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 Lithuania Lithuanian emigrants increasingly choose to return from abroad and settle in the country's less populated regions; the State Employment Service has created an interactive map with 50 indicators on housing, employment, education and other issues
Europe Latvia The 77th long-awaited annual publication 'Latvian Statistical Yearbook, 2024' is now available free of charge in digital format in Latvian and English, published by the Central Statistical Office
Europe Malta An estimated 30.000 full- and part-time workers will work in hotels, restaurants and catering facilities throughout the holiday period
Europe Luxembourg Most of bottled waters sold in Luxembourg contain chemicals, a study by an environmental group has found, after previous research had also found pollutants in tap water
Africa Liberia Empowerment Squared, together with its local and international partners, officially launched the Liberia Learning Centre in Paynesville, a $2 million state-of-the-art facility
Oceania Samoa Samoa started celebrating Christmas 13 days before the day itself; in these 13 days, government ministries and other congregations are invited to sing Christmas carols in their own style which are aired on TV
Europe Slovakia The Regional Public Health Office reported an increase in the number of hepatitis A cases in the Bratislava region, with 24 cases reported in December
Oceania Tonga With a total budget of 19,6 million panga (7,5 million euros) over five years, the Tonga Australia Resilient Communities programme will fund community-led infrastructure projects, including cyclone shelters and water supply systems
Asia Taiwan A large uncrewed aerial vehicle testing facility in Chiayi County will be set to help establish Taiwan's drone supply chain with a greater share of the global market; about 50 companies are already based in the drone R&D center
Africa Tanzania 17 training centres in Kiswahili abroad were opened to promote the global use of the language; in addition, the government built 30 training centres in the country
America Saint Lucia The Ministry of Health, Wellness, and Elderly Affairs, through its Elderly Affairs Unit, is raising awareness about the impact of loneliness on seniors and encouraging the public to take proactive steps to support the emotional well-being of older persons
Africa Sao Tome and Principe The PM said he was concerned about the waterfront redevelopment work in the capital after identifying "many defects" that will require adjustments and additional funding that have not yet been secured
Oceania Tuvalu The long-term digitization project presented by PM Teo envisions moving government services and records to an online platform and preserving the cultural memory of Tuvalu "in a way that it can be treasured for years, regardless of the status of our land"