Asia Taiwan The Museumbrary opened in Taichung, a 5.000-square-meter library-museum hybrid funded by a US$15 million municipal grant and private donations; targeting a 15% drop in youth readership, it expects 500.000 visitors in the first year with free admission
Asia Sri Lanka Colombo Public Library celebrated its centenary: the institution is praised for rendering a dynamic role in the educational, cultural and information fields; dating back to 1925, it started with only a Lending Library and a Reading Room
Asia Yemen Sotheby’s will present one of the rarest surviving Yemenite Torah scrolls in its upcoming Important Judaica sale; carbon-dated to the mid-15th century, it is regarded as a remarkable testament to the ancient Jewish community of Yemen
Asia China China’s top leadership convened in Beijing from 10 to 11 December for the Central Economic Work Conference to determine the country’s economic direction for 2026, the first year of the 15th Five-Year Plan
Asia Brunei 152 properties were purchased in the Brunei-Muara district according to newly released Residential Property Index data; Tutong follows with 21, marking a decided lead of Muara in the residential market
Asia Israel Israeli-founded startup Believer Meats, a biotechnology firm that creates chicken, lamb and beef products from animal cells, has ceased operations in Israel and the US for running out of funds; it faces a lawsuit over $34 million in unpaid bills
Asia India Lionel Messi's tour of India started from Salt Lake stadium in Kolkata: walked around the pitch waving to fans, he was surrounded by a large group of people and left within 20 minutes; in response, fans invaded the pitch throwing objects and equipment
Asia Pakistan Social media platforms that fail to cooperate with authorities may be banned; Minister of state for justice stated that X hasn't assisted on terrorism and disinformation requests and warning notices have been issued
Asia Philippines Anti-political dynasty House Bill 6771 has been filed by speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III and House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos; the measure would bar spouses, siblings and relatives of a public official from holding elective posts at the same time
Asia South Korea A sovereign fund and an export fund will be launched in 2026; finance ministry plans better management of state assets, new U.S.-focused investment tools under the recent tariff deal, and measures to foster AI industries and strengthen economic security
Asia Thailand Dissolution of parliament has been announced to “return power to the people”, calling for snap elections within 45–60 days, followingpolitical deadlock and rising tensions along the Cambodian border, where clashes have heightened regional concerns
Asia Vietnam On 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement, foreign diplomats in Hanoi urged stronger climate action; They highlighted progress and growing climate risks and called for renewed global commitment ahead of upcoming climate talks
Asia Georgia Tbilisi has inaugurated its Christmas season illuminating the city’s central Christmas tree in First Republic Square; the festive program included the opening of the Christmas Village, lighting in the capital, a performance featuring acrobatics and dance