Oceania Palau A historic $15 million financing agreement has been signed with Saudi Arabia, marking a shift in how Palua's National Development Bank will now operate, as the loan will be directly invested into building affordable housing
Europe Serbia MAN Truck&Bus stopped taking tyres from Chinese Linglong’s Serbian plant after reports alleging the exploitation and possible trafficking of Vietnamese and Indian workers; the company’s ultimate owner, Volkswagen, said it's trying to “clarify the facts”
Asia Azerbaijan The Vatican Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations concluded his official visit to Azerbaijan -13 to 16 December- where his blessed the site and lay the foundation stone of a church dedicated to Saint John Paul II in Baku
Europe North Macedonia The government has approved a second loan of €500 million from Hungary, which will be used to repay a Eurobond issued by the previous government in 2018, due to mature on 25 January 2025
Oceania Micronesia The Yap Biosecurity Facility was officially handed over to the Yap State Government yesterday; the facility serves as a critical infrastructure in strengthening the FSM biosecurity efforts, managing invasive species and safeguarding local ecosystems
Asia Bhutan Bhutan won two prestigious tourism awards in 2024: International Wellness Destination for Travel+Leisure India and Runner-Up for Favourite Overseas Destination by Condé Nast Traveller, highlighting its appeal for wellness, culture and sustainable travel
Oceania Palau A spawning monitoring dive will be conducted the Koror State Government Department of Conservation Law and Enforcement through the Palau Pledge Dive Club as part of Koror State's Resilient Reef Initiative Sustainable Fisheries Project
Asia Vietnam Da Nang’s People’s Committee plans to reclaim 300 hectares of sea to create Vietnam’s first integrated free trade zone; the project, a booster for economic development, is expected to contribute up to 25% of the city’s economic output by 2050
Asia Palestine Palestinians have sued the State Department over US assistance to the Israeli military, accusing the Biden administration of violating US law prohibiting aid to military units involved in rights abuses
Oceania Marshall Islands Majuro recorded its second busiest month of the year in November, thanks to the resumption of tuna transshipment activities, with 23 transshipments, the highest since January
Europe Montenegro EPCG, Montenegro's largest electric utility, is planning to launch a large-scale tender for battery energy storage by the end of 2024 for the supply of 300 MWh of battery systems
America Nicaragua UN experts have urged Nicaragua to end arbitrary arrests and forced disappearances, following reports of 229 torture cases, with many victims facing violent and inhumane treatment, while the government minimizes international criticism
Africa Mauritania A €4,85 million contribution from the European Union helped WFP provide vital food and nutrition assistance to 78.000 people affected by the crisis in Mauritania in 2024
Asia Turkmenistan Turkmenistan Football Federation President and FFT Secretary General Serdar Geldiyev held a video conference with football club "Villarreal" to discuss cooperation in youth soccer development