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
Africa South Africa Authorities must do more to tackle “xenophobic” protests that have been blocking access to hospitals to undocumented foreigners; members of group Operation Dudula have for months refused access to non-South Africans at clinics in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal
Europe Kosovo Kosovo as an independent and sovereign state has been officially recognized by Syria, the 120th country to do so; announcement was made in Riyadh during President Vjosa Osmani’s visit, one of the most significant moments in Kosovo’s diplomatic history
Asia Bangladesh Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter has urged stakeholders to halt the clearing of mangrove forests to make way for shrimp farms, warning that the destruction of these vital ecosystems would undermine coastal protection
Africa Seychelles On International Day of People with Disabilities, Ministry of Youth, Sports and Family hosted a spa experience for citizens living with disabilities in Victoria under 2025 theme ‘Fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress’
Africa Benin During the ongoing first edition of the Cotonou Comedy Festival, Roukiata Ouédraogo - actress, novelist, and columnist - led a 2-day masterclass with a roundtable bringing together women artists, stakeholders and enthusiasts of public speaking
Asia Azerbaijan A joint action plan on emergency situations has been signed with Uzbekistan along the 26th International Conference of Heads of Firefighting and Rescue Services of the member countries of the International Sports Federation of Firefighters and Rescuers
Africa Namibia Creative Industries Strategy 2025-2030 presentation and international consultations will be launched; the strategy shapes establish a framework to redefine Namibia’s cultural environment, with a greater focus on creating wealth through the creative sector
Europe Belgium A street dealer in Antwerp attempted to sell drugs to undercover police officers this weekend, according to local police; the man was arrested twice in two days for the offence, has been apprehended around 30 times this year and is irregular in Belgium
Africa Angola Angolan children living on the streets in Namibia will be repatriated by the end of 2025; concerns have been raised over the long distances young children are travelling unaccompanied, particularly along the 760-kilometre Oshikango–Windhoek road
Asia Saudi Arabia The Farasan Islands Reserve joined Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar), making it the first Saudi marine reserve to be officially registered under the Convention, a milestone in the Kingdom’s efforts to protect ecosystems
America Barbados Former Mr Universe, professional wrestler and actor Earl Maynard, as he turns 90, reflects on the journey that took him from Barbados to the UK and Hollywood and how his roots continued to guide him back to his motherland
Europe Luxembourg Doctors’ and dentists’ association, pursuing its goal of higher remuneration for doctors has caused conflict with the government and hospitals, as the organization, newly named Médecins du sector hospitalier, says the billing system lacks transparency
Europe Malta A constitutional amendment to formally recognise Valletta as Malta's capital and introduce a new National Anthem Day on 27 December is being discussed in Parliament; the proposal prompted reflection on national identity and Valletta as a living city