Asia Sri Lanka An “Ehi Passiko” peace walk began in Dambulla, bringing together Buddhist monks and participants to promote peace and mindfulness; “Ehi Passiko,” meaning “come and see,” reflects a core Buddhist principle encouraging understanding through experience
America Bolivia A soybean processing plant will be inaugurated in San Julián, Santa Cruz, with an investment of over US$60 million, covering 26% of the national demand for crude oil and 34% for refined oil, starting production in February 2025
America Belize For the 7th consecutive year, the Fortis Belize Holiday Hamper Drive delivered food, household items, and toys to hundreds of families in need in San Ignacio and Santa Elena, showing community support during the Christmas season
America Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Richland Park, won the 2024 National Christmas Lighting competition as Best Lit Community, while the perennial winner, Point Village on North Windward, finished second this year
Africa Sudan Famine in Sudan has expanded to five areas and will likely spread to another five by May, the global hunger monitor reported, while warring parties continue to disrupt humanitarian aid needed to alleviate one of the worst starvation crises in modern times
Europe United Kingdom In his annual Christmas speech, King Charles addressed a personal message of gratitude to the health workers who supported him during his cancer treatment; he called for unity, saying that ethnic and faith diversity is a sign of "strength, not weakness"
America Brazil Christ the Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro's iconic statue, is at the center of a debate as a bill proposes transferring its management from federal oversight to the Catholic Church, raising concerns over governance while aiming to improve its revenues
America United States President Biden signed a law making the white-headed sea eagle the official symbol of the United States, after it had been the country's symbol for more than two centuries, although not formalised
Africa Mozambique Over 1.500 inmates have escaped from a Maputo prison after breaking through a wall, taking advantage of anti-government protests that have been going on for two months and have spread further since Frelimo's victory was confirmed
Europe Andorra The new Strategic Plan for National Museums and Monuments 2024-2030, recently presented, outlines the future of Andorran heritage and reaffirms commitment to the culture of Andorra, adapting to the needs and challenges of the present and future
Africa Namibia At least 16 malaria-endemic districts have surpassed the epidemic threshold and are experiencing outbreaks, with over 2000 cases reported in the weeks of December in the northern regions; cases are bound to surge until April 2025 due to the rainy season
Africa Benin The country intends to sell up to 40% of its stake in Banque Internationale pour l'Industrie et le Commerce through an initial public offering to finance various development projects, aiming to raise $192,3 million offering up to 23,1 million shares
Oceania Australia Two sailors have died in separate incidents on the first night of the 79th Sydney to Hobart sailing regatta, after they were both hit by sail booms; they mark the first deaths in the famed race since six men lost their lives in the 1998 event
Asia Armenia The Armenian sugar market saw import volumes falling by more than half in the first half of 2024, and the supply structure shifting drastically in favour of Russian products