Asia South Korea Former President Yoon Suk Yeol was sentenced to life in prison, charged with leading an insurrection as he imposed martial law for a few tumultuous hours on 3 December 2024; some argue it is a sign of a healthy democracy
Africa Somalia Nearly 1.000 Somali refugees stranded in Yemen returned to their home country in 2025; voluntary repatriation program was carried out by UNHCR, Somali and Yemeni authorities, and international partners, to ensure safe passage and reintegration support
Asia Singapore Nanyang Technological University building covering will be safe for birds, that have been crashing agains the glass walls for nearly two decades; student-led Project Avigate launched a fund-raiser online to fix the building, raising €40.000 in two months
Oceania Vanuatu Doctors and medical officers will be trained on Medical Certification of Cause of Death MCCD to improve the accuracy of national health data; the initiative of the Ministry of Health is supported by the World Health Organization
Oceania Papua New Guinea Partial privatization of state energy company PNG Pover Ltd. is moving on after years of lack of initiative, notwithstanding progress in talks; the government is considering options that would benefit customers and investors and a transparent process
Asia Qatar Art installation “241” has been inaugurated within the Msheireb Museums, commemorating 241 children who died in Gaza; an illuminated light box features a photograph of each one, while designs, videos, and curated materials show their aspirations
Africa Nigeria Motorists on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway experienced severe traffic disruption after a truck driver allegedly blocked both lanes at the Ogere end, protesting what he described as extortion by officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps
Africa Libya The Acting Minister of Health in the Government of National Unity met investors and companies to discuss participation in a pharmaceutical manufacturing plant in Libya to localize the pharmaceutical industry and encourage investment in the sector
Europe Norway Only one film won more Golden Globe nominations this week than the popular and critically acclaimed Norwegian film Sentimental Value; its eight nominations set a record in Norway, and the film’s Norwegian star was thrilled.
Africa Sao Tome and Principe Tchiloli, an iconic artistic expression that combines theatre, music and dance originated in the 16th century and narrating a dramatic trial, is now inscribed on the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
America Belize Major gaps in services for children with disabilities have been revealed in a national analysis launched with UNICEF in Belize, highlighting the urgent need for inclusive policies despite progress under the 2024 Disability Act
Asia Iran Iran analyst Omid Memarian, in Eye for Iran, presents the dramatic cultural opening sweeping across Iran as a bottom-up movement driven by a young generation that is less willing to be intimidated, not as a government reform
America Chile Undocumented migrants have dispersed across Chile’s Arica border after Peru has blocked their entry, following fears of expulsion that prompted attempts to flee through the desert frontier
Asia Bhutan Bhutan’s National Assembly unanimously adopted the framework agreement to join the International Big Cat Alliance, committing the country to global cooperation on big-cat conservation, anti-poaching efforts, and habitat protection