Asia Syria Syria TV pointed out that Cybercrime Law promulgated under Assad's government, considered a danger for free speech, hasn't been addressed by the transitional government so far, while its revision would be key in dismantling authoritarianism mechanism
Europe Switzerland Compulsory tipping does not meet with unanimous approval among the Swiss: over two-thirds of citizens do not want to include it in the price of their food, according to survey published earlier this month
Oceania Kiribati The 2nd Teriaki Canoe Paddling Competition showed both Kiribati’s maritime heritage and community spirit; hosted by the Ministry of Ocean Resources Development, it saw participants from ministries, companies and diplomatic partners together
Europe Bosnia and Herzegovina 7.540 people who disappeared during the war in the 1990s still haven't been accounted for, with the country searching for them; there are around 1.300 unidentified remains, both complete and incomplete, in the morgues
America Brazil President Lula will undergo a second surgery - a “complementary” procedure - to address a brain bleed caused by an October fall; as Brazil's oldest sitting president, Lula has inspired his followers, leading to several gatherings in Brasília for support
America Jamaica Jamaica now ranks first in the Caribbean for the collection of plastic bottles for recycling; the local collection rate of plastic for recycling is over 40% and the country aims to reach the standard rate of 70% collection per month
Europe Ireland New bandaging aims to ease the agony of those living with genetic skin condition Epidermolysis Bullosa; Maynooth University is leading research into 'spray on, wash off' bandages that won't cause severe pain when applied or removed, as those now used do
America Barbados The country signed a letter of understanding with the UN World Food Programme and committed to improve food security and nutrition in the region by 2030
Europe Bulgaria The draft budget for 2025 foresees an increase in funds for education from 4,1% to 4,8% of the country's gross domestic product, +0,7% compared to last year
Asia United Arab Emirates Freight forwarder dnata logistics has started work on a new $27m logistics centre close to Dubai World Central Airport; the 57.000 sq m facility will process 400.000 tonnes of cargo each year and increase the firm’s logistic storage capacity by around 50%
Oceania Papua New Guinea PNG stands at a crucial crossroads in its development journey, grappling with a range of challenges that impede sustainable progress, according to Reliefweb Common Country Analysis 2024 Update
Africa Burundi Under the theme "Development of Domestic Tourism", Burundi Tourism Week at Zion Beach, in Bujumbura, will open today 11 presided by the chairman of the African Tourism Board and will run until 14 December
Asia Bahrain The 20th IISS Manama Dialogue took place on 6–8 December 2024; promoted by the International Institute of Strategic Studies it brings together ministers, policy- and decision-makers to share the most pressing regional security issues and response policies
Asia Malaysia Severe monsoon floods hit Malaysia and southern Thailand, with over 30 casualties and 150.000 displaced; hardest-hit areas include Kelantan and Terengganu, with entire towns submerged and thousands missing as six months’ worth of rain fell in five days