Europe Serbia Chinese and Russian companies have contributed in drafting Serbia’s mining regulations, now adopted by Parliament, raising concerns among non-governmental organizations, citizens and experts that say the practice could hide concessions
Asia Nepal 366 gharials in rivers Rapti and Narayani have been recorded with a new survey, confirming a steady recovery of the endangered crocodile; a freshwater dolphin was also sighted, signaling improving river health and success of conservation efforts in Nepal
Europe Belgium The number of families waiting for social housing in Brussels Region has risen from 50.000 to over 59.000 in one year; waiting time for securing social housing in the capital ranges from nine to thirteen years, depending on the type of housing requested
Asia Armenia Yerevan will begin construction of an animal shelter for stray dogs this year; following international best practices, the shelter will accommodate 300 dogs, featuring cages and open-air areas so that the animals can feel safe and secure
Oceania Palau Scholarship awards from the Palau National Scholarship Board are set to increase by 26% in 2026 after Congress approved a major budget boost, bringing more financial relief for tuition, books and living expenses
Africa Tanzania Serengeti is preparing to set a record by receiving over 600.000 tourists before June 2026, as latest figure from Park Management confirm 491.000 arrivals within mid-December; calving season will begin in February, with 500k newborn gnus expected
Europe Luxembourg Despite concern pervading the business community in 2025, for reasons that include tariffs, increasing inflation, rising unemployment, higher pension contributions, warnings about profitability, sentiment for 2026 is resilient and even positive
Asia Uzbekistan Visa rules approved in late 2025 are applied in 2026: business visa process simplified for 15 countries, visa-free stay for up to 30 days introduced for Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and stay period extended for China except Hong Kong
America Dominica Dominica State College is preparing to welcome 150 incoming students as it prepares for the January 2026 academic term; to facilitate integration into college life, the institution has scheduled a New Student Orientation on 12-14 January
Africa Ghana Nearly 3 million Ghanaians have used cryptocurrency as of end of 2025, prompting authorities to introduce phased licensing rules starting in 2026; a framework for safe cryptocurrency trading and Bitcoin adoption, formally legalised, will be set
Asia Brunei Within its pro-business initiative, the Brunei's Government has decided that fuel stations will be inspected twice a year starting 2026; the measure takes into consideration the industry's 6-years compliance and the rules of other ASEAN countries
Europe France New fares for public transport in Paris are taking effect today, impacting one of the most extensive and reliable networks; the average +2,3% hike includes Metro-Train-RER tickets, Bus-Tram tickets, airport tickets, the Navigo Week and Month passes
America Peru 157 beaches were declared "unhealthy" nationwide on the threshold of summer 2026; the General Directorate of Environmental Health warned that several touristic coastal stretch in Peru are unsuitable for recreation and pose a risk to public health
Asia India A contract worth over 440 million euros has been signed to purchase 425.000 close-quarter battle carbines and 48 heavyweight torpedos for submarines; they will be mostly manufactured in India in agreement with international companies