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
Oceania Kiribati Tourism is now a frontline response to plastic pollution and climate pressure: a regional workshop in Tarawa highlights how small tourism businesses, circular economy principles and marine protection initiatives are reshaping travel benefiting Kiribati
Africa Libya The Libyan Dinar was exchanged on Christmas day at 6,3 for one Euro on the official bank exchange rate, and exchanged at 8,6 on the black market according to 'officially published' black market rates
Africa Sierra Leone The Dream Model United Nations Conference 2025 was hosted in Freetown, bringing together forward-thinking youth, actively engaged in diplomacy, leadership, global problem-solving and underlining the city's pioneer role for youths in Africa
Europe Latvia 85 cruise ships with 115.500 passengers have docked in the Port of Riga in the 2025 cruise season, +43% more than last year; the cruise segment in the Port of Riga is expected to grow with 98 cruise ships registered for 2026 and over 100 in 2027
Africa Guinea-Bissau The House of Rights denounces police raid and beatings after a peaceful vigil in Bissau and raises alarm about political prisoners being held in cells without water, electricity, or visitation, and calls on the international community
Oceania Samoa The Samoa Customs Office seized US$2.28 million worth of methamphetamine; the illegal drug was intercepted as it was brought in by two separate travelers from American Samoa
Africa Guinea Approximately 6,7 million voters in Guinea-Conakry have been called to the polls to elect the new president of the Republic, first in four years after the coup d'état of 2021, a decisive moment for the return to constitutional order in the country
America Ecuador Only two official border crossings have been kept open due to national security concerns, as Ecuador has faced rising cartel violence and now holds Latin America's highest homicide rate
Oceania Palau Inmate was set on fire at Koror Prison when he was alone in his cell, suffering non-life-threatening burns; authorities are probing how gasoline entered the premises
Europe Kosovo Voters in Kosovo go to the polls today 28 December for the second time in 2025, after ten months of stalemate in parliament – amid hopes that political parties are toning down the overt animosity
Africa Burkina Faso The construction of Burkina Faso's first expressway has been inaugurated by ruler Captain Ibrahim Traore; approximately 332 km long, it will connect the capital Ouagadougou with Bobo Dioulasso in the country's south-west, a push in modernization
Asia Brunei A community gotong-royong - an obligation of individual towards society - completed a clean-up initiative along the road to Kampong Kuala Balai, restoring road width and drainage systems by clearing overgrown vegetation
Asia Kyrgyzstan Rules for handling hazardous waste in Kyrgyzstan have been amended; the resolution of the Cabinet strengthens environmental safety in collection, storage, accounting and disposal of used batteries and petroleum waste aligning with Eurasian Economic Union