Oceania Marshall Islands The Marshallese Christmas is celebrated with Jepta, or 'group', dancing and signing competitions, Wojke - a handmade container filled with small gifts and Biit Dancing - an energetic, modern church dancing, often loud and with amplified music
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
Europe Germany Black and Muslim people are highly discriminated against on the real estate market in Germany; according to a new study, even having a foreign-sounding name can lead to fewer apartment viewings
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
America Honduras Honduras has requested Interpol to enforce a 2023 arrest warrant against ex-president Juan Orlando Hernández, despite his recent pardon by Trump, over alleged embezzlement and money laundering tied to a 2013 campaign funding scandal
America Guyana Guyana has announced plans to pursue legal reforms, including modern copyright laws, to protect its creative industry and attract investment, replacing outdated regulations from 1956
Oceania Palau First-of-its-kind Transition Facility has been opened at Belau National Hospital for discharged patients who can’t yet return home; it aims to ease hospital overcrowding while providing dignified, short-term recovering care in a home-like setting
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
Africa Malawi Malawi Broadcasting Corporation’s 2025 Entertainers of the Year Awards have been cancelled, citing limited time to plan and prepare the ceremony; stakeholders in the entertainment industry regretted the decision that will cancel the expected gains
Africa Djibouti A US medical research team visited Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti to find a better treatment for diarrhea to bolster troop combat readiness and reduce the amount of medicines that troops have to carry; the naval team is developing a single, low-dose treatment
Africa Eritrea Eritrea announced its withdrawal from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development IGAD, a regional body in the Horn of Africa focused on peace, security and economic integration, citing the fact that the body is acting against interests of some members
Africa Comoros Garbage collection in remote neighborhoods in Moroni has become increasing inefficient, leading to piling up of waste and prompting protests of residents forced to live in unhealthy surroundings
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
Europe Bulgaria PM Rosen Zhelyazkov has resigned after a vote of no confidence in parliament, following a series of mass street protests first against 2026 controversial budget, then scrapped, and lately against alleged corruption of minority centre-right government