Asia Thailand Thailand Social Security Fund has gone beyond its allowed investment risk limit, prompting concerns about how funds are being managed; Authorities are reviewing the situation and will adjust investments to bring risk levels within rules, protecting savers
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
Europe Slovakia GymBeam, Slovakia’s biggest fitness brand, built a regional e-commerce empire from Košice; now, after attracting investors for €110 million, is moving its headquarters to Austria
America Saint Lucia To strengthen national capacity in rapid HIV and syphilis testing and improving the quality of laboratory services across Saint Lucia, a Master Trainers Training Programme was held as part of the OECS Global Fund HIV/TB Project
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
Africa Gabon An intensive training in environmental and investigative journalism started in Libreville; organized by NGO WildAid with the Ministry of Communication, it aims to improve media coverage of nature conservation, environmental governance, eco-crimes
Africa Madagascar The new urban train officially departed Soarano station on Monday 15 December at 7:30 a.m. with guests on board and opened to the public yesterday, with the first departure from Soarano to Ambohimanambola starting with two daily round trips for commuters
Europe Romania Two cases of leprosy, the first in Romania since 1981, have been confirmed and two suspected cases more are under investigation according to local press; all four individuals are women from Indonesia employed as masseuses at a spa salon in Cluj-Napoca
America Haiti Newly published electoral decree has drawn strong reactions at home and abroad: internationally welcomed as a necessary step to restart democratic processed after four years without elections, locally criticized as the adoption process looks idealistic
Europe United Kingdom The number of flu cases in the UK reached a record high for this time of year: they rose by 55% last week, with an average of 2.660 patients per day ending up in hospital
Europe Finland The Director General of Finland’s Social Insurance Institution Kela has taken extended medical leave until the end of May 2026 after being diagnosed with a serious illness while on a work trip to Brussels
Europe Iceland Federation of fishers disagrees with new mackerel agreement that reduces Iceland’s share, pointing out that the agreement does not constitute a comprehensive coastal states agreement, as both Greenland and the European Union are excluded
Europe Albania Judges could raise their retirement age to 75 to help reduce the backlog of court cases; the proposal has been discussed by the parliament commission working on a series of technical amendments to justice reform laws, in the absence of opposition
Africa Niger Niger will host 10th edition of African Exhibition of Invention and Innovative Enterprise SAIIT in 2026; the designation was voted at the 65th board session of the OAPI African Intellectual Property Organization, on entrepreneurship and innovative economy