Asia Japan Protesters rallied near the Niigata prefectural government building before voting took place in the prefectural assembly on a partial restart of the Kashiwazaki Kariwa nuclear power plant, the world's largest, closed after the 2011 Fukushima disaster
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
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
Oceania Samoa Veteran journalist and JAWS member Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia has raised concerns over the contents of a leaked 19-page draft of the government’s proposed media protocol, saying several measures could undermine press freedom in Samoa
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
America Saint Kitts and Nevis The island of Nevis is beginning to enjoy the benefits of a decision taken during COVID-19 pandemic: diversification through the creation of a film industry; “proud that we have created something from nothing in relation to film,” Premier Brantley said
Europe Sweden 54 children under 15 have been suspected of bombings in Jan-Nov 2025, tripled compared to 2024; according to the Swedish Prosecution Authority, in 2024, the figure was 21, in 2023 17 and before only one child per year, a worrying development
Asia United Arab Emirates A new ant has been discovered in Wadi Shees and registered under the scientific name Carebara Sharjahensis, or Sharjah Ant; efforts to monitor local wildlife and study endemic species are ongoing within the Hajar Mountains, ecologically reach UAE region