Europe Russia Two maritime patrol aircraft have made a 30-hour Arctic flight, including a mid-air tanking that would account a the first-ever North Pole aerial refueling; for the unique mission, the crews reportedly entered the Book of Records of the Armed Forces
Africa Burundi Foreign Affairs Minister said Rwanda has continued to deploy troops notwithstanding the ceasefire agreement with DRC, thus fueling insecurity affecting also the area along the Burundi border
Europe Ukraine Deputy PM Taras Kachka visited Israel, the highest official since 2022; press reports he was satisfied with bilateral ties: with a change in Jerusalem’s stance on the war with Russia, Ukraine is looking to Israel as a model for navigating US pressure
Europe North Macedonia Activists have been participating in the annual, UN-backed 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign; this year there has been more urgency following four femicides in the small North Macedonia, largerly debated
America Dominica Over ninety local farmers have benefited from the distribution of irrigation equipment and beekeeping tools; Minister underlines that watering has become essential as rain patterns change, and beekeeping supports productivity and generates income
Africa Chad Five army generals appeared in court in a trial behind closed doors at the Klessoum prison in Ndjamena, where they are held since September, accused of attempted bribery and complicity in the case of former treasurer of Abeche, prosecuted for embezzlement
Africa Benin Press reports that on 7 December soldiers led by special forces commander Pascal Tigri declared it had ousted President Talon after storming the national broadcaster; the coup attempt was foiled by loyalists, Nigeria and French intelligence
America Belize Major gaps in services for children with disabilities have been revealed in a national analysis launched with UNICEF in Belize, highlighting the urgent need for inclusive policies despite progress under the 2024 Disability Act
Asia Qatar Art installation “241” has been inaugurated within the Msheireb Museums, commemorating 241 children who died in Gaza; an illuminated light box features a photograph of each one, while designs, videos, and curated materials show their aspirations
Asia Iran Iran analyst Omid Memarian, in Eye for Iran, presents the dramatic cultural opening sweeping across Iran as a bottom-up movement driven by a young generation that is less willing to be intimidated, not as a government reform
Europe Poland Sting will headline TVP’s flagship New Year’s Eve show in Katowice this year; the Polish public broadcaster said the 74-year-old former frontman of The Police will perform a live set at 7:50 p.m. at the Spodek Arena alongside notable Polish artists
Africa Nigeria Motorists on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway experienced severe traffic disruption after a truck driver allegedly blocked both lanes at the Ogere end, protesting what he described as extortion by officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps
Asia Singapore Nanyang Technological University building covering will be safe for birds, that have been crashing agains the glass walls for nearly two decades; student-led Project Avigate launched a fund-raiser online to fix the building, raising €40.000 in two months
Europe Netherlands Canadian company Cronos has acquired for €57,5 million Canadelaar, the largest legal cannabis producer in the Netherlands, supplying government’s regulated cannabis experiment; it is the first time a foreign investor has taken over a Dutch cannabis grower