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- Switzerland — An eight-year-old received a police record for attempting to spend fake spirit money. The boy used Chinese spiritual-offering banknotes at a grocery store, apparently without understanding their purpose. Police photographed him and recorded the incident as counterfeiting. The heavy-handed response surprised residents because of his age and presumed innocence, attracted public embarrassment, and was discussed in parliament.
- Israel — Chevron’s $4 billion acquisition of Noble Energy opened a major opportunity for Israeli natural gas development. Although an American transaction involving a Texas-based company, Noble Energy had developed substantial natural gas interests in and around Israeli waters. The acquisition could help create a new Israeli resource economy in a country that had historically avoided energy development to preserve political stability with Arab oil-producing states. It also suggested greater regional acceptance of Israeli commercial activity.
- Togo — The country became the first in Africa to eliminate sleeping sickness. The sometimes-fatal parasitic disease, transmitted by flies and found primarily in rural communities across 36 African countries, was eliminated through more than two decades of public-health measures. Across Africa, deaths from the disease had fallen 90% from their early-1990s peak of approximately 34,000 annually.
- Sierra Leone — Pregnant girls and young women regained the right to attend school and sit examinations. Previously, pregnancy automatically prevented them from completing their education. Reversing the ban potentially gives tens of thousands of young women access to qualifications and better economic opportunities.
- Laos — Researchers identified a likely impact crater from a meteorite that struck Earth approximately 800,000 years ago. The suspected crater measures roughly 17 kilometres long and 13 kilometres wide, with approximately 90 metres of rock inside it. The impact scattered glass particles called tektites across more than 10% of the planet. The crater had remained hidden beneath more than 300 metres of lava until road construction exposed part of it on a hillside.
- Paraguay — Brazilian football star Ronaldinho spent six months detained over a falsified passport. He entered Paraguay in March using an illegal passport, claiming he did not know it was fake. He spent more than a month in prison before being transferred to a luxury hotel under house arrest for approximately four additional months while governments worked through his legal case. Reports of parties and karaoke sessions at the hotel attracted attention.
- Bulgaria and Norway — A three-month-old Chihuahua faced euthanasia over a falsified passport until Jean-Claude Van Damme intervened. The dog, Raya, had travelled from Bulgaria to Norway after being adopted. Bulgaria initially refused to accept her return, but Van Damme publicly campaigned for her on social media. Bulgaria eventually agreed to repatriate her and arrange another adoption.
- Israel and Lebanon — The two countries began historic maritime negotiations over disputed natural-gas territory. Their first mediation process in 30 years concerned approximately 850 square kilometres of the Mediterranean Sea, with both claiming the area as part of their exclusive economic zones. Although they communicated through American mediators rather than directly, their shared interest in energy development created an opening for negotiations.
- Libya — The country's two principal warring factions agreed to a ceasefire following UN-mediated negotiations in Geneva. The agreement offered hope after years of bloody conflict and potentially reduced tensions involving outside powers, particularly Russia and Turkey, which had previously intervened in the country.
- Nicaragua — Indigenous communities faced killings and illegal land seizures linked to timber and mining interests. Reports alleged that the government was actively promoting land grabs inside protected areas and that more than 40 Indigenous people had been killed. Police reportedly refused to investigate. The controversy was compounded by President Daniel Ortega's family connections to one of the most active timber companies operating in the protected region.
- Guatemala and El Salvador — Guatemala offered its neighbour access to an Atlantic Ocean port. El Salvador has a Pacific coastline but no Atlantic coastline of its own. The proposed port would be developed through an initial public-private partnership, with hotels, warehouses and supporting infrastructure expected to follow. The project could establish a significant Salvadoran commercial presence in Guatemala.
- Kyrgyzstan — President Sooronbay Jeenbekov resigned after a disputed election and a week in hiding. He had publicly insisted only hours before his announcement that he would not step down. His sudden reversal raised questions about possible threats from a criminal-backed political group. At the same time, anti-government protesters freed a former kidnapper from prison, and that individual emerged as the country's new leader, creating further concerns about the direction of its political system.
- Turkmenistan — The president erected a 19-foot golden statue of his favourite dog breed in the capital. The Alabai shepherd dog has long been an obsession of the country's president. The extravagant monument highlighted an uncomfortable contrast: Turkmenistan is also known for an exceptionally repressive government that prevents human-rights organisations from entering the country.
- Australia and Singapore — Sun Cable announced a proposed $20 billion solar farm in the Australian outback. The project would cover approximately 30,000 acres and generate 10 gigawatts of electricity. Roughly two-thirds of the energy would be transported north through undersea high-voltage cables to Singapore. If completed on schedule, Singapore could begin receiving solar power from Australia by 2027.
- Denmark — The European Union's largest oil producer decided to stop all new North Sea oil and gas exploration. The decision formed part of its commitment to phase out fossil-fuel extraction by 2050. Existing operations across 20 fields and 55 platforms would continue, but the government would no longer pursue new exploration.
- Finland — White-faced saki monkeys at a zoo unexpectedly preferred traffic noises to natural jungle sounds. Researchers offered the animals recordings of traffic, jungle environments, relaxing sounds and dance music. The monkeys overwhelmingly favoured honking cars and screeching tyres, rather than the sounds of their natural habitat.
- Slovakia — President Zuzana Caputova withdrew from a defence conference after discovering that Huawei was sponsoring it. She cited security concerns and her personal principles, noting accusations that the Chinese telecommunications company was involved in foreign interference. Huawei subsequently withdrew its sponsorship, allowing Caputova to attend and deliver her speech.
- Republic of the Congo — The European Union withdrew funding from a proposed WWF national park following allegations of abuse against Indigenous communities. Anti-poaching guards working in the proposed protected area were accused of physically attacking Indigenous residents and restricting their movement across their traditional lands. The WWF funding application had specifically represented the communities as supportive of the project. Whether that support had disappeared or had never genuinely existed was unclear, leaving the project's future uncertain.
- Norway — Domestic consumption of whale meat increased despite the country's traditionally export-oriented whaling industry. Norway is one of only three countries permitting commercial whaling. It had typically exported much of its whale meat to Japan, but Norwegian consumers were increasingly choosing locally sourced products, including minke whale meat harvested in domestic waters.
- Costa Rica — Researchers documented an unusual mating display among wrinkle-faced bats. Males gather in groups, perform coordinated displays and fold the excess skin around their faces upwards, resembling a neck gaiter. The unusual behaviour appears to help attract females.
- Palestine — Three peace activists faced potential imprisonment and hard labour for organising an online conversation with Israelis. Their Zoom meeting attracted more than 200 participants and viewers and formed part of an initiative called Skype with Your Enemy. Palestinian officials charged the organisers with weakening revolutionary spirit because communication with Israelis was considered a prohibited normalisation activity.
- Oman — Sultan Qaboos died aged 79, ending one of the Arab world's longest-running reigns. Having no children, he was succeeded by his cousin after years of speculation involving more than 80 potential successors. International leaders recognised Qaboos for his diplomatic approach and relatively peaceful leadership transition.
- Liberia — Air France restored its direct Paris-to-Monrovia flight after a nine-year absence. The inaugural service used an Airbus A350 and landed at the refurbished Robert International Airport. Liberian officials expected the connection to strengthen commercial and diplomatic links with France and improve access from destinations including the United States, United Kingdom, India and China.
- The Arctic — A time capsule buried at the North Pole in 2018 was discovered far earlier than expected because of melting ice. Its contents were expected to remain buried for approximately 40 years, but they washed ashore in Ireland after travelling roughly 3,700 kilometres. The discovery provided another indication of rapid Arctic environmental change. Some scientists predicted that the Arctic could experience ice-free summers by 2035.
- New Zealand — Thirteen parties faced charges following the White Island volcanic eruption that killed 22 people. The 2019 disaster killed tourists, including children and older visitors, during organised excursions to an active volcano. Lawsuits alleged negligence in allowing visitors onto the island. The island is privately owned by a family, tours were operated by a small group of companies, and the site remained closed to visitors.
- Sudan and the Central African Republic — A Sudanese militia leader was arrested after 13 years as a fugitive. He was captured in a remote area of the Central African Republic near the Sudanese border. He was accused of crimes against humanity, including mass murder, rape and looting during the early 2000s Darfur conflict. The wider humanitarian crisis resulted in approximately 300,000 deaths and displaced 2.7 million people. His subsequent trial at The Hague offered the possibility of accountability for victims.
- Mauritania and Senegal — The countries reached a fishing agreement after Mauritania suspended Senegalese fishing access. Mauritania had accused Senegal of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing that cost it up to $300 million in lost revenue. Under the new arrangement, Senegal would pay Mauritania for the fish it actually caught rather than face punitive fines.
- Panama — The law firm behind the Panama Papers sued Netflix over its portrayal in the film The Laundromat. Jürgen Mossack and Ramón Fonseca, whose firm was connected to the 2016 leak of 11.5 million documents, objected to their depiction as ruthless, unethical and uncaring lawyers. They alleged defamation and sought to stop Netflix from streaming the film, which had already been shown at European film festivals.
- Kuwait — Authorities disbanded a censorship committee responsible for banning more than 5,000 books over seven years. The Ministry of Information would no longer have the committee's power to censor imported books or control titles published domestically. Previously banned works included Victor Hugo's The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Gabriel García Márquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude. The decision represented a significant relaxation of official literary censorship.
- Germany, Croatia and the United States — Former Volkswagen executive Alex Eiser was arrested while crossing into Croatia. The German national was wanted in the United States over software designed to deceive vehicle emissions inspections during Volkswagen's emissions scandal. Germany protected its own citizens from extradition, but Croatia had an extradition treaty with the United States signed the previous year. His arrest in June potentially cleared the way for prosecution in America.
- Moldova — Maia Sandu defeated pro-Russian incumbent Igor Dodon to become the country's first female president. The Harvard-educated former prime minister campaigned on anti-corruption, closer European relationships and greater recognition of Moldova's Romanian roots. Approximately 75% of the population speaks Romanian. Her victory represented a shift towards the West in a country situated between increasingly Western-oriented Romania and Ukraine.
- Georgia — The government introduced a year-long visa programme for remote workers from 95 countries. The programme, called Remotely From Georgia, required applicants to earn at least $2,000 per month and hold health insurance. The conditions were designed to attract financially independent visitors who could contribute to the country's struggling economy.
- Eritrea and Ethiopia — Eritrean activists challenged the European Union over alleged forced labour connected to an African infrastructure project. A group of Eritreans living in the Netherlands alleged that EU-funded construction equipment was being operated by conscripted labourers to build a road linking the Ethiopia-Eritrea border with the Eritrean port of Massawa. The project formed part of a $6 billion EU investment programme intended partly to reduce migration from Africa to Europe. The allegations raised questions about how European development money was monitored.
- Uruguay — Almost 20,000 Argentinians relocated north after Uruguay introduced attractive tax-residency incentives. Uruguay reduced the minimum property investment required for tax residency from $1.7 million to $380,000 and offered a ten-year tax holiday. The migration represented approximately 0.6% of Uruguay's population of 3.5 million, illustrating how wealthy individuals were changing their residence during the pandemic.
- Bosnia-Herzegovina — Saudi developer Dar Al Arkan announced the country's largest real-estate development. The proposed project outside Sarajevo would cover approximately five million square feet and include residential properties and hotels. It was intended as a second-home destination for Bosnian and international buyers while expanding the developer's international presence.
- Mongolia — A GPS-tracked cuckoo completed an extraordinary 8,000-mile migration between South Africa and Mongolia. The bird's return journey covered approximately 13,000 kilometres and included 27 international border crossings. Scientists tracking it were surprised that it survived the journey, which ranked among the longest recorded migrations by a land bird.
- Armenia and Azerbaijan — A ceasefire followed the renewed war, despite limited American diplomatic involvement. The United States had previously participated actively in peace negotiations, but the Trump administration's America First approach reduced its diplomatic engagement. Russian peacekeepers subsequently reported that the ceasefire had been tested and broken. The incoming Biden administration's willingness to become more involved remained uncertain.
- Jamaica — The government began promoting bamboo as a potential alternative economic driver to traditional industries such as rum. Bamboo grows quickly and can replace conventional timber in products including paper, tissues and clothing. The initiative built on Jamaica's existing environmental policies, including its 2019 ban on plastic bags and Styrofoam. The government saw sustainability as both an environmental necessity and an economic opportunity.
- North Macedonia and Albania — Both countries restarted negotiations to join the European Union. Their accession processes had been suspended for two years while EU members questioned their democratic records and corruption problems. Renewed negotiations suggested that those objections had been sufficiently addressed to restore momentum towards membership.
- Qatar and Australia — Qatar abruptly cancelled subsidies supporting Australian lamb imports. Australia supplied Qatar with a trade worth approximately $300 million annually, making Qatar its third-largest lamb export destination after the United States and China. The subsidies had been expected to continue until 2023. Some observers linked their cancellation to Australia's criticism of Qatar following the questionable strip-searching of 13 Australian women at Doha International Airport. Qatar denied retaliation and said it wanted greater food sustainability and independence.
- Lithuania — Divers discovered a remarkably preserved 16th-century soldier underwater during a bridge survey. The remains included leather boots with spurs, a leather belt and buckle, and an iron sword. Historical records indicated that a bridge had occupied the location approximately 500 years earlier, although the current bridge dated to 1934. It was Lithuania's first reported discovery of underwater human remains.
- Namibia — The government offered 170 elephants for sale following a major conservation-driven population recovery. The country's elephant population increased from approximately 7,500 in 1995 to 24,000 in 2019. However, the growing population intensified human-elephant conflict and competition for natural resources during a drought. Selling some animals through an auction was intended to ease pressure on communities and generate conservation funding.
- The Gambia — President Adama Barrow reversed his earlier promise to hold elections after three years and sought to serve his full five-year term. Barrow had taken office in 2017 after 22 years of dictatorship and initially promised an early election. Protests against his change of position resulted in 137 arrests and dozens of additional detentions. Some residents feared the government's response was reminiscent of the country's previous authoritarian period.
- Botswana — Louis Vuitton purchased the world's second-largest mined diamond. The 1,758-carat stone was discovered at the Karowe mine in 2019 and subsequently acquired by the French luxury company. Although the purchase price was not disclosed, estimates placed it around $50 million. The acquisition signalled Louis Vuitton's ambitions to establish itself in the high-end jewellery market.
- Gabon — Researchers discovered and tagged the largest recorded pangolin. Pangolins are among the world's most heavily trafficked animals, with substantial demand coming from Asia. Their meat and scales are sought after, while their bones are also used in traditional Chinese medicine. Researchers hoped that tracking the animal's movements and behaviour would improve conservation efforts.
- Lesotho — Former prime minister Thomas Thabane denied involvement in his former wife's murder despite allegations of a financial arrangement to kill her. Police reports alleged that he had paid a $20,000 down payment towards a $180,000 murder contract. His ex-wife was shot in a car two days before his inauguration. She had previously rejected divorce to retain her position as First Lady. Thabane remarried two months after her death but eventually resigned amid the controversy.
- North Macedonia — The government considered turning the country into a major cannabis-producing economy. Medical marijuana had been legal since 2016, but officials were considering broader legalisation and expanded production for Western European markets. Although some Western European countries permitted limited cannabis consumption, they did not generally permit the same large-scale cultivation. Government officials signalled support for making North Macedonia a potential cannabis superpower.
- Slovenia — A wooden statue of Melania Trump was burned and subsequently replaced with a bronze version. The original sculpture stood in her hometown of Sevnica, a town of approximately 5,000 residents. Since Donald Trump became president in 2016, the town had attracted upwards of 20,000 Melania-related tourists annually. The artist replaced the wooden sculpture with a more durable material after the July arson attack.
- Guinea-Bissau — More than 1,000 hooded vultures died after accidentally consuming poisoned waste. Residents had placed strychnine in landfills to control feral dogs, but scavenging vultures consumed the poison. The incident reflected a wider African conservation problem, with accidental poisoning threatening vulture populations across the continent.
- Latvia — A woman became the country's first female recipient of paternity leave. She took ten days off following the birth of her child after challenging a ruling that had prevented both members of same-sex couples from receiving parental leave. She argued that the restriction was unconstitutional and successfully used the paternity-leave entitlement.
- Bahrain — The Gulf state purchased a minority stake in French football club Paris FC. The investment was intended partly to attract European attention and improve Bahrain's international reputation. The country continued to face criticism over its suppression of pro-democracy movements during the Arab Spring, making international sports investment one way to rebuild its image.
- Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago — Venezuelan refugees continued crossing into the Caribbean island nation, sometimes with fatal consequences. By late 2020, Trinidad and Tobago had almost 20,000 registered Venezuelan refugees. In one incident, 11 Venezuelans, including children, died attempting to cross the Gulf of Paria, a stretch of water less than 11 kilometres wide.
- Guinea — President Alpha Condé secured another term after a constitutional change allowed him to seek a third. The referendum enabling a third presidential term had been widely viewed as designed for Condé. Protests occurred both when the constitutional change was introduced and after his October re-election, in which he received nearly 60% of the vote. Dozens died in demonstrations, but Condé was subsequently sworn into office.
- Estonia and the United States — American cyber-defence personnel travelled to Estonia to study its sophisticated protection against Russian cyberattacks. The visit took place before the November 2020 American election, with Russian hackers a central concern. Estonia had previously experienced Russian malware and disinformation campaigns and developed stronger defensive systems as a result.
- Australia and East Timor — A long-running whistleblower case exposed Australian espionage during oil and gas negotiations. In the 2004 case, anonymous whistleblower Witness K and lawyer Bernard Colleary revealed that Australia had spied on East Timorese officials discussing negotiations over resources in the Timor Sea. East Timor was one of the world's poorer countries, and the revelations helped it obtain a fairer financial agreement. Colleary received a free-speech award for his work on the case.
- Mauritius — An oil tanker disaster threatened the island's marine environment and tourism industry. A Japanese tanker ran aground in July, spilling approximately 1,000 tons of fuel into the surrounding sea. More than 40 dolphins subsequently washed ashore. The incident raised fears of wider environmental damage to the lagoons, jungles and coastal ecosystems that attract approximately 1.3 million tourists annually.
- Cyprus — The country suspended its controversial golden-passport programme after corruption allegations. During its seven-year existence, more than 3,000 foreign investors reportedly received citizenship after investing approximately $2 million each. The programme generated around $7 billion for Cyprus, but allegations of corruption eventually led authorities to close it, making it harder for wealthy foreigners to purchase access to European Union citizenship.
- Eswatini — The country opened a consulate in Laayoune, in the disputed Western Sahara region, siding diplomatically with Morocco. Western Sahara is claimed by both Morocco and the Polisario Front, and many governments avoid taking an explicit position. Eswatini's decision made it the 15th country to establish a consulate supporting Morocco's presence in the territory.
- Djibouti — Scientists rediscovered a mouse-sized elephant shrew that had not been observed for 50 years. Researchers found 12 animals among approximately 1,000 traps. Unlike some other rediscovered species, its habitat was not considered under immediate threat, raising hopes that the population would remain accessible for future research.
- Fiji — Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama became the first world leader to congratulate Joe Biden on his presidential election victory. His congratulatory message also called on Biden to address the climate emergency and return the United States to the Paris Climate Agreement. The announcement demonstrated Fiji's interest in using its diplomatic relationship with Washington to advance climate policy.
- Comoros and China — A small donation became an early symbol of solidarity between the two countries during the pandemic. At the beginning of the crisis, Comoros donated €100 to China to support its fight against the virus. COVID-19 subsequently reached Comoros in late April. The relationship continued through Chinese economic and military investment in the East African island nation.
- Guyana — Major offshore oil discoveries positioned the country to become a significant global petroleum producer. ExxonMobil identified potential reserves of approximately eight billion barrels, with possible revenues exceeding $20 billion. The World Bank pledged $55 million to support the country's development. However, critics argued that encouraging a new oil economy contradicted international efforts to reduce fossil-fuel dependence.
- Bhutan and China — China constructed and occupied a village inside territory recognised as belonging to Bhutan. The settlement was reportedly approximately 1.6 kilometres inside Bhutan's border. The development occurred while China, India and Bhutan continued negotiations over their definitive boundaries. Their 25th round of talks had been delayed during the pandemic, highlighting Bhutan's vulnerability to territorial pressure from its much larger neighbour.
- Solomon Islands — The government planned to ban Facebook amid concerns about political criticism and online activity. The proposed ban would place the country alongside China, Iran and North Korea, which already restricted the platform. Officials argued that citizens were abusing political leaders and accessing dangerous information. Facebook had previously been used to organise protests that severely disrupted the capital, leading critics to suspect the proposed ban was intended to suppress opposition.
- Montenegro — The country purchased 67 American Joint Light Tactical Vehicles for $36 million. The transaction formed part of a military purchasing arrangement between NATO allies. The United States and its Western partners viewed Montenegro as a friendly country and sought to strengthen regional relationships while reducing Russia's historical influence in the Balkans.
- Luxembourg — The country became the first in the world to make public transportation entirely free. The policy was designed to encourage people to use public transport instead of private vehicles and was expected to save households approximately $125 annually. Private vehicles accounted for 71% of leisure travel and 47% of business travel. The capital's new tramway offered an additional alternative, although first-class passengers still had to pay.
- Suriname — Chan Santokhi became president and inherited a country facing financial collapse and diplomatic difficulties. He replaced a dictator-turned-populist whose government had a poor economic record and corruption controversies. Suriname had increasingly developed relationships with China and Venezuela, and Santokhi was expected to redirect its international relationships towards the Netherlands, its former colonial power.
- Cape Verde — A Japanese couple stranded by pandemic travel restrictions became informal ambassadors for the country. The couple had been travelling around the world on their honeymoon when they became stuck on the West African island nation for five months. After building relationships with local residents, they were selected to represent Cape Verde at the Tokyo Summer Olympics. The country expected to send three or four athletes despite never having won a Summer Olympic medal.
- Maldives — The United States announced plans to open an embassy as competition for influence in the Indian Ocean intensified. India and China had both provided substantial financial support to the island nation. Chinese infrastructure loans had become increasingly difficult for the Maldives to repay, creating concerns about debt-trap diplomacy. Washington presented its involvement as an alternative approach to Chinese influence.
- Malta and the United Kingdom — David Attenborough's gift to Prince George prompted a dispute over cultural ownership. Attenborough gave the seven-year-old prince a fossilised shark tooth that he had collected in Malta more than 50 years earlier. The approximately 23-million-year-old fossil likely belonged to a megalodon. Maltese officials argued that it should remain part of their national cultural heritage, but eventually decided to allow the gift to stand rather than upset the young prince.
- Brunei — An Indonesian national attracted police attention after being found with 57 beers in his car. Alcohol is generally illegal in Brunei, although non-Muslim foreign visitors are permitted to possess up to 12 cans or two litres of beer. The man had approximately four times the permitted quantity.
- Belize — Scientists identified a relationship between damselfish and shrimp resembling domestication. Damselfish defend patches of algae that they harvest for food while allowing mysid shrimp to live nearby. The shrimp fertilise the algae, improving its nutritional value, while the fish protect the shrimp from predators. Researchers interpreted the mutually beneficial relationship as a form of domestication.
- The Bahamas — The government permitted exploratory offshore oil drilling despite environmental opposition. Bahamas Petroleum Company held leases for potential oil fields approximately 240 kilometres from Florida. Although the United States had banned offshore drilling in its own waters, the Bahamas proceeded with exploration. Environmental groups warned about the risk of an oil spill, while the government saw potential petroleum revenue as a way to offset the collapse of tourism during the pandemic.
- Iceland — Approximately 2% of the population cannot smell the characteristic odour of rotten fish. Researchers attributed the unusual ability to a mutation that disables the TAAR5 gene, which helps produce a protein responsible for detecting trimethylamine. Instead of smelling rotten fish, affected individuals may detect caramel, roses or potatoes. The same chemical is also associated with certain bodily odours.
- Vanuatu — The country introduced blockchain-based emergency payments to improve disaster relief. Having experienced two volcanic eruptions and two Category 5 cyclones within five years, the island nation needed faster ways to distribute assistance. Its new system used tap-and-pay cards loaded with emergency funds that residents could spend immediately, reducing the administrative delays associated with traditional relief programmes.
- Barbados — The country announced plans to remove Queen Elizabeth II as head of state and become a republic in 2021. The decision reflected growing concerns about colonial history and racial injustice, particularly following the worldwide racial-justice movements of 2020. Some observers believed Barbados's decision could encourage other Caribbean countries to reconsider their remaining constitutional relationships with the British monarchy.
- São Tomé and Príncipe — The World Bank committed $15 million to improve opportunities for young women. The funding would support safer learning environments in schools, addressing problems including teenage pregnancy and girls leaving education prematurely. Separately, the country's Olympic committee introduced surfing lessons for girls aged six to 18, hoping to create positive opportunities and potentially develop future Olympic athletes.
- Samoa — The state-owned Samoa Airways faced mounting financial difficulties. The airline reportedly lost $25 million in 2019 and owed creditors another $11 million. The collapse in passenger demand during 2020 made its position worse, despite executives presenting a more optimistic picture. Its negotiations to lease a Boeing 737-800 from the Netherlands could be jeopardised by its existing debt burden.
- Saint Lucia — The Caribbean island was named the world's leading honeymoon destination for the 12th time. It also secured the award for the third consecutive year. The World Travel Awards were announced virtually from Moscow, reflecting the continued disruption to international tourism.
- Kiribati — China agreed to fund sand dredging intended to raise the country's vulnerable islands above rising sea levels. Kiribati consists of 32 atolls and faces serious climate-change risks. The proposed work would concentrate on its most populated islands. Critics suspected the Chinese investment could also increase Beijing's strategic influence in the Pacific, particularly because of the islands' proximity to Hawaii. President Taneti Maamau denied that China would be allowed to build a military base on nearby Christmas Island.
- Federated States of Micronesia — Three stranded men were rescued after writing SOS in the sand on a deserted island. Their boat had run out of fuel, leaving them approximately 190 kilometres from their departure point. A search aircraft spotted their message three days after they set out. The rescue was particularly notable given Micronesia's geography: more than 600 islands spread across approximately 2,700 kilometres of ocean, forming the world's 14th-largest exclusive economic zone.
- Grenada and the United Kingdom — A stranded British woman gave birth prematurely while trapped in the Caribbean. She had been six months pregnant when pandemic travel restrictions prevented her from leaving Grenada. She eventually obtained a repatriation flight in June. Her experience formed part of a wider British effort that chartered tens of thousands of citizens home from at least 57 countries.
- Tonga — Scientists finally explained the origin of a mysterious 30-mile algal bloom observed in the Pacific in 2015. A report traced the bloom to iron- and phosphorus-rich runoff from Tonga. The nutrients took time to produce the visible effect because nitrogen-fixing organisms needed time to use them. This delayed process explained why the bloom appeared long after the original runoff.
- Ukraine and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines — The countries introduced visa-free travel between their citizens. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, a 54-country association consisting largely of former British territories. Ukraine expressed interest in securing similar arrangements with more influential Commonwealth members, particularly Australia, the United Kingdom and Canada.
- Seychelles — Wavel Ramkalawan became the country's first opposition president since independence from Britain. The election took place 44 years after independence and ended the uninterrupted political dominance of the United Seychelles party, which had held power since 1977. Ramkalawan defeated the incumbent, and the result was widely regarded as an important democratic milestone.
- Antigua and the United Kingdom — A 72-year-old British sailor set a record for the oldest person to cross the Atlantic Ocean alone. Graham Walters sailed from Great Britain to Antigua on his fifth Atlantic crossing. Strong winds pushed him approximately 10 kilometres off course near the end, requiring assistance from the coast guard. Officials nevertheless recognised the achievement as a world record.
- Andorra — The small European country joined the International Monetary Fund as its 190th member. The decision provided access to crisis financing and other IMF support. Tourism and trade, particularly skiing and hiking, contributed approximately 40% of its economy, leaving the country exposed to the pandemic's economic disruption.
- Dominica — The government announced plans for a new long-haul international airport. The project was intended to support tourism and the country's offshore financial sector by allowing more direct flights from the United States, United Kingdom and Western Europe. Visitors currently had to transfer through neighbouring islands. Officials expected much of the project to be financed by foreign investors seeking citizenship through passport investment programmes.
- Marshall Islands — Authorities discovered and destroyed a record quantity of cocaine inside a drifting boat. The vessel contained approximately 650 kilograms of the drug and was believed to have originated off the Mexican or Central American coast. Computer simulations suggested it could have drifted unattended for at least a year. Investigators had no direct evidence identifying its origin or crew. The entire shipment was quickly incinerated.
- Saint Kitts and Nevis — The country promoted one of the world's fastest citizenship-by-investment programmes. Wealthy investors could obtain citizenship in fewer than 60 days without physically visiting the country. The Financial Times recognised the programme as one of the world's best. A family of four could obtain citizenship for an investment of approximately $150,000.
- Monaco and the United Kingdom — Billionaire businessman Jim Ratcliffe planned to relocate from Britain to Monaco to reduce his tax bill. The petrochemicals magnate had an estimated fortune of $23.6 billion and could reportedly save up to $5.4 billion in taxes. Monaco residents spending at least 183 days annually in the principality do not pay income or property taxes, compared with potential UK income-tax rates of up to 45%.
- Liechtenstein — Voters rejected a proposed international railway connection over its $73.5 million cost. The country is approximately 25 kilometres long and currently has only one domestic railway track. The proposed project would have widened the line and upgraded a terminal to accommodate international trains. Voters rejected the expenditure in a referendum.
- San Marino and Italy — San Marino became an alternative nightlife destination during Italy's pandemic restrictions. While Italian bars and restaurants faced a 6 p.m. curfew, establishments in San Marino could remain open until 10 p.m. Italian residents travelled across the border to the independent country, which is approximately ten minutes from Rimini. Italian officials worried that the difference in restrictions would increase virus transmission.
- Palau and the United States — Palau invited America to establish a military base on its territory. The country already had a free-association agreement with the United States, providing substantial financial assistance and allowing Palauan citizens to live, work and travel in America. The agreement was due to expire in 2024. Palau, which has no military of its own, viewed a US base as a way to strengthen its security, while Washington could use the presence to counter China's growing influence in the Pacific.
- Tuvalu — Collectible commemorative coins became an important source of international revenue. The Perth Mint in Australia produces Tuvalu's currency, including its Tuvalu dollar and collector coins. A new coin featuring American actor John Wayne sold for more than $100. The collectible business generated approximately $200,000 annually in royalties for Tuvalu, even though the coins were technically legal tender.
- Nauru, Papua New Guinea and Australia — Australia's offshore refugee detention system cost approximately $1.2 billion in one financial year. Around 300 refugees were being held across facilities in Nauru and Papua New Guinea while their asylum claims were processed. The reported expenditure worked out to approximately $4 million per person. Critics questioned why Australia spent so much keeping refugees offshore rather than housing them domestically, particularly given reports of poor and sometimes dangerous camp conditions.
- Vatican City — The annual Nativity scene attracted unusual attention because of its unconventional ceramic figures and astronauts. The installation was donated by Castelli, an Italian town famous for ceramics. Its figures had been created over several decades and survived natural disasters and other difficulties. Reactions were mixed, but one observer saw the unusual display as an appropriate reflection of 2020, saying: "It's a Nativity scene that has had problems, like we've all had a lousy year. If it made it, we can."