Oceania Marshall Islands The Marshallese Christmas is celebrated with Jepta, or 'group', dancing and signing competitions, Wojke - a handmade container filled with small gifts and Biit Dancing - an energetic, modern church dancing, often loud and with amplified music
Europe Ireland Vada and Borgo restaurants have been added to the Michelin Guide, bringing to 112 the number of restaurants in the Republic featured in the listings; both are located in Dublin 7 and both are relatively new openings
Europe Montenegro Internet banking is getting more and more popular and online fraud, particularly phishing, is on the rise in Montenegro, costing victims millions; cybersecurity experts warn of deceptive messages, almost identical to those of a trusted institution
Africa Mozambique As six Mexican nationals were apprehended and charged with entering Botswana through an ungazetted point of entry, information emerged in Court that the group is a notorious drug cartel group wanted in Mozambique
Africa eSwatini MPs have called for an immediate halt to the issuing of operating licences to gambling companies until the long-awaited Gaming Control Regulations are finalised and tabled before Parliament
Africa Seychelles Seychelles has been officially voted the Indian Ocean’s Best Cruise Destination for the fifth consecutive year at the World Cruise Awards Gala Ceremony 2025 held in Bahrain earlier this month
Europe Poland Psychologists urged holiday digital detox to protect mental health: putting smartphones aside for two or three days during the holidays brings measurable mental and physical benefits, lower stress and better sleep
Europe Bosnia and Herzegovina Croatia’s parliament opened way to building a disposal facility for radioactive waste from the Krsko Nuclear Power Plant in Slovenia and from domestic hospitals and industry in Cerkezovac, only 3km away from the border with BiH and the Una National Park
Europe Norway Less Norwegian children and youth suffer bullying at school, a new survey shows; of 440.000 school students from grade 5 through high school interviewed, a significant percentage is motivated, enjoy school and get support from their teachers
Oceania Tonga Laulea Beach in Fatumu, known for its strong currents, has been strictly closed to the public until after the New Year's holiday; Police Deputy Commissioner, said the measure aims to prevent drownings, following the death of a 40-year-old male last month
Africa South Africa As beaches in Durban closed yesterday, one of the busiest beach days of the festive season, it took the police two hours to actually remove people from the surf; swimming after 6pm is prohibited by municipal laws as lifeguard shifts end
Oceania Fiji Skilled health workers from Fiji and other Pacific Island countries are now included in Pacific Australia Labor Mobility scheme: drawn to Australia to fill shortages in care sector for a much higher salary, they create a critical need of labor back home
Asia Saudi Arabia Schools in Eastern Province and Hafr Al-Batin governorate have switched to distance learning via the Madrasati platform yesterday, following reports from the National Center for Meteorology of rainfall in the region and snowfall in Tabuk area
Africa Botswana Botswana-born visual artist Totang Motoloki unveiled mixed–media works that redefine 'Home' using recycled street tins and traditional Tswana techniques; the solo exhibition at Lannieus Sanitas gallery in Gaborone is part of contemporary Art Botswana 2025