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
America Grenada Food and Nutrition Council has warned parents to rise alert during festivities as many Christmas must-haves in Grenadian households contain alcohol, like black cake and sorrel; GFNC cautions that consumption at child age can increase risk of dependency
America Cuba Havana authorities have measured in cubic meters the volume of garbage in the streets, with people hoping they would collect it, as data was used for a study to "plan better" that would involve support from the private sector
Asia Japan Portable power banks catching fire in Japan have more than doubled between 2020 and 2024; public and private sectors have begun strengthening safety measures and efforts to raise public awareness amid a series of incidents in public spaces this year
Europe Greece The School of Electrical and Computer Engineering at National Technical University of Athens will use AI to identify students at risk of exceeding graduation timelines; analyzing 30 years of data it will intercept anomalies and alert academic advisors
Asia Nepal Karki's government is mired in controversy for disputed political appointments, alleged misuse of authority, and infighting within the ruling coalition; These issues have stalled key reforms and eroded public trust
Asia Myanmar Thailand’s foreign minister sayd Myanmar’s planned election cannot be credible under junta rule, citing repression, no inclusive participation, and ongoing conflict. He urges ASEAN and global partners to push for political dialogue and humanitarian access
Asia Malaysia Sabah, a resource-rich Malaysian state on northern Borneo, is heading to elections; Its strategic location, diverse population and vital natural assets make it crucial for national stability, drawing the country's attention
Europe Croatia Controversial Croatian singer Marko Perkovic Thompson will hold one concert in Zagreb on December 27; the city's leftist Mayor hasn't permitted a second show as the right-wing singer whose songs glorify Croatian nationalism
America Uruguay Molecular DNA markers, AI image recognition systems like ZoomAgri and systematic field sampling have been implemented to protect plant breeders' rights in seed industry, enhancing transparency and ensuring farmers' access to top-tier technologies
Europe Bulgaria 2026 state budget doubles the dividend tax on private businesses to fund a rise in public-sector wages despite criticisms by the opposition, professional associations and business analysts, widely seen as a way to satisfy loyal voters in the public sector
Asia Mongolia Despite long-standing bans on smoking and sales near schools, smoking rates remain high: excise taxes will be raised through 2030 to curb youth use and fund school health programs, rules on e-cigarettes expanded as Mongolia tightens Tobacco Control Law
America Guatemala A volunteer-led initiative in Guatemala has protected hundreds of children from hazardous firework labor by offering schooling, food, and community support through the “Sulla Strada” project, launched to combat extreme poverty and child exploitation
America Costa Rica An alliance in Costa Rica has promoted women's training in high-demand STEM fields through the Red MenTe program, which has already benefited 30 women with intensive education in cybersecurity, infrastructure, and AI-driven data analysis