America Panama A tanker paid a record $5,3 million for priority passage through the Panama Canal before the number of daily transits will be reduced due to the El Niño weather phenomenon; rainfall deficits and drought deplete water reserves needed to operate the canal
Oceania Nauru The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission will consider adopting a management procedure for skipjack tuna, but members of the Nauru Agreement Parties are hesitant to commit to it
Asia United Arab Emirates Growth in the size and quality of Dubai's private education sector has more than doubled since Knowledge and Human Development Authority was established in 2007; annual student enrolment figures showed a 12% growth over the previous academic year
Africa South Sudan South Sudan's humanitarian community has published its 2024 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan: $1,8 billion will be needed to support 6 million vulnerable people with the most acute needs
Asia Tajikistan An exhibition of thoroughbred cattle, as well as camels and ponies, was held in Khujand, capital of the northern province of Sughd
Europe Vatican City Pope Francis wrote the preface to the posthumous book by Metropolitan John Zizioulas of Pergamon, late Orthodox bishop and theologian of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, entitled 'Remembering the Future: Towards an Eschatological Ontology'
Asia Palestine Hamas leader Osama Hamdan said he would invite Elon Musk to visit Gaza to see "the extent of the massacres and crimes committed against our people", following the trip to Israel by the owner of X
Africa Seychelles The National Assembly commemorated the start of the Week of the Deaf in Seychelles, celebrated in Seychelles from Monday 27 November to Sunday 3 December, by coordinating the first signed session in parliamentary history
Africa Somalia The recent seasonal rains, heavier than usual, claimed nearly 100 lives, affecting 2,3 million people according to the Somali Disaster Management Agency
America Panama Protests over a controversial mining contract persist, having caused nationwide disruption for weeks; the contract, allowing open-pit copper mining for two decades, faces opposition due to environmental and health concerns
Asia North Korea A large North Korean ferry, accused of breaking sanctions during past trips to Japan, returned to the DPRK east coast port city of Wonsan after undergoing maintenance and upgrades for a month
Africa Rwanda The government has opened up the public transport market to privately owned buses as a measure to address the shortage of vehicles and long queues in Kigali; previously, only public transport companies or cooperatives were allowed to transport passengers
Asia Jordan Jordan's state spending is forecast at 12,4 billion dinars ($17,5 billion) in the 2024 draft budget; growth is expected to be around 2,6% in 2024, the same level forecast for this year, while total revenues would grow by 9%
Asia Sri Lanka Some 40 government hospitals across the country have been closed and other 100 hospitals are likely to close soon for various reasons, including the departure of doctors for foreign countries, retirements, transfers and resignations from their posts