expressed concerns that these deaths may be attributed to COVID-19 and have urged the government, specifically the Ministry of Public Health, to supply the necessary resources for coronavirus screening in health institutions within the province to prevent further fatalities.

According to sources, 14 individuals with these symptoms have already died, and an additional two patients, displaying similar signs, including a national from Muyaga Hill, a forest in Rwanda passed away at Cankuzo Hospital, the report disclosed.

Costa Rica's Supreme Election Court (TSE) has announced a pilot plan for an electronic voting system in 28 cantons for the Latin American nation’s 2024 Municipal Elections.  The technology will be applied to 499 polling stations, less than 10% of the total polling stations across the nation. The pilot plan will be implemented in 9 cantons in the San José province. The total cost of the system is estimated to be $1.9 million, local media Diaro Extra reported. According to the TSE, the system will not record voters’ choices or the time the choices were made.

Tonnes of marijuana seized on the Pacific

Costa Rican Coast Guard officers seized over a ton of marijuana in the Costa Rican Pacific, a joint effort with the US. The drug shipment, believed to be transported by Costa Ricans, was found in a small fishing boat without a license plate, local media Teletica reported. “There are 1.3 tons of marijuana seized in an international operation, where the United States alerts our coast guard. On the high seas, the drugs were being transferred from a fast ship to a panga that was then seized when it touched the coast, in the Boca Chica sector, in Puerto Cortés de Osa,” Costa Rica Minster of Security Mario Zamora is quoted by Teletica. The Coast Guard is still searching for the drug traffickers who fled through the mountains. In 2023, 30 tons of drugs have been seized, including 15 tons of marijuana and 15 tons of cocaine, Teletica reports.

Increase in COVID-19 infections

The Costa Rica Ministry of Health has reported a 14.5% increase in COVID-19 infections in the Latin nation during November 2023. The Health Surveillance Directorate of the Health Ministry reported that about 150 patients were notified between November 27 to December 3. The COVID-19 variant that causes the most infections is the XBB.1.5 of omicron, local media Crhoy reported

Rise in dengue cases

The Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS) has reported 13 dengue hospitalisations and 26,487 new diagnoses in the last week. The hospitalised group were people between the ages of 1 to 78 with eight of them being minors, Teletica reported. The CCSS warned all Costa Ricans to protect themselves during the dry season and to employ sanitary measures like regular cleaning of boats, and black plastics and emptying containers used for water storage at homes.

Ransomware attacks

Costa Rica has been ranked as the second nation in Central America with the most cases of ransomware attacks according to a report by cybersecurity company Kaspersky . The Latin American nation recorded 5,100 attempted attacks between June 2022 to July 2023 “The online scams we analyzed in this section of the study demonstrate that victims often look for free alternatives to avoid paying for a service, which can lead to the installation of malware on their devices. Unfortunately, in Latin America, the culture of free often leads to piracy, which puts users at risk. Avoiding this problem requires the adoption of safe practices and the use of official software and programs,” said Fabio Assolini, director of the Kaspersky Global Research and Analysis Team for Latin America in a statement.

The agency emphasized that these cases are not new, reiterating that Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a known and common pathogen causing various infections, including colds and pneumonia.

While it can affect all age groups, individuals with weak immune systems and those in closed settings are at a higher risk of severe disease.

Responding to concerns, the Health Department stated that there is no outbreak of walking pneumonia in the Philippines.

The detected cases were part of routine ILI surveillance, and the agency highlighted that the transmission of Mycoplasma pneumoniae and other respiratory pathogens can be prevented through regular handwashing, masking, ensuring adequate ventilation, and vaccination updates.

Health Secretary Ted Herbosa clarified during a Commission on Appointments meeting that while there is an increase in respiratory illnesses in children globally, there is no walking pneumonia outbreak in the Philippines.

He emphasized the importance of following preventive measures, including social distancing, mask-wearing, and cough etiquette, especially during the respiratory illness season.

The Health Department also acknowledged that the disease may have entered the country and has been previously confirmed but is not officially categorized as walking pneumonia.

It urged doctors to consider antibiotics if symptoms persist for two to four weeks, and patients are advised to undergo a COVID-19 test as needed.

In its latest Report on Least Developed Countries , the UN says at least 15 million more people in LDCs have fallen into extreme poverty since the pandemic.

The report noted that the fiscal space which is a government’s capacity to absorb drops in public revenue has been squeezed by global crises like COVID-19 in these countries. This limits their ability to implement development policies and forces tough choices such as choosing between paying their external debt or investing in health, education and climate action.

The decline of fiscal space in LDCs is evident in key indicators such as the debt-to-GDP ratio which grew from 45.5 percent in 2019 to 55.4 percent in 2022 (the highest since 2005) according to the report.

To manage the situation, these LDCs have borrowed and spent more to strengthen social safety nets and economic support.

“Their dependence on volatile commodities such as oil, copper and cotton, contributes to the problem. Between 2019 and 2021, a staggering 74% of LDCs relied on these raw materials for at least 60% of their merchandise export earnings. When prices drop, their fiscal space shrinks drastically,” parts of the report stated.

The UN is therefore urging bold action from the international community to ensure these countries have better access to affordable, long-term international financing, especially from public sources.

LDCs must also enhance domestic resource mobilization, the report further noted.

Least Developed countries are developing countries listed by the UN that exhibit the lowest indicators of socioeconomic development.

These countries, 46 in total include Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Benin, Lesotho, and Ethiopia among others.

The United Nation’s Least Developed Countries Report explores LDC-specific development challenges annually.