Asia Israel Tel Aviv Stock Exchange’s benchmark TA-125 index gained 1,7% as shares rose to new record highs at the end of trading day yesterday following an Israeli airstrike that targeted top Hamas leaders in Doha, Qatar; index has marked over +32% so far this year
Africa Ethiopia The production capacity of Ethiopia's manufacturing industries has risen to 60%; a new policy has been implemented in recent years to exploit the sector's potential and capitalise on emerging opportunities
Asia Lebanon Three students from the American University of Beirut launched a donation campaign, called 'Hope for Our Lebanon', to support displaced Lebanese families by distributing food, sanitary boxes and clothes
Asia East Timor Independent study on the development of the Greater Sunrise gas project, conducted by company Wood earlier this year confirms that developing it in East Timor waters is feasible and would be provide significant economic and social benefits
Africa Eritrea President Isaias Afwerki and President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia held extensive talks in Asmara focusing on the consolidation of bilateral ties; the two leaders underlined the importance of Somalia's stability for the entire Horn of Africa
Asia Vietnam Phạm Duy Khanh, a 39-year-old entrepreneur in Cà Mau, manages 60 hectares of melaleuca forest to attract wild bees, blending conservation with eco-tourism and sustainable travel, offering activities like honey harvesting and fishing
Africa Guinea-Bissau The Ghanaian ECOWAS contingent offered a solidarity lunch to the children and staff of the 'Lar de Vida - Betel' orphanage in the Quelele district on the outskirts of the Guinean capital Bissau
America Colombia Colombia set a record in 2024 with 6,2 million international visitors, surpassing projections and highlighting its appeal as a top Latin American destination, driven by its culture, natural beauty and also sustainable tourism efforts
America Panama US President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to reclaim control of the Panama Canal, criticizing Panama’s toll fees as excessive and warning against alleged Chinese influence, despite China's lack of administrative control over the canal
America Belize For the 7th consecutive year, the Fortis Belize Holiday Hamper Drive delivered food, household items, and toys to hundreds of families in need in San Ignacio and Santa Elena, showing community support during the Christmas season
America Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Richland Park, won the 2024 National Christmas Lighting competition as Best Lit Community, while the perennial winner, Point Village on North Windward, finished second this year
Africa Sudan Famine in Sudan has expanded to five areas and will likely spread to another five by May, the global hunger monitor reported, while warring parties continue to disrupt humanitarian aid needed to alleviate one of the worst starvation crises in modern times
America Bolivia A soybean processing plant will be inaugurated in San Julián, Santa Cruz, with an investment of over US$60 million, covering 26% of the national demand for crude oil and 34% for refined oil, starting production in February 2025
Africa Namibia At least 16 malaria-endemic districts have surpassed the epidemic threshold and are experiencing outbreaks, with over 2000 cases reported in the weeks of December in the northern regions; cases are bound to surge until April 2025 due to the rainy season