Europe Poland Surveillance tech produced by Polish companies is being exported to states with poor human rights records according to latest report by watchdog HRW on dual-purpose technologies; the ONG calls for EU to strengthen due diligence and transparency rules
Europe Portugal Local businessman reportedly diverted tens of millions of euros from ‘golden visa' investors, selling apartments that didn't exist and promising sky-high return; among those defrauded is a company owned by Howard Lutnik, US secretary of state for commerce
Asia Syria Syrians have taken to the streets to celebrate the first anniversary of the removal of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad amid renewed optimism that conditions will continue to improve as the country recovers from the effects of nearly 14 years of war
Asia Turkmenistan The existence of the Turkestan long-eared bat has been confirmed in Turkmenistan for the first time since 1970; the dedicated expedition led by the Museum of Natural History of Berlin, Germany, visited possible bat habitats in the Karakum Desert
Africa Tunisia Three prominent opposition figures and activists have been arrest in just over a week: Chaima Issa during a protest, Ayachi Hammami and Nejib Chebbi in a widening crackdown on opposition
Oceania New Zealand Jono Ridler, in partnership with Live Ocean, will attempt a word record for 'unassisted staged swim' swimming from North Cape to Wellington to raise awareness for healthy oceans and call for an end to bottom trawling as part of Swim4theOcean initiative
America Trinidad and Tobago The Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange has unveiled TOBI, a new AI-powered chatbot aimed at making stock market and depository information instantly accessible to investors, brokers, and the public
America Saint Vincent and the Grenadines A High Surf Advisory has been issued, with breaking waves forecast to pose a threat to life and property within the surf zone; dangerous rip-currents will create unsafe conditions for small-craft operators, particularly on northern and eastern coastlines
Africa Zimbabwe Tourists will have a smoother drive this festive season on the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls highway, as multiple contractors working at the same time on different sections of the road are guaranteeing significant improvements
Asia North Korea To expand crop variety and yield, North Korea’s top farming experts discussed boosting domestic harvests with leading Russian agricultural research hubs during a week-long visit to Russia, deepening food security links between the two countries
Europe Slovenia Cyclist Tadej Pogačar won the men's Velo d'Or for the third time in his career after claiming a fourth Tour de France title this summer; he also received the Eddy Merckx award for the top classics rider winning three of the sport's five Monuments in 2025
Africa Togo Seed cotton season has been launched in northern Savanes, the Kara region will follow on 15 December and Plateaux region on 10 January; farmers sell their harvests with the New Cotton Company of Togo which will endure logistics for efficient collection
Africa Burkina Faso Military-led government has taken a step toward reinstating the death penalty, adopting a new penal code that once again allows capital punishment for crimes including treason, terrorism and espionage
Europe Bosnia and Herzegovina Hague Court rejected early release plea of former Bosnian Serb commander Dragomir Milosevic as he lacked proven compelling humanitarian reasons; he had been sentenced to 29 years in jail for terrorising civilians during the siege of Sarajevo