Asia Bahrain 394.000 visitors have been registered in state-run heritage sites in January-August 2026, with the Bahrain Fort accounting for 246.409, nearly two thirds of the total, and foreign visitors prevailed with the presence of 187.567 people
Asia Kuwait The justice minister is holding talks with relevant agencies to seek the best mechanism to address the disputed ban on renewing work permits for expatriates over 60 without a university degree
Oceania Marshall Islands The Marshallese version of the Olympic Games is the jepta biit Christmas dance, an event full of competition and insults, part of the jepta performances since time immemorial
Europe Iceland Fireworks in the country are sold and can be fired today; next time they will be on the market this year would be December 28–31
Europe Slovakia President Zuzana Caputova expressed just two wishes for the country for the year that has just begun: to build cohesion and cultivate humanity in order to overcome the health crisis as well as any future crisis
America Jamaica Preliminary numbers from the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) showed 1463 murders committed island-wide last year, 132 (almost 10%) more than in 2020
Europe Latvia The Latvian Botanist Society has chosen the globeflower (Trollius europaeus) as the flower of the year; according to popular belief, the flower has magical qualities, including the ability to ward off evil spirits
Africa Namibia Kamanjab district councillor appealed to parents to discourage their children from swimming in ponds on the Ourab riverbed; he also expressed concern about some residents digging holes in the riverbed for water
America Costa Rica Authorities allowed citizens to call the 9-1-1 emergency line for psychological support during the holiday season, as it can be a difficult time for many
Asia Uzbekistan Primary school pupils in Karakalpakstan and Khorezm provinces could receive free meals as this target is part of the draft roadmap of the 2022-2026 development strategy to be implemented in 2022
Africa South Sudan According to the NGO Light for the World, there are 1,2 million people living with a disability in the country, about a fifth of whom have impairments caused by violence; WFP is working to support them during a severe famine now sweeping
Asia Laos The slight decrease in the number of road accidents compared to previous years, including a reduced number of deaths, reflects the effects of the strict Covid-19 measures in place during 2021, according to the head of the traffic police department
Asia South Korea President Moon Jae-in has promised to use his final months in office to press for a diplomatic breakthrough with North Korea, despite Pyongyang's public silence on its attempts for a peace declaration between the two sides
Oceania Papua New Guinea Water shortages continue to affect communities in the Moresby South electorate, with residents in these communities raising numerous concerns with the relevant authorities