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
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
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
Asia Brunei Within its pro-business initiative, the Brunei's Government has decided that fuel stations will be inspected twice a year starting 2026; the measure takes into consideration the industry's 6-years compliance and the rules of other ASEAN countries
Europe Bulgaria Bulgaria is joining the euro area today 1 January 2026, a stronger foundation for long-term growth and resilience; across Europe the transition will lead to greater economic stability, smoother transactions and stronger integration
Africa Ghana Nearly 3 million Ghanaians have used cryptocurrency as of end of 2025, prompting authorities to introduce phased licensing rules starting in 2026; a framework for safe cryptocurrency trading and Bitcoin adoption, formally legalised, will be set
Oceania Nauru ODA graduation to high-income country is postponed until 2027; previously set to 1 January 2026, the one-year deferral recognizes UN’s new MVI ranking Nauru as the most vulnerable in the Pacific, 5th globally, and that GDP figures don't reflect reality
America Dominica Dominica State College is preparing to welcome 150 incoming students as it prepares for the January 2026 academic term; to facilitate integration into college life, the institution has scheduled a New Student Orientation on 12-14 January
Asia Uzbekistan Visa rules approved in late 2025 are applied in 2026: business visa process simplified for 15 countries, visa-free stay for up to 30 days introduced for Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and stay period extended for China except Hong Kong
Europe Luxembourg Despite concern pervading the business community in 2025, for reasons that include tariffs, increasing inflation, rising unemployment, higher pension contributions, warnings about profitability, sentiment for 2026 is resilient and even positive
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
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
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