Asia Syria Hundreds of Kurdish students in Hassakeh and Kobani refused to enter their classrooms as the 2026–27 school year began, protesting a decision that reduces Kurdish-language instruction to three periods per week, demanding the decision be reversed
Asia Bhutan As the Gross National Happiness Commission (GNHC) Secretariat is currently reviewing the five-year-plan system, a study has recommended that the government change the planning cycle from five years to three
Europe Germany Centuries-old Mayan artefacts found by German police hidden in the cellar of a farm in the state of Saxony-Anhalt last year have been returned to Mexico and Guatemala
Africa Republic of the Congo The president of Action of Christians for the Abolition of Torture in Congo (Acat-Congo) has sounded the alarm about abusive pre-trial detentions; in the country, there are more pre-trial detainees in prisons than people serving sentences after trial
America Mexico Today, after more than a year, the USA reopens its terrestrial border with the country
Asia Cyprus The duration of maternity leave for mothers with two children has been extended to 22 weeks from 18 weeks currently, and to 26 weeks for the third or subsequent child; the new law applies to all cases: child born to beneficiary, adoption or surrogacy
America Chile The Mapuche Indigenous community is violently claiming its territory back in the country’s southern region, leading to President Sebastian Piñera extending the state of emergency in that area
America Saint Lucia The country is preparing to host the General Assembly of the Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees and the event will be held for the first time in a hybrid format
America Brazil Economic turmoil overtakes as the nation’s inflation rate reaches double digits, with inflation predictor at the highest in 26 years
Asia Thailand A steel tycoon is setting up a new party as an alternative to the military-backed establishment and anti-government protesters, seeking to appeal to what he called a “silent majority” alienated by the festering political divide
Asia Lebanon Cancer patients, struggling to access even the most basic medicines and treatments amid soaring costs and practical difficulties, can get support from the Cancer Support Fund, established in 2018 at the American University of Beirut Medical Center
Africa Libya Registration opens today for candidates for presidential and parliamentary elections, scheduled for 24 December
Africa Comoros The Union des chambres de commerce, d’industrie et d’agriculture, in partnership with UNDP, is supporting more than 100 farmers with the idea of moving from rudimentary farming towards entrepreneurial agriculture
Africa Sierra Leone Government has guaranteed free access to medical treatment for all injured, while the parliament of ECOWAS Economic Community has commiserated with the country over the oil tanker explosion that has caused around 100 casualties, and pledged solidarity