America Guatemala Indigenous communities in Guatemala are facing a high 18% illiteracy rate and have launched initiatives like floating schools—classrooms on boats reaching remote areas—but struggle as many children are pulled from school to work in agriculture
Africa Ethiopia Turkish President Erdoğan announced that Addis Ababa and Mogadishu had reached an agreement, mediated by Turkey, to end tensions over the issue of Ethiopia's access to the sea
America Cuba The Museum of the Cuban Revolution, once the residence of the President of the Republic, is now 65 years old, having been established on 12 December 1959 by a decree of the Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces
Africa Botswana Only 28 women stood for Parliament out of 258 contestants, or 10,85%, and only three women won their seats, 4,92% of the 61 seats; on the other hand, women represent 54% of those eligible to vote
Europe Bulgaria In the Justice and Home Affairs Council of the European Union the last vote took place for Bulgaria's full entry into the Schengen area; the vote established the abolition of land controls as of 1 January 2025
Europe Ukraine Energy infrastructure has been attacked with missiles and drones, with Russia saying it considers them military targets; millions of civilians, who are left without electricity or heating, are however consequently affected
Europe Austria The government has initiated an economic support programme for Syrian nationals in Austria who want to return to their country, which mainly consists in the delivery of 1000 euros in cash and practical advice and assistance
Asia Iran President Massoud Pezeshkian, who has a reformist orientation, is explicitly criticising a law that tightens controls and penalties for women who do not wear the veil properly, supported by parliament and the Guardian Council
Africa Mozambique At least 110 people have died in post-election demonstrations in Mozambique since 21 October, and the current phase of protests, which began on 4 December, has already claimed 34 lives, according to a report by the NGO Plataforma Eleitoral Decide
Oceania Nauru A new agreement signed provides for Nauru and Australia to jointly accept any commitments from other countries in Nauru's security, banking and telecommunications sectors
Europe Serbia A €720 million agreement has been signed with Chinese construction giant PowerChina to start the first phase of the Belgrade metro project, many times hampered by political indecision and financing difficulties
Africa Niger Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders call for the release of human rights activist Moussa Tchangari, arrested in Niamey and charged with promoting terrorism and attacking state security
Asia South Korea Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said he opposed President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law declaration on 3 December and regretted he could not keep Yoon's martial law imposition at bay, adding he feels regretful and remorseful
Europe Slovenia The country hosted the first European Honey Competition, attended by 114 competitors from eleven countries; first places in all but one category went to Slovenian beekeepers