Asia Sri Lanka Digital marketplace LilyLanka has been launched to connect small and medium enterprises with customers; the platform includes products, online sales and delivery services and aims to digitalize local trade, expand market access and support SMEs recovery
Africa Somalia Somaliland authorities rejected accusations that it agreed to host Israeli military facilities and resettle displaced Palestinians from Gaza in exchange for recognition by Israel, saying the claims are baseless and the step “purely diplomatic”
America Canada More leaks and further disruption are expected until Calgary's main water pipe is completely replaced, mayor says, after a rupture caused water shortages that led to calls for conservation with showers shorter than 3', essential flushing and water boiling
Oceania New Zealand NZ doctors are increasingly finding themselves caring for patients who require medical help following gastric bypass and gastric sleeve procedures undergone abroad; medical tourism is posing new threats as post-op complications cases rise
Africa Zimbabwe Police in Zimbabwe, with a sky-high number of road accidents per 100k residents, are now equipped with body cameras and breathalysers and push for a review of the driver licensing system with docking points for offenders and new driver training programs
Oceania Micronesia VP took part in the official kick off of the 74th Operation Christmas Drop, a tradition begun in 1952 when aircrew dropped a bundle of supplies attached to a parachute to waving islanders; OCD involves over 60 islands in FSM, Palau, Marshall Islands
Asia Turkmenistan Turkmenistan has taken over the chairmanship of the Commonwealth of Independent States CIS; President Berdimuhamedov has stated that the country intends to contribute to the full realization of the organization’s potential during its chairmanship
Asia Tajikistan The list of public officials required to declare income and assets was extended in an anticorruption effort, including employees of the National Bank, staff of state-owned financial institutions, officials working in Tajik embassies or government missions
Africa Niger Niger Basketball Federation has celebrated New Years' festivities with women's and men's National Cup; organized at the municipal stadium in Zinder, a city with a vivid basketball tradition, it saw the participation of authorities and fans
America Suriname Suriname, with Guyana, focused on training and strengthening defense forces in 2025, supported by donations of military equipment and supplies from allied nations
Europe Monaco In his New Year’s message, Prince Albert II highlighted the human dimension of 2025 Monaco's achievements, as the country showed its strength in unity, wishing 2026 would enable the spreading of Monegasque model of progress and common good
America Jamaica Despite being ravaged by Hurricane Melissa two months ago, several schools in St James are set to resume full classes today; administrators say the situation will not be perfect but reopening schools is a key step towards normality
Europe Greece Thousands of travelers have been stranded and airport operations across Greece were in a virtual standstill for several hours yesterday as a collapse of radio frequencies disrupted air traffic communications bringing to the shutdown of Greek airspace
Africa Equatorial Guinea Ciudad de La Paz, capital of the province of Djiploho, was proclaimed as the new national capital on 2 January 2026 by presidential decree signed by H.E. Obiang Nguema Mbasogo; Malabo had been Ecuatorial Guinea's capital city since independence in 1968