Asia Bahrain 128 competitors, 59 male and 69 female, took part in this year's Mutun competition; the event awards the three best in seven categories, each focusing on the memorization and comprehension of foundation texts related to Quranic sciences
Europe Vatican City The Institution for Works of Religion IOR released its first Sustainability and ESG Report, aligning with the highest international reporting principles for financial institutions and moving to an economic model consistent with Catholic ethical principles
Asia Laos Planned its exit from Least Developed Country status, Laos set a timeline, starting work on a readiness assessment; The government aims to strengthen economic resilience and meet UN criteria, focusing on stability, human capital and sustainable growth
Africa Democratic Republic of the Congo Current cholera epidemic is the worst recorded in DRC in 25 years, with over 64.000 cases and nearly 1.900 deaths this year; children account for a quarter of infections, with 14.818 cases and 340 deaths to date according to local UNICEF representative
Asia Bhutan Bhutan’s National Assembly unanimously adopted the framework agreement to join the International Big Cat Alliance, committing the country to global cooperation on big-cat conservation, anti-poaching efforts, and habitat protection
Asia Malaysia Phase 2 of Malaysia's legal reforms has been launched, moving to separate the roles of Attorney General and Public Prosecutor; The change aims to strengthen judicial independence, prevent conflicts of interest, enhance public trust in the justice system
Oceania Solomon Islands The next generation of Solomon Islands leaders will benefit from 36 Australia Awards Scholarships for top universities across Australia in 2026; the cohort includes 2 PhDs, 28 Masters, and 6 undergraduate scholars
America Chile Undocumented migrants have dispersed across Chile’s Arica border after Peru has blocked their entry, following fears of expulsion that prompted attempts to flee through the desert frontier
Europe Romania Water supply has been restored in Prahova County's all 13 towns and communes that had been left without drinking water for over a week due to problems at the Paltinu Dam; however, water may only be used for hygiene purposes until tests are completed
Europe Slovenia Cyclist Tadej Pogačar won the men's Velo d'Or for the third time in his career after claiming a fourth Tour de France title this summer; he also received the Eddy Merckx award for the top classics rider winning three of the sport's five Monuments in 2025
Africa Tunisia Three prominent opposition figures and activists have been arrest in just over a week: Chaima Issa during a protest, Ayachi Hammami and Nejib Chebbi in a widening crackdown on opposition
Africa Togo Seed cotton season has been launched in northern Savanes, the Kara region will follow on 15 December and Plateaux region on 10 January; farmers sell their harvests with the New Cotton Company of Togo which will endure logistics for efficient collection
Asia Turkmenistan The existence of the Turkestan long-eared bat has been confirmed in Turkmenistan for the first time since 1970; the dedicated expedition led by the Museum of Natural History of Berlin, Germany, visited possible bat habitats in the Karakum Desert
Europe Portugal Local businessman reportedly diverted tens of millions of euros from ‘golden visa' investors, selling apartments that didn't exist and promising sky-high return; among those defrauded is a company owned by Howard Lutnik, US secretary of state for commerce