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
Europe Croatia Controversial Croatian singer Marko Perkovic Thompson will hold one concert in Zagreb on December 27; the city's leftist Mayor hasn't permitted a second show as the right-wing singer whose songs glorify Croatian nationalism
Europe Italy After a week-long relay in Greece, the Olympic flame will be handed over to Italian Games organizers in Athens on 4 December; it will start a domestic journey of 63-days and 12.000 km across 110 provinces, with 10.001 torchbearers, from Rome on 6 December
Asia Myanmar Thailand’s foreign minister sayd Myanmar’s planned election cannot be credible under junta rule, citing repression, no inclusive participation, and ongoing conflict. He urges ASEAN and global partners to push for political dialogue and humanitarian access
America Costa Rica An alliance in Costa Rica has promoted women's training in high-demand STEM fields through the Red MenTe program, which has already benefited 30 women with intensive education in cybersecurity, infrastructure, and AI-driven data analysis
America Uruguay Molecular DNA markers, AI image recognition systems like ZoomAgri and systematic field sampling have been implemented to protect plant breeders' rights in seed industry, enhancing transparency and ensuring farmers' access to top-tier technologies
America Canada The province of Alberta has signed a new energy deal that will position Canada as a global energy superpower while working toward net-zero emissions; the agreement involves a new bitumen pipeline to the West Coast with Indigenous co-ownership
Asia Malaysia Sabah, a resource-rich Malaysian state on northern Borneo, is heading to elections; Its strategic location, diverse population and vital natural assets make it crucial for national stability, drawing the country's attention
Europe Monaco Netflix will release Murder in Monaco on 17 December, a documentary on one of the most high-profile criminal cases in the Principality’s history: the death of billionaire banker Edmond Safra on 3 December 1999 in his apartment's fire
Europe Bulgaria 2026 state budget doubles the dividend tax on private businesses to fund a rise in public-sector wages despite criticisms by the opposition, professional associations and business analysts, widely seen as a way to satisfy loyal voters in the public sector
Asia Pakistan Pakistan would be ready to join an international peace force for Gaza but will not support any plan requiring Hamas to disarm
Asia Vietnam Teachers in Ninh Binh are adopting AI tools, smart boards and digital platforms to redesign lessons, track student progress and tailor learning to individual needs; active participation is encouraged and students more prepared for a tech-driven future
Asia South Korea Art Odyssey, promoted by art institutions and cultural authorities, aims to coordinate global promotion of Korean art by linking museums, curators and research programs; It supports joint exhibitions, exchanges and strategies for artistic presence abroad
Asia Israel A software error in a widely used genetic screening test led to incorrect results for a rare mutation linked to a serious neurological disease in fetuses; the flaw affected analysis of the MECR gene, which is tested in both parents to assess fetal risk.