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
Oceania Palau Scholarship awards from the Palau National Scholarship Board are set to increase by 26% in 2026 after Congress approved a major budget boost, bringing more financial relief for tuition, books and living expenses
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
America United States The atomic clocks at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, some of the most accurate in the world, fell out of sync of 5-millionths of a second earlier this month because of a power outage
Europe Russia Russia's main stock market index, the MOEX, rose to 2765 points on yesterday 30 December 2025; over the past month the index has climbed 2,92%, though it remains 2,23% lower than a year ago, according to benchmark index trackings from Russia
Africa Guinea General Mamadi Doumbouya has been declared the winner of the presidential elections by the Electoral Commission after obtaining in the first round over 86% of the vote; the opposition questioned the turnout and fairness of the elections
America Venezuela The increase in Caracas bus fares has been formalized; adjustments follow requests from the transportation sector, asking to adhere to official exchange rates of the Central Bank, citing rising operating costs, shortage of spare parts and inflation
Asia Vietnam All 361 houses damaged by natural disasters in Đà Nẵng have been completed repaired one month from the start of “Quang Trung Campaign"; among them, 144 houses were completely destroyed by floods and required full rebuilding
Africa Ethiopia With five months to go before 7th general elections on 1 June 2026, Ethiopia stands at a critical democratic crossroads; transparency looks critical for elections legitimacy and National Election Board is called to regularly and clearly update the public
Europe San Marino The Italian-San Marino Cross-Border Workers Association obtained the inclusion in the 2026 budget of a motion addressing the issue of double taxation that has penalized retired workers in the border area for years
Asia Mongolia Mongolia ends 2025 with respectable headline growth but mounting strain; the government faces two linked vulnerabilities: a widening fiscal gap and a fragile political base that together are turning favorable macro signals into rising political risk
America Peru 157 beaches were declared "unhealthy" nationwide on the threshold of summer 2026; the General Directorate of Environmental Health warned that several touristic coastal stretch in Peru are unsuitable for recreation and pose a risk to public health
Europe Monaco Two ministerial decrees foster safety and order during the busiest nights of the festive season: limits on fireworks possession leave room only to official pyrotechnical shows and security obligations for nightlife venues are strengthened
Asia Turkey Turkish civil society organizations affiliated with the National Will Platform have urged citizens to gather on Istanbul’s Galata Bridge on 1 January 2026 for a rally protesting the violence in Palestine and calling for an end to the raids