Africa Cameroon In an unprecedented disruption to academic calendar, the Ministry ordered the immediate rescheduling of all remaining papers for the ongoing 2026 examination session after a severe security breach compromised confidential materials across digital networks
Europe Sweden Tesla said over 20.000 cars were registered in Sweden this year, even though ongoing labour strikes seem to threaten its operations in the country
Asia Brunei Brunei's growing popularity as a travel destination has seen an increase of people offering guiding services without licences, jeopardising the integrity of tourism industry and raising concerns about the quality of the experiences provided to visitors
Asia Kyrgyzstan The government has decided to remove the sunflower from the national flag, considered a symbol of servility; demonstrations have been banned in the centre of the capital, but on social media thousands of citizens say they are against the change
Asia Syria The main churches have limited their celebrations to Christmas prayers in solidarity with Palestinians suffering from the war in Gaza: 'in Palestine, the birthplace of Jesus Christ, people are suffering,' said the Syrian Catholic Archbishop of Aleppo
Asia India Although the Christian community is in the minority (third after Hinduism and Islam), there are many Christmas markets in the country's cities, while Santas, Christmas trees and illuminations decorate shopping centres and children set up cribs
Asia Cambodia The General Department of Immigration has announced that it will begin drug testing all its employees starting next week
Asia Sri Lanka Under a special presidential amnesty, 1.004 prisoners are to be released this Christmas, of whom 15 are female
Africa Burkina Faso Burkina Faso is the first country to announce its final 27-man squad for AFCON 2023 after coach Hubert Velud named the players who will represent the country at the Total Energies Africa Cup of Nations
Europe Bulgaria The cost of essential ingredients for the Christmas table has risen by between 15% and 20% compared to last year's spending in Bulgaria: the most significant increases include eggs, butter, pork and chicken
Asia Philippines The Philippines Department of Trade and Industry is preparing a national road map for the halal industry, while planning to launch an international exhibition next year to showcase the best halal products
Europe Ukraine For the first time since 1917, the country has decided to celebrate Christmas on 25 December, in a law signed by President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, with the aim of 'abandoning the Russian legacy of imposing Christmas celebrations on 7 January'
America Chile Chile has rejected changing its constitution for the second time, maintaining the 1980 Pinochet-era constitution, with 55,76% voting against the more conservative proposal, expressing discontent with the divisive constitutional process