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
America Panama 25 years of national management of the Panama Canal - a symbol of sovereignty and pride for Panamanians - was celebrated with a campaign honoring its history, achievements, sustainability commitment; it was transferred from US control on 31 December 1999
Africa Burkina Faso Military ruler Capt Ibrahim Traoré has sacked Prime Minister Apollinaire Joachim Kyelem de Tambela and dissolved the entire government; the dismissal of the cabinet was announced in a decree signed by the junta leader on 6 December
Europe Ukraine 43.000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed since the Russian invasion began according to Zelensky, a number lower than that calculated by independent estimates
Europe Slovenia After almost two years of renovation work, the Vodnik House, the cultural hub of Ljubljana's Šiška district, has been reopened to the public; new features include a co-working space dedicated to writing and illustration and another space for events
Europe San Marino Oncology oblivion is now a right, after the bill presented by the San Marino Oncology Association was approved by acclamation of the Council Chamber
Europe Slovakia ZSSK, the state-owned railway operator, in cooperation with its catering partner Wagon Slovakia Košice, introduced a new seasonal menu in the dining cars, featuring traditional Slovakian Christmas dishes
America Nicaragua With the new Sandinista Constitution, Ortega's Nicaragua aims to strengthen its grip on power, distancing itself from the Catholic Church and cutting ties with the Pope, continuing the persecution of believers and ecclesiastical institutions
Europe Vatican City Pope Francis issued an appeal to state leaders and to the international community to ensure a ceasefire 'on all war fronts' may be reached before Christmas
Africa Zimbabwe The country returned to first place in the Miss Intercontinental Africa pageant, thanks to Amanda Peresu-Moyo, after nine years since winning the title last time in December 2015 with Tendai Hunda
Asia Syria An offensive by Syrian armed groups that started in Idlib province in the north of the country prompted other groups and individual civilians to rebel against Bashar al Assad's dictatorship, toppling it in just 11 days
America Dominica The Dominica Geothermal Development Company Limited invited residents of Fond Colé and surrounding areas to a community meeting to receive an update on the construction of the geothermal power plant and the new electricity transmission grid
Africa Botswana The national table tennis team for the 2024 AUSC Region 5 Games, to be held in Namibia next year, has been unveiled; athletes emerged from national selection tournament organised by the Botswana Table Tennis Association
Africa Equatorial Guinea A recently presented new tax law proposes relief for taxpayers, providing for a tax reduction of personal income tax from 35% to 25%