Asia Myanmar Construction of China–Myanmar railway, high-speed passenger and freight corridor linking Yunnan to Kyaukphyu deep-sea port on the Bay of Bengal, is being accelerated; the line will give China direct access to the Indian Ocean, bypassing the Malacca Strait
Africa Namibia Creative Industries Strategy 2025-2030 presentation and international consultations will be launched; the strategy shapes establish a framework to redefine Namibia’s cultural environment, with a greater focus on creating wealth through the creative sector
Asia Saudi Arabia The Farasan Islands Reserve joined Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar), making it the first Saudi marine reserve to be officially registered under the Convention, a milestone in the Kingdom’s efforts to protect ecosystems
Europe Belgium A street dealer in Antwerp attempted to sell drugs to undercover police officers this weekend, according to local police; the man was arrested twice in two days for the offence, has been apprehended around 30 times this year and is irregular in Belgium
Europe Luxembourg Doctors’ and dentists’ association, pursuing its goal of higher remuneration for doctors has caused conflict with the government and hospitals, as the organization, newly named Médecins du sector hospitalier, says the billing system lacks transparency
America Barbados Former Mr Universe, professional wrestler and actor Earl Maynard, as he turns 90, reflects on the journey that took him from Barbados to the UK and Hollywood and how his roots continued to guide him back to his motherland
Africa eSwatini Eswatini Events Managers and Promoters Association EEMPA has warned scammers from releasing fake posters as the festive seasons approaches; to detect false advertisement EEMPA will be working with authorities to prevent misleading advertising
Europe Estonia Ingka Investments, IKEA Group, has received permission to acquire 18.000 hectares of forest in Estonia from the Swedish-owned Södra Forest Estonia; Competition Authority approved the €720 million acquisition; most of Södra, 135.000 hectares, is in Latvia
Asia Maldives The ban on packaging, producing, and importing single-use plastic water bottles sized between 500ml and 1 litre, set to begin on 1 December 1 has been set to 1 December 2027 by President Muizzu who amended previous presidential decree
Asia Jordan The number of companies registered in the first 11 months of 2025 has grown at an "unprecedented" rate since 2014, rising by about 46 per cent, while total registered capital reached its highest level ever, according to Companies Controller Wael Armouti
Africa Botswana As Botswana sees a booming elephant population, a government-backed documentary argues for hunting and ivory sales; "Paradise in Peril", locally produced, places Batswana livelihoods at the centre of a global conservation battle
Europe Bulgaria Crowds took to the streets in Sofia and other cities on Monday night to protest against centre-right populists governing coalition GERB; the largest protests since the 1990s saw a major presence of young people who organized themselves via TikTok and IG
Africa Madagascar The annual revision of the electoral register RALE, scheduled to begin on 1 December, will not take place as the transitional government suspended the operation considered the basic step in electoral process, in contrast with preparations already underway
Oceania Australia Gumbaynggirr Giingana Freedom School, the first Aboriginal bilingual school in New South Wales, is pioneering a model of success judged by happiness and is spearheading an Indigenous language revival