Africa Somalia Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia, has been suddenly recognized by Israel as an independent ssovereign state; PM Netanyahu said a joint and mutual declaration was signed with President of the Republic of Somaliland following 2020 Abraham Accords
America Grenada Food and Nutrition Council has warned parents to rise alert during festivities as many Christmas must-haves in Grenadian households contain alcohol, like black cake and sorrel; GFNC cautions that consumption at child age can increase risk of dependency
Europe Austria A roundtable on humanitarian consequences of nuclear testing was held in Vienna; community leaders, researchers and practitioners discussed what steps can secure justice for affected communities in line with Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons
America Antigua and Barbuda Annual Christmas Barrel Initiative has begun and will run to 15 January 2026: households can import personal-use essentials at reduced cost during the peak shipping period; the concession applies to clothing, food items and toiletries, not electronics
Europe Greece The School of Electrical and Computer Engineering at National Technical University of Athens will use AI to identify students at risk of exceeding graduation timelines; analyzing 30 years of data it will intercept anomalies and alert academic advisors
Asia Kyrgyzstan 36,90% turnout was registered in snap elections in 30 districts nationwide, each electing three members to the Jogorku Kenesh, at least one woman, for a total of 90 deputies entering parliament; 26.066 citizens voted at polling stations abroad
Asia Japan Portable power banks catching fire in Japan have more than doubled between 2020 and 2024; public and private sectors have begun strengthening safety measures and efforts to raise public awareness amid a series of incidents in public spaces this year
Asia Mongolia Despite long-standing bans on smoking and sales near schools, smoking rates remain high: excise taxes will be raised through 2030 to curb youth use and fund school health programs, rules on e-cigarettes expanded as Mongolia tightens Tobacco Control Law
America Guatemala A volunteer-led initiative in Guatemala has protected hundreds of children from hazardous firework labor by offering schooling, food, and community support through the “Sulla Strada” project, launched to combat extreme poverty and child exploitation
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
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
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
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