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 Poland Psychologists urged holiday digital detox to protect mental health: putting smartphones aside for two or three days during the holidays brings measurable mental and physical benefits, lower stress and better sleep
Africa Seychelles Seychelles has been officially voted the Indian Ocean’s Best Cruise Destination for the fifth consecutive year at the World Cruise Awards Gala Ceremony 2025 held in Bahrain earlier this month
Asia Saudi Arabia Schools in Eastern Province and Hafr Al-Batin governorate have switched to distance learning via the Madrasati platform yesterday, following reports from the National Center for Meteorology of rainfall in the region and snowfall in Tabuk area
Africa Botswana Botswana-born visual artist Totang Motoloki unveiled mixed–media works that redefine 'Home' using recycled street tins and traditional Tswana techniques; the solo exhibition at Lannieus Sanitas gallery in Gaborone is part of contemporary Art Botswana 2025
Europe Bosnia and Herzegovina Croatia’s parliament opened way to building a disposal facility for radioactive waste from the Krsko Nuclear Power Plant in Slovenia and from domestic hospitals and industry in Cerkezovac, only 3km away from the border with BiH and the Una National Park
Europe Slovakia GymBeam, Slovakia’s biggest fitness brand, built a regional e-commerce empire from Košice; now, after attracting investors for €110 million, is moving its headquarters to Austria
Oceania Tonga Laulea Beach in Fatumu, known for its strong currents, has been strictly closed to the public until after the New Year's holiday; Police Deputy Commissioner, said the measure aims to prevent drownings, following the death of a 40-year-old male last month
Europe Norway Less Norwegian children and youth suffer bullying at school, a new survey shows; of 440.000 school students from grade 5 through high school interviewed, a significant percentage is motivated, enjoy school and get support from their teachers
Asia Uzbekistan Strategy and Action Plan 2026-2030 will ensure practical and systematic implementation of Law “On the Protection of Children from All Forms of Violence”; Uzbekistan then joined the Bogotá Commitment to zero tolerance for violence against children
America Saint Lucia To strengthen national capacity in rapid HIV and syphilis testing and improving the quality of laboratory services across Saint Lucia, a Master Trainers Training Programme was held as part of the OECS Global Fund HIV/TB Project
Oceania Nauru 80 Nauruan students in Fiji participated in the 38th quarterly meeting of the Intergenerational Trust Fund held in Suva, Fiji; the NTF was established in 2015 to contribute to the long-term budgetary self-reliance of the Republic of Nauru until 2035
Oceania Fiji Skilled health workers from Fiji and other Pacific Island countries are now included in Pacific Australia Labor Mobility scheme: drawn to Australia to fill shortages in care sector for a much higher salary, they create a critical need of labor back home
America Haiti Newly published electoral decree has drawn strong reactions at home and abroad: internationally welcomed as a necessary step to restart democratic processed after four years without elections, locally criticized as the adoption process looks idealistic