Africa Cameroon In an unprecedented disruption to academic calendar, the Ministry ordered the immediate rescheduling of all remaining papers for the ongoing 2026 examination session after a severe security breach compromised confidential materials across digital networks
Europe Finland In an important environmental action, more than 1.500 Finnish artists joined in a petition calling for greater protection of forests
Oceania New Zealand Efforts to restore New Zealand's endangered flightless parrot, the kākāpō, include relocating the species to predator-free reserves
Europe Ireland A closure order has been issued for Pizza Max in Oldcastle after food inspectors found evidence of people living and sleeping in its food preparation area, uncovering mattresses, bedding, medicines, clothes and personal food
Asia Singapore Departure of first Singapore-born panda cub to China to participate in conservation programme has been postponed to January 2024; last public appearance at Pavilion Capital Giant Panda Forest in the River Wonders park is scheduled for today 13 December
America Dominican Republic The 'Health Path, Change Your Lifestyle' initiative, which has completed 30 interventions across the country, has impacted over 1,4 million households, said Health Minister
America Haiti A video released on social media shows water has started to flow in the canal that Haitians are building between Haiti and the Dominican Republic, causing excitement mixed with concern, as the canal has not yet been completed
Europe Czech Republic According to data published by the Czech Statistical Office, in the first three quarters of this year the Czech population increased by 54.700 to 10,88 million; the reason behind the increase being foreign immigration, mainly from Ukraine
America Bolivia The Cholitas climbers, indigenous Aymara women from Bolivia known for their remarkable physical endurance and distinctive traditional attire, are currently training to climb Mount Everest
Europe Iceland Damage to homes and infrastructure in Grindavík could amount to 10 billion Icelandic kroner ($71,4 million), according to Iceland's director of natural catastrophe insurance
Asia Myanmar Opium cultivation in the Golden Triangle has expanded significantly over the past year, with Myanmar experiencing the largest increase due to ongoing civil unrest
Africa Lesotho His Majesty King Letsie III, Chancellor of the National University of Lesotho, opened the Archbishop Thabo Makgoba Development Trust values-based leadership conference in Rome, Italy
Asia North Korea A delegation of Russian Far East officials has arrived in Pyongyang, according to North Korean state media, on a visit that is expected to include bilateral talks on topics ranging from revitalising tourism to joint construction projects
Africa South Sudan South Sudan withdrew all its peacekeeping forces sent to the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo; they had been sent as part of the East African Community Regional Force