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
Europe Austria The Austrian Cultural Forum in Beijing and the Austrian Embassy in China recently opened an art exhibition in Beijing entitled Vienna Calling
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
Africa Benin The country intends to sell up to 40% of its stake in Banque Internationale pour l'Industrie et le Commerce through an initial public offering to finance various development projects, aiming to raise $192,3 million offering up to 23,1 million shares
Asia Brunei Brunei's gross domestic product grew by 6% year-on-year in Q3 2024, driven by a 12,9% expansion in the oil and gas sector, while the non-O&G sector grew by 0,3%
Africa Central African Republic The results of observations carried out in November 2024 show a significant drop in messages of hate, violence and disinformation in the mainstream media and were welcomed by the High Council for Communication in the Central African Republic
America Suriname Desi Bouterse, Suriname's former dictator and twice-elected leader, known for his 1980 coup, polarizing legacy, convictions for murder and drug trafficking, died at 79, leaving a lasting but contentious impact on the nation’s history
Europe United Kingdom In his annual Christmas speech, King Charles addressed a personal message of gratitude to the health workers who supported him during his cancer treatment; he called for unity, saying that ethnic and faith diversity is a sign of "strength, not weakness"
Europe Bosnia and Herzegovina Due to the heavy snowfall over the past few days, around 200.000 homes were left without electricity, motorways have been closed and rail services disrupted; snowfall also made made difficult the operation of domestic heating and drinking water systems
America Argentina Plans to make the country a leader in nuclear energy, starting with a small modular reactor at Atucha, and using domestic technology with US investments, have been announced bu President Javier Milei
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
Asia Armenia The Armenian sugar market saw import volumes falling by more than half in the first half of 2024, and the supply structure shifting drastically in favour of Russian products
America United States President Biden signed a law making the white-headed sea eagle the official symbol of the United States, after it had been the country's symbol for more than two centuries, although not formalised
Africa Mozambique Over 1.500 inmates have escaped from a Maputo prison after breaking through a wall, taking advantage of anti-government protests that have been going on for two months and have spread further since Frelimo's victory was confirmed