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 Central African Republic Faustin-Archange Touadéra will bid for a third term in this month's elections; he is now hailing Russian and Emirati support, rejecting criticism over Wagner and Neptune Oil and calls on outsiders to let Africans choose their leaders
Asia Japan Portable power banks catching fire in Japan have more than doubled between 2020 and 2024; public and private sectors have begun strengthening safety measures and efforts to raise public awareness amid a series of incidents in public spaces this year
America Cuba Havana authorities have measured in cubic meters the volume of garbage in the streets, with people hoping they would collect it, as data was used for a study to "plan better" that would involve support from the private sector
Europe Bulgaria 2026 state budget doubles the dividend tax on private businesses to fund a rise in public-sector wages despite criticisms by the opposition, professional associations and business analysts, widely seen as a way to satisfy loyal voters in the public sector
Europe Croatia Controversial Croatian singer Marko Perkovic Thompson will hold one concert in Zagreb on December 27; the city's leftist Mayor hasn't permitted a second show as the right-wing singer whose songs glorify Croatian nationalism
Europe Italy After a week-long relay in Greece, the Olympic flame will be handed over to Italian Games organizers in Athens on 4 December; it will start a domestic journey of 63-days and 12.000 km across 110 provinces, with 10.001 torchbearers, from Rome on 6 December
Europe Monaco Netflix will release Murder in Monaco on 17 December, a documentary on one of the most high-profile criminal cases in the Principality’s history: the death of billionaire banker Edmond Safra on 3 December 1999 in his apartment's fire
Asia Mongolia Despite long-standing bans on smoking and sales near schools, smoking rates remain high: excise taxes will be raised through 2030 to curb youth use and fund school health programs, rules on e-cigarettes expanded as Mongolia tightens Tobacco Control Law
America Uruguay Molecular DNA markers, AI image recognition systems like ZoomAgri and systematic field sampling have been implemented to protect plant breeders' rights in seed industry, enhancing transparency and ensuring farmers' access to top-tier technologies
America Canada The province of Alberta has signed a new energy deal that will position Canada as a global energy superpower while working toward net-zero emissions; the agreement involves a new bitumen pipeline to the West Coast with Indigenous co-ownership
Asia Myanmar Thailand’s foreign minister sayd Myanmar’s planned election cannot be credible under junta rule, citing repression, no inclusive participation, and ongoing conflict. He urges ASEAN and global partners to push for political dialogue and humanitarian access
America Guatemala A volunteer-led initiative in Guatemala has protected hundreds of children from hazardous firework labor by offering schooling, food, and community support through the “Sulla Strada” project, launched to combat extreme poverty and child exploitation
America Costa Rica An alliance in Costa Rica has promoted women's training in high-demand STEM fields through the Red MenTe program, which has already benefited 30 women with intensive education in cybersecurity, infrastructure, and AI-driven data analysis