Africa eSwatini 11 000 jobs have been added in 2023-25; though it may appear as a positive development for Eswatini’s economy, economists fear that Eswatini’s labour market is expanding in low-productivity jobs rather than sectors building long-term economic security
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
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
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
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 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 Sri Lanka Under a special presidential amnesty, 1.004 prisoners are to be released this Christmas, of whom 15 are female
Asia Cambodia The General Department of Immigration has announced that it will begin drug testing all its employees starting next week
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'
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
Africa Malawi The refugee rights situation in the Dzaleka refugee camp is at risk after the government expelled a refugee rights organisation that was providing independent oversight of the human rights situation in the camp, says Human Rights Watch
Asia Indonesia A five-year multiple-entry visa has been introduced for foreigners who want to visit the country for tourism or business reasons; he policy is part of the government’s efforts to increase the number of visitors and stimulate the economy
Europe Ireland Dublin City Council is appealing to homeowners to stop covering their front gardens with concrete and asphalt contributing to increased flooding and sewer overflows into waterways