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
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
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
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 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
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
Asia India A contract worth over 440 million euros has been signed to purchase 425.000 close-quarter battle carbines and 48 heavyweight torpedos for submarines; they will be mostly manufactured in India in agreement with international companies
America Panama Over 700 Panama Metro Buses have been vandalized in two years, 359 cases reported in 2025, notwithstanding calls from Mi Bus authorities and user leaders to put an end to the defacing; this year, Mi Bus has spent $65.000 just on glass repairs
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
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
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
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
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 Nicaragua Despite monitoring and warnings from Nicaraguan Institute of Territorial Studies for the current activity of the Masaya volcano, Tourism Institute celebrates the influx of visitors and continues to promote the site as a Christmas vacation destination