Asia China 10 United States-based companies have been added to China's export control list, government procurement barred from 50 US companies two weeks after the Pentagon blacklisted some of China’s best-known companies for alleged ties to the Chinese military
Europe Lithuania A man in Vilnius is imparting a life lesson to his children choosing the 'ugliest' Christmas tree from the market on Žirmūnų Street, wanting his sons to see that it is not always necessary to pick the shiniest or seemingly perfect option
Asia Azerbaijan 2nd Forum of Azerbaijani Religious Figures held in Baku was attended by over 100 leaders from various faiths, promoting constitutional values as secularism and freedom of conscience and discussing legal and cultural aspects of state-religion relations
Africa Madagascar Jirama, the state-owned national utility company, is strengthening health protection measures, as supply of drinking water in Antananarivo remains subject to multiple pressures, including climatic hazards, network fragility and uncontrolled urbanization
Africa Nigeria Christmas is one of the busiest travel periods in Nigeria: millions journey across the country to reunite with family and loved ones; this year, many met the same challenges: overcrowded stations, limited transport options, inflated fares, endless delays
Europe Russia In Tiksi, Yakutia, the thermometer dropped to -56°C, the lowest temperature currently recorded in a populated area, and it could drop further as a snowstorm has paralyzed the village for three days burying streets and house entrances
Europe Luxembourg Grand Duke Guillaume urges solidarity in his first Christmas address, paying tribute to Ukrainians, volunteers and frontline workers, calling for compassion amid rising living costs and global instability
Asia United Arab Emirates As Christmas approaches offices across the UAE enter the year-end slowdown, although Christmas Day is not listed among the official public holidays issued under the Cabinet resolution regulating holidays which came into force on 1 January 2025
America Belize A $500.000 fast-track residency program for foreign investors has been approved to attract capital and simplify bureaucracy, while maintaining its retirement visa scheme for older individuals with foreign income
America Mexico Mexico City is vibrant with Poinsettia flowers, also known as 'Flor de Nochebuena'; native to the region, these flowers symbolize the spirit of the holidays and play an important role in festive decorations across the city
America Chile National Space Center has been inaugurated to boost space technology research, satellite operations, and regional cooperation, marking a major step toward scientific autonomy and innovation since construction began in 2024
America Bolivia Bolivia has authorized Starlink, OneWeb, and Kuiper to operate after years of restrictions, aiming to improve digital access and replace its outdated Chinese satellite amid efforts to attract tech investment and recover from an economic crisis
Asia Palestine Members of the clergy participated in the Christmas procession outside the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, West Bank, and people paraded through the streets of the city at the rhythm of drums to begin the first festive Christmas after two years
Asia Yemen The International Committee of the Red Cross has welcomed the preliminary agreement reached between Yemen’s warring parties to release detainees held in connection with the conflict, while announcing its readiness to support and facilitate the process