Asia Myanmar Peace talks with several smaller ethnic armed organizations have been promoted by Myanmar’s military government as evidence of ongoing national reconciliation; Critics argue the discussions exclude many of the country’s most powerful resistance groups
Asia Kazakhstan The National Academic Library of Astana and the Auezov Institute of Literature and Art organised an international conference on the 95th anniversary of Chingiz Aitmatov, the famous Kyrgyz writer and statesman
Asia Kuwait A 20% increase in the value of imported cosmetics has been registered this year; cosmetics imported in January-November amounted to 89,5 million dinars (€263.000.000), compared to 74,9 million dinars of 2022
Africa Morocco The poverty rate in Morocco has increased, multiplying by 4 in two years, due to the 2020 health crisis, lockouts and job losses, reported the Royal Institute of Strategic Studies
America Jamaica The Westmoreland Infirmary received a donation of toiletries and other items from Jamaica University of Technology student Geri-Ann Miller, purchased through cash and in-kind donations from family and friends
Oceania Kiribati A UN Special Rapporteur criticised the government of Kiribati for its treatment of judges and the country's judicial crisis; the country has limited legal services and no court of appeal
Europe Kosovo Shop windows in Gjakova/Djakovica and Pristina are more festive than usual this year, after shop owners responded to a Facebook post by 15-year-old Renea Morina, who said she wanted to paint shop window decorations to raise funds to help her single mother
Africa Mozambique The Mozambique Market Assessment for Resilient Buildings Report, a new report by the International Finance Corporation, shows the opportunities for local builders linked to the improving of climate resilience of buildings in the country
Oceania Micronesia Operation Christmas Drop, a PACAF event with numerous partnerships is airlifting food, supplies, educational material and toys to islanders in the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of Palau through crews of C-130J Super Hercules cargo planes
Asia Israel The Israeli army claimed to have caused 'unintentional harm' to 'uninvolved civilians' in two attacks this week against a densely populated neighbourhood in the Gaza Strip, where, according to local health authorities, dozens of people were killed
Asia Bahrain The country exported BD 299 million ($792,42 million) worth of domestically sourced products in November, down 15% from BD 350 million in November 2022
Asia Armenia A court in Yerevan put an end to the marathon trial of former President Robert Kocharyan, who agreed to the statute of limitations despite strongly denying the corruption charges against him
Africa Sao Tome and Principe After more than two months of constant cuts, the Sao Tomé and Príncipe Water and Electricity Company announced the regularisation of the energy supply to the population with the doubling of production to 20 megawatts
Asia East Timor A ban on the individual use of artificial rockets and other pyrotechnic devices throughout national territory has been issued in consequence of recent incidents in various areas; to safeguard the safety of all citizens, searches will be conducted