Europe Spain A massive counterfeit perfume factory has been dismantled; the plant produced tens of thousands of liters of counterfeit fragrances, imitations of around fifty luxury brands, to be marketed to the rest of Europe via France
America Panama A Chinese monument at the Panama Canal has been demolished by local authorities amid Trump’s threats to retake control, prompting outrage from Panama’s government and calls for its immediate restoration
Europe Iceland The Order of the Falcon, Iceland's highest national honor established in 1921 and awarded twice a year, has been confered on fourteen Icelanders on New Year’s Day; for the first time the Office of the President announced number of recipients in advance
America Venezuela The US has carried out a CIA drone strike on a port in Venezuela to hit Tren de Aragua drug logistics, marking an escalation of pressure on Maduro, with no casualties
Oceania Fiji Random Fiji Police sweeps in hotspot areas across urban centres are address the growing number of beggars and street children proving food rations; the operation begun weeks ago is continuing during the festive season
Asia Iraq For the Baghdad Metro project and for the development of a new Iraq's investment portfolio international institutions such as the IFC and the European Investment Bank will be involved in collaboration with relevant Iraqi institutions
Asia Cyprus After 14 years, Cyprus has taken over the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union yesterday 1 January; it will lead during a politically sensitive moment, and aims to shape the EU's role on the global stage
America Guatemala A bus accident on the Interamerican Road has left 15 people dead and at least 15 injured in Guatemala, prompting the government to declare a 3-day national mourning period amid ongoing concerns over road safety
Asia Israel For Israeli tech firms 2025 has been a record year, with unprecedented gains even amid war; despite optimism, the future of many business will be outside Israel due to exodus of talent and taxes: the country would then loose its main economic driver
Asia Maldives The Maldives is facing a shortage of medicines, with many essential drugs unavailable and challenges in accessing doctors, so that even basic treatments can be difficult to obtain; public complaints about healthcare quality reflect structural problems
Europe France New fares for public transport in Paris are taking effect today, impacting one of the most extensive and reliable networks; the average +2,3% hike includes Metro-Train-RER tickets, Bus-Tram tickets, airport tickets, the Navigo Week and Month passes
Africa Tanzania Serengeti is preparing to set a record by receiving over 600.000 tourists before June 2026, as latest figure from Park Management confirm 491.000 arrivals within mid-December; calving season will begin in February, with 500k newborn gnus expected
Europe Belgium The number of families waiting for social housing in Brussels Region has risen from 50.000 to over 59.000 in one year; waiting time for securing social housing in the capital ranges from nine to thirteen years, depending on the type of housing requested
Asia Nepal 366 gharials in rivers Rapti and Narayani have been recorded with a new survey, confirming a steady recovery of the endangered crocodile; a freshwater dolphin was also sighted, signaling improving river health and success of conservation efforts in Nepal