Across continents, Christmas is being observed with a mix of worship, tradition and local flavour, reflecting how the season resonates differently around the world.
The Trump administration will require some visa applicants from Malawi to pay bonds of up to $15,000 under a pilot program launching in two weeks. The move targets countries with high overstay rates and vetting deficiencies, according to the U.S. State Department.
Ghana is in mourning after a military helicopter crashed in the southern Ashanti region, killing two cabinet ministers and six others. The government called it a national tragedy and has launched an investigation into the cause.
Nigeria’s Plateau State has revived an intra-city train service to offer cheaper public transport. The move comes amid soaring fuel prices after the federal government scrapped fuel subsidies in 2023, pushing up bus fares and straining household budgets.
Severe flooding in Guinea’s capital, Conakry, has killed at least 15 people and displaced dozens. Weeks of heavy rain exposed the city’s fragile infrastructure, prompting emergency calls for urgent drainage system upgrades and relocations from high-risk areas.
Hundreds of thousands remain trapped in Sudan’s al-Fashir as Rapid Support Forces (RSF) tighten their siege. Aid agencies warn of famine, cholera, and rising civilian deaths as food, water, and medical supplies run out across Darfur.
Lesotho’s government warned that a new 15% U.S. tariff on its textile exports, though reduced from a proposed 50%, could still cripple its economy. Officials say the cut is not enough to protect jobs in the garment industry, which depends heavily on duty-free access to the U.S. market.
U.S. President Donald Trump will host South African President on Wednesday for crunch talks over alleged "genocide" on white farmers and other racial issues highlighted by the Trump. Ramaphosa is hoping to use the opportunity to revive US-South Africa relations, currently at its lowest since 1994.
The European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) has confirmed 2024 as the first full year in which global temperatures exceeded 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. The milestone, driven by human-caused climate change, signals a significant shift in global temperature trends.
Ahead of President Nicolás Maduro's expected inauguration later this week, two U.S. citizens were among a group of seven individuals arrested in Venezuela on January 7. Maduro has branded the detainees as "mercenaries," adding to the tension surrounding his third-term.
Samsung Electronics, the global leader in memory chips, smartphones, and televisions, has released its fourth-quarter operating profit estimate, revealing a significant shortfall compared to analyst expectations. The South Korean tech giant reported an estimated operating profit of 6.5 trillion won.
At least 10 tornadoes struck the southeastern U.S. states of Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi on Saturday, December 28, with severe weather causing widespread damage and leaving at least one person dead near Houston, according to local law enforcement and the National Weather Service.
South Korea has declared a national mourning period until January 4th following the tragic crash of a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 on December 29. The disaster, which killed 179 people, has left the nation in mourning. A memorial was held on December 30 to honor the victims.
Paleontologists have discovered the fossil of a rare prehistoric crocodile believed to be over 10 million years old. This breakthrough gives scientists a unique glimpse into the existence, characteristics and environment of ancient aquatic reptiles in the region.
The European Union has pledged €200 million to assist Morocco with post-earthquake reconstruction, bringing total aid to €1 billion. Despite this support, relations between Morocco and the EU are strained due to a legal dispute over Western Sahara and trade agreements.
Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Valencia on Saturday, demanding regional president Carlos Mazon’s resignation over floods that have killed more than 220 people. The protests highlight widespread anger over ongoing school closures and the government’s handling of the crisis.
Residents in eastern Congo face frequent power cuts due to plastic waste clogging the Ruzizi hydroelectric dam, which disrupts local businesses. The dam, located on Lake Kivu, is choked by plastic bottles and items dumped into the lake. Efforts are underway to introduce waste management solutions.
Australian police have arrested former radio show host, Alan Jones, over allegations of indecent assaults spanning almost 20 years. TV footage from local media sees him in a police car entering a police station in Sydney.
Harini Amarasuriya was reappointed as Sri Lanka's prime minister by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Dissanayake also appointed Vijitha Herath as foreign minister after his coalition won 159 seats in the general election. Despite strong, concerns remain over implementing IMF-backed reform.
Olaf Scholz's hopes of being re-elected as German chancellor is under threat as calls for his withdrawal intensify. Infighting within the SPD and dwindling popularity among the German people have contributed to the unprecedented move.
Cross-country traveller, Omar Nok, is trending on social media after completing an overland journey from Cairo to Japan. He reached his final destination in Tokyo after 247 days, travelling 46,239 kilometres.
Residents of the Mediterranean island of Sicily are grappling with a worsening water crisis, underscoring the urgency of global action on water security.
UNICEF has raised concerns over the toxic smog hospitalizing children in Lahore, Pakistan, the world’s most polluted city in terms of air quality, according to Swiss group IQAir’s live ratings. Schools and outdoor areas have been closed in the region.
Hurricane Rafael struck western Cuba on Thursday, causing widespread damage in Artemisa province, known as Havana's breadbasket. The storm toppled power lines, damaged homes, and uprooted trees. It also knocked out power for 10 million people.
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