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- The Netherlands and Suriname — Literary prize organizers distance themselves from Astrid Roemer. Dutch organizers awarded Surinamese poet Astrid Roemer a prestigious literary prize but cancelled the ceremony after she made controversial statements supporting former Surinamese president Desi Bouterse, who was associated with murder and political violence. Rather than publicly celebrate her, the organizers quietly transferred the cash prize. Roemer stood by her statements.
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines — A 200-year-old skull may reveal a hidden leprosy quarantine. Researchers from the University of Oregon examined a human skull discovered on remote Petite Mustique in 2003. Skeletal abnormalities suggest the woman suffered from leprosy, supporting the theory that the isolated island was used to keep infected people away from the public. It may be the earliest documented case of leprosy in the Americas.
- Tunisia — Kais Saied appoints the Arab world's first female prime minister amid political controversy. President Kais Saied appointed Najla Bouden Ramadhane after suspending parliament, seizing power and dismissing the previous prime minister. Critics speculated that the appointment was intended to soften opposition to his expanding authority. Ramadhane had limited political experience, making her new position particularly challenging.
- Maldives — Climate adaptation consumes 30% of the government's annual budget. The low-lying island nation is already spending an enormous share of public funds responding to climate change. Although developed countries have pledged $100 billion to help vulnerable nations adapt, the Maldives' parliamentary speaker argued that wealthy countries should also pay reparations for damage suffered by nations that contributed relatively little to the problem.
- Dominica — Citizenship-by-investment becomes an increasingly important tourism strategy. The country was named the world's Best Country for Second Citizenship by Professional Wealth Management magazine for the fifth consecutive year. Its programme offers citizenship through investments in properties such as the six-star Secret Bay resort. Applicants have primarily come from Africa, but a new nonstop Miami flight could attract more Americans seeking second citizenship and another passport. Dominican citizens also gained visa-free access to China.
- Fiji — Coral reefs recover dramatically after a devastating cyclone. Tropical Cyclone Winston caused more than $1.4 billion in damage in 2016 and severely damaged Fiji's reefs. Researchers subsequently observed substantial recovery, with young coral colonies spreading and attracting marine life. The recovery offered encouraging evidence that damaged reef ecosystems can regenerate.
- Lebanon — The British Museum funds restoration of artifacts damaged in the Beirut port explosion. The 2020 explosion killed approximately 200 people and destroyed 130 precious historical artifacts. The British Museum awarded $29,500 to restore some of the most significant damaged objects, including glass vessels nearly 2,000 years old.
- Algeria, Morocco and Spain — A territorial dispute threatens an important European gas supply. Spain receives approximately half its natural gas from Algeria through a pipeline crossing Morocco. Morocco itself depends on Algeria for about 10% of its gas. Algeria suspended the pipeline serving both countries amid an ongoing territorial dispute with Morocco. Spain can obtain gas through alternative routes, but at substantially higher prices.
- Moldova — Gazprom uses a gas supply dispute that raises questions about political leverage. Following the expiration of its supply contract, Moldova declared a state of emergency after Russian energy company Gazprom increased prices and reduced supply. Allegations emerged that renegotiations involved political discussions concerning Moldova's separatist region of Transnistria and the country's relationship with the European Union. The dispute highlighted Moldova's difficult position between Western European integration and dependence on Russian resources.
- Dominican Republic — An Italian mafia fugitive is identified through a YouTube cooking appearance. Marc Feren Claude Biart, accused of trafficking cocaine into the Netherlands, had escaped Europe and established a quiet life in Boca Chica. Although he concealed his face during an appearance on a YouTube cooking show, his distinctive tattoos enabled Italian police to identify him. His comfortable adopted lifestyle ultimately exposed him.
- Azerbaijan — A spectacular explosion in the Caspian Sea is attributed to a mud volcano. A massive column of fire erupted from the sea, initially raising concerns about offshore oil infrastructure. The likely cause was one of Azerbaijan's numerous mud volcanoes. Known as the Land of Fire, Azerbaijan possesses major oil reserves and hundreds of mud volcanoes, many of which remain active.
- Saint Lucia — The country explores geothermal energy to reduce its dependence on diesel. Saint Lucia currently relies primarily on diesel generators, contributing to high electricity costs. The government began investigating geothermal energy as a cleaner alternative. A $22 million World Bank grant will help establish whether the resource can be developed commercially.
- Ecuador — Darwin's Arch collapses following natural erosion intensified by climate change. The famous Galapagos landmark, located approximately one kilometre off Darwin Island, collapsed. Ecuadorian officials attributed the event to natural erosion. However, increasingly volatile weather and warming waters are accelerating the erosion processes responsible for the formation and eventual destruction of natural rock formations.
- China — Birthrates reach their lowest level since national records began in 1978. Despite relaxing its one-child restrictions beginning in 2015, China continued experiencing declining births. The latest record-low figure suggested that demographic changes alone might not explain the problem. Rising living costs and financial insecurity were identified as important reasons potential parents were postponing having children.
- Brazil — Amazon birds are becoming physically smaller as temperatures rise. A study examining 77 non-migratory bird species found that every species had decreased in size over approximately 40 years. Because the birds inhabit remote Amazonian areas, researchers identified rising temperatures as the major environmental change explaining the trend. One hypothesis is that smaller bodies help birds regulate heat because they no longer need to retain as much warmth. Researchers had not reached a definitive consensus.
- Colombia — Viche receives official recognition as African-Colombian cultural heritage. Congress recognized the traditional sugarcane-distilled liquor, sometimes called African-Colombian moonshine, as part of the country's ancestral and cultural heritage. The recognition could help local distillers commercialize the product and create generational wealth. Supporters hope it can follow the commercial success of Mexican mezcal.
- North Macedonia — The country celebrates 30 years of peaceful independence. Military parades in the capital, Skopje, and celebrations throughout the country marked the anniversary. Its Western integration has nevertheless been complicated by disputes with Greece, which eventually resulted in the country abandoning its original name, Macedonia, in favour of North Macedonia.
- Armenia — Joe Biden becomes the first US president to formally recognize the Armenian Genocide. The declaration was welcomed in Armenia and throughout the Armenian diaspora, although the response was relatively restrained. Many considered it a symbolic diplomatic gesture intended partly to test relations with Turkey, which continues to reject describing the historical atrocity as genocide.
- Thailand — The government introduces restrictions on news that causes public fear. Authorities justified the measure as a way to combat dangerous disinformation, but free-speech advocates feared it could suppress legitimate criticism. The law allows authorities to block individuals' internet access. Its introduction coincided with mounting public criticism of the government's slow COVID-19 vaccine rollout.
- Peru — Rural teacher Pedro Castillo wins a narrow presidential election and faces immediate resistance. His victory over the conservative right caught international observers and established political interests by surprise. Supporters of the losing side contested the result and harassed election officials. Only months into his presidency, Castillo's approval rating had fallen sharply, and possible impeachment threatened his administration.
- Antigua and Barbuda — Jasmine Harrison becomes the youngest woman to row across the Atlantic alone. She completed the Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Challenge after a 70-day journey ending in Antigua and Barbuda. The British rower was thrown overboard twice and endured repeated physical and psychological challenges before setting the world record.
- Ukraine — A Dutch court rules that the Scythian Gold belongs to Ukraine rather than Crimea's Russian-controlled authorities. The collection consists of historical treasures dating back to the Silk Road era. The artifacts were displayed in 2014 when Russia annexed Crimea, leaving their ownership unresolved for years. Russia criticised the ruling, while Ukraine viewed it as another international recognition of the illegality of Russia's seizure of the peninsula.
- Saint Kitts and Nevis — An international initiative seeks to develop local beekeeping businesses. The Caribbean nation of approximately 50,000 people joined an effort to support commercial beekeeping. The programme aims to create employment, bring locally produced honey and beeswax to market, and protect biodiversity by supporting pollinator populations.
- Mexico — A 150-year-old Columbus statue is to be replaced by a monument to an Indigenous woman. After considerable political debate, authorities announced the replacement of the statue in Mexico City. Supporters saw the decision as recognition of Indigenous people and women, two historically overlooked groups. Critics accused Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum of pursuing positive publicity without materially improving their circumstances.
- Grenada — The underwater sculpture park receives a major renovation and an 82-piece cultural installation. The project included cleaning and repairing existing sculptures and adding 82 new works celebrating Grenadian culture. Established in 2006, the park serves both as an artificial marine habitat and an important tourism attraction. The renovation aims to protect its environmental and commercial value.
- Bosnia-Herzegovina — American diplomacy attempts to prevent a separatist crisis. A senior American diplomat visited the country to persuade Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik to moderate his separatist rhetoric. The diplomat described the situation as an existential threat. Given the ethnic violence of the 1990s and the difficult negotiations that established peace, another attempt to break apart the country could destabilize the wider region and reverse decades of progress.
- Sri Lanka — Pandemic-related zoo closures produce an unexpected animal baby boom. Zoos closed in March 2020 and operated only briefly afterward, giving animals unusually quiet surroundings and fewer human visitors. Some species, including black swans and white peacocks, reproduced in Sri Lankan zoos for the first time. Lions also increased their reproductive activity.
- Iran and the United States — Both governments offer contradictory accounts of an oil tanker seizure in the Sea of Oman. Iran claimed that American forces had seized an Iranian tanker before Iranian naval forces successfully reclaimed it. The United States maintained that Iran had seized a Vietnamese tanker. The competing accounts remained unresolved in the report and highlighted the continuing hostility between the two countries.
- Cuba — Authorities prevent another major pro-democracy demonstration after July's historic protests. The July demonstrations were the largest in approximately 30 years and caught the government off guard. When another protest movement began organizing, authorities prevented known activists from leaving their homes, arrested people gathering for demonstrations and circulated media portraying the protests as an American-backed regime-change operation.
- Albania — One of Europe's poorest countries offers refuge to Afghan evacuees. Albania pledged to accept as many as 4,000 Afghans following the Taliban takeover, with approximately 700 arriving in the country. They were accommodated in coastal resorts while seeking visas and opportunities elsewhere. Although Albania was expected to be a temporary destination for many, the government said refugees were welcome to remain permanently.
- Trinidad and Tobago — Michael B. Jordan changes the name of his rum brand following accusations of cultural appropriation. His original brand name, J'Ouvert, referred to the opening of Trinidad and Tobago's famous Carnival. Thousands signed an online petition objecting to his trademarking a culturally significant term. Following the backlash, the actor agreed to change the brand's name.
- Seychelles — The government encourages citizens to grow the endangered Coco de Mer palm. The species exists naturally on only two of Seychelles' 115 islands and produces the world's largest seed. The rare seed can sell for as much as $260, primarily to tourists. The government introduced a programme allowing residents to apply for permission to grow the trees on private property, provided they have sufficient space and suitable soil.
- Chagos Islands, Mauritius and the United Kingdom — An international postal decision adds pressure to Britain's disputed colonial administration. Recognizing Mauritius' sovereignty claim over the Chagos archipelago, the Universal Postal Union decided to stop recognizing postage stamps issued under the British Indian Ocean Territory designation. The decision added international pressure on Britain to relinquish control and supported the broader effort to restore the islands to Mauritius. Chagossians had been forcibly relocated to Mauritius decades earlier.
- Serbia — Cristiano Ronaldo's discarded captain's armband raises $71,000 for a seriously ill infant. After a controversial refereeing decision cost Portugal important World Cup qualifying points against Serbia, Ronaldo threw his armband onto the ground as he left the pitch. A charity group recovered it and auctioned it to fund treatment for a six-month-old Serbian boy with spinal muscular atrophy. The proceeds went directly toward the child's medical treatment.
- Kuwait — The legislature overturns a ban on employing expatriates older than 60. The restriction was struck down because it lacked a legal basis. The decision offered temporary relief to foreign workers, thousands of whom had been leaving Kuwait amid the government's long-running Kuwaitization programme, which seeks to increase employment opportunities for domestic workers.
- Malaysia — The highest court declares an Islamic provision banning same-sex acts unconstitutional. LGBTQ advocates described the ruling as historic, particularly amid increasing homophobic sentiment in the country. However, the decision did not legalize same-sex acts because a separate British colonial-era civil law prohibiting them remained in force.
- Costa Rica — A successful forest conservation programme earns international recognition through the Earthshot Prize. The country became one of five winners of the sustainability prize established by Prince William and Kate Middleton. Financed largely through fossil-fuel taxes, Costa Rica has paid landowners more than $500 million over 20 years to protect forests and watersheds. The programme has largely reversed national deforestation, providing an example other countries could potentially follow.
- Georgia — A supposedly futuristic parliament building becomes an expensive abandoned asset. Construction began approximately a decade earlier, with its extensive glass architecture intended to symbolize governmental transparency. However, its distance from the capital and the incoming political leadership's dislike of the project contributed to its abandonment in 2018. The government attempted to sell the building through May 2021 but failed to find a buyer.
- Oman — A $30 billion green hydrogen project aims to prepare the country for life beyond oil and gas. Approximately 85% of Oman's GDP comes from fossil fuels, which the country expects to become increasingly difficult to rely upon. The proposed facility will use wind and solar energy to produce renewable hydrogen for export. The target is full production capacity by 2038.
- Barbados — Rihanna is officially declared a national hero as the country becomes a republic. Barbados ended its symbolic relationship with the British monarchy and removed Queen Elizabeth II as head of state. Prime Minister Mia Mottley designated Rihanna a national hero, formally recognizing an artist and entrepreneur who had already served as a national ambassador. Rihanna had also recently become the world's richest female musician.
- The Bahamas — Three Cuban migrants survive 33 days on an isolated island before being rescued. Their boat capsized, apparently during an attempt to flee Cuba, leaving them stranded on an inhospitable Bahamian island. They survived on coconut water, conch shells and rats before the US Coast Guard rescued them. After medical treatment in Florida, they were transferred to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. A similar rescue involving Cuban migrants had occurred nearby only months earlier.
- Panama — A record 70,000 migrants travel through the dangerous Darién Gap. People from around the world crossed the undeveloped, densely forested and crime-ridden route connecting Colombia and Panama. The region has no formal road network, making the journey particularly dangerous. The unprecedented numbers prompted Colombian and Panamanian officials to begin regulating entry, potentially as an initial measure to make migration safer.
- Bulgaria — American soldiers accidentally enter and clear a civilian sunflower oil factory during a NATO exercise. Swift Response, a US Army-led military exercise, brought together 7,000 paratroopers from 10 NATO member countries. American soldiers mistakenly crossed outside the designated training area and entered the factory, where they cleared the premises as though conducting a military operation. The factory subsequently filed a lawsuit, and the US embassy apologised.
- Uruguay — Netflix commissions its first feature-length film shot in the country. The film, titled Togo, is a crime drama involving street-level drug trafficking and organized crime. Netflix's vice president of Latin American content described the production as an opportunity to showcase Uruguay's creative talent.
- Turkey — A mysterious metallic monolith turns out to be part of a presidential publicity exercise. The structure appeared in southwestern Turkey bearing an ancient Turkish message meaning, "Look at the sky, and you will see the moon." Only days later, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan used it as a backdrop when announcing Turkey's new space programme and 10-year vision. Its appearance was subsequently understood as a publicity gimmick rather than an unexplained phenomenon.
- Belarus — Olympic sprinter Krystsina Tsimanouskaya escapes government pressure by seeking protection at the Polish embassy. During the Tokyo Olympics, she accused her coaches of negligence, was removed from her event and faced pressure to return home. Instead, she sought refuge at the Polish embassy and received a humanitarian visa. Her case reflected the wider intimidation of Belarusian athletes, coaches and public figures who had criticised the increasingly authoritarian government.
- Russia — Moscow introduces facial-recognition payments across more than 240 metro stations. The Face Pay system allows commuters to enter stations simply by looking at a camera, without using a phone or wallet. Human rights organizations and concerned citizens questioned the privacy implications, particularly because Russian authorities have allegedly used facial-recognition technology to identify political protesters.
- Kazakhstan — An outspoken researcher documenting Uyghur imprisonment is barred from entering the country. Gene Bunin, a dual US-Russian national, founded a database tracking the incarceration of Uyghurs in western China. Kazakhstan notified him that he could no longer enter the country. The decision was presented as another indication of Kazakhstan's increasingly close alignment with Beijing and its willingness to restrict criticism of China's treatment of Uyghurs, which the United States and United Nations have characterized as genocide.
- Palau — The country announces its departure from the Pacific Islands Forum after a disputed leadership election. The organization had an informal tradition of rotating its secretary-general position among Micronesian, Polynesian and Melanesian representatives. The election of a politician from the Cook Islands broke that convention and left Palau and other smaller Micronesian states feeling excluded and politically voiceless.
- Romania — A wealthy Austrian prince kills a potentially record-sized European brown bear. Prince Emanuel von und zu Liechtenstein shot Arthur, a 17-year-old brown bear believed to be the largest in Romania and potentially the European Union. Trophy hunting of large carnivores is prohibited in Romania, but the prince had authorization to shoot a female nuisance bear troubling a farming community. Whether Arthur was killed accidentally or deliberately became the subject of an investigation.
- Montenegro — A $1 billion Chinese-built highway raises questions about public spending and debt. The road cuts through mountainous terrain and connects relatively small communities, including Matesevo, whose population is just 15. It was an early Belt and Road Initiative project constructed by Chinese crews. Montenegro's finances have become seriously strained by the cost, prompting residents to question whether the infrastructure delivers sufficient economic value.
- Brunei — Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam appoints its first female chief executive. Hjh Noriani takes leadership of the country's largest financial institution, which manages approximately $10 billion in assets and has expanded throughout Southeast Asia and the Middle East. The appointment follows the bank's decision to place three women in senior positions in 2019, signalling a gradual change in leadership within a traditionally conservative country.
- Argentina — A man discovers he cannot become a millionaire by purchasing Google's supposedly expired domain. During a brief Google service outage, 30-year-old Nicolas Kuroña investigated and believed google.com.ar had expired. He purchased the domain for approximately $2.60, imagining it might be worth millions. Google's ownership had not actually lapsed, and Kuroña ultimately lost the small amount he had spent.
- Qatar and the United Kingdom — Rolls-Royce announces a multibillion-dollar green technology partnership. The multiyear agreement will establish two campuses, one in each country, to support companies developing sustainable technologies. The project is expected to create approximately 1,000 jobs and provide infrastructure and resources for sustainability-focused startups.
- Croatia and Italy — A wine-naming dispute threatens to become a wider European trade disagreement. Croatia sought European Commission approval to trademark the name Prošek, arguing consumers could distinguish it from Italian Prosecco. Italy opposed the application because of potential consumer confusion and concerns about protecting Italian products. Prosecco has protected geographical-origin status, meaning it can only be produced in a designated Italian region.
- Chile — Commercial fishing traffic threatens an endangered population of blue whales. The waters off Chilean Patagonia are an important feeding ground for blue whales, but they also support a busy salmon-farming industry. Up to 1,000 boats a day pass through the area, resulting in several fatal collisions with whales. With the regional whale population estimated to number only in the hundreds, conservationists are seeking ways to protect the animals without eliminating the fishing industry's activities.
- Bahrain — The government plans to expand the country's landmass by 60%. The ambitious development programme includes five new cities, tourist attractions, a sports city and commercial districts. Authorities hope the additional land and infrastructure will attract billions of dollars in foreign investment.
- Saudi Arabia — The country expands its international sports investments amid accusations of sportswashing. Following the controversial takeover of Newcastle United, Saudi Arabia announced a partnership between Golf Saudi and the Asian Tour. The agreement guarantees a Saudi tournament stop and prize funding for a decade. Critics argued that these investments were intended to improve the country's international image and divert attention from its human rights record.
- Hungary — Budapest residents protest a proposed Chinese Fudan University campus. A majority of the city's population opposed the project, while Budapest's mayor described it as an example of Chinese influence-buying. Protesters renamed nearby streets Uyghur Martyrs' Road, Dalai Lama Road and Free Hong Kong Road, using the development to highlight concerns about China's political influence and human rights record.
- Slovakia — Klein Vision successfully demonstrates a prototype flying car that can transform into a road vehicle. The AirCar completed a 35-minute flight between Nitra and Bratislava airports. It was the prototype's 142nd landing, but the flight was particularly significant because the vehicle successfully converted into normal car mode within minutes. The report identified Klein Vision, Hyundai and General Motors as companies working toward practical flying-car technology.
- Portugal — New employment legislation gives remote workers additional protections. The measures prohibit employers from contacting employees outside working hours, allow parents of children under eight to work from home without requiring managerial approval, and require employers to contribute toward employees' electricity costs. The legislation responds to pandemic-driven changes in employment and aims to preserve Portugal's attractiveness to international digital nomads.
- Latvia — Ancient DNA analysis challenges the theory that plague caused western Europe's Stone Age population decline. Researchers examined the remains of a hunter-gatherer who died approximately 5,000 years ago and discovered evidence of an early plague infection. Although he was the earliest known victim associated with the theory, the particular strain he carried was relatively mild and did not spread easily. Scientists consequently began examining climate change as a potentially more important explanation for the population decline.
- Andorra and Spain — Spanish YouTubers increasingly relocate to Andorra for favourable living and business conditions. One Spanish creator described the country as the Silicon Valley of YouTube. Low taxes, relative anonymity and less restrictive pandemic lockdown policies attracted successful online personalities and created a growing creative community. The migration has helped Andorra's struggling economy while depriving Spain of some of its digital talent. Spanish media criticised the relocations as unpatriotic.
- Poland and the Czech Republic — Poland's dependence on coal creates an environmental and diplomatic dispute. Approximately 70% of Poland's electricity comes from coal, and mining companies and unions retain considerable political influence. The Czech Republic accused a large Polish strip mine near its border of drying up Czech groundwater supplies and sued Poland under European environmental legislation. The dispute generated conspiracy theories among communities dependent on the coal industry.
- Lithuania — Authorities warn citizens against using Chinese-made Xiaomi smartphones following a cybersecurity investigation. Lithuania's cybersecurity centre reported that Xiaomi devices contained censorship technology capable of tracking 449 terms, including references to democracy movements and free Tibet. The defence ministry advised citizens to discard Chinese-made phones. The findings emerged amid deteriorating relations between Lithuania and China over Taiwan.
- Cyprus — Turkey announces plans to resettle an abandoned Greek Cypriot resort town. President Erdoğan made the announcement during celebrations marking the 47th anniversary of Turkey's invasion of Cyprus. The island remains divided, with an internationally recognized government, a self-declared northern state, two British military bases and a United Nations buffer zone. The proposed resettlement of the formerly Greek Cypriot town attracted condemnation from the United States, the UN and Greek Cypriots.
- Greece — The country begins naming extreme heatwaves to improve public communication and emergency responses. Greece is particularly vulnerable to climate change and increasingly severe heatwaves. Officials recognized that establishing consistent categories and names could help communicate the danger to residents and allow authorities to respond more systematically to extreme temperatures.
- United Arab Emirates — Princess Latifa appears to have regained some freedom after years of international campaigning. The Free Latifa campaign began after Dubai's Princess Latifa was captured by her father, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, while attempting to leave the UAE. She had rarely been seen publicly for three years. An Instagram photograph showing her travelling in Iceland, accompanied by a verifiable statement that she could now travel where she wanted, appeared to signal a change in her circumstances.
- Italy — Historic vehicle manufacturer Iso prepares a comeback with electric motorcycles and golf carts. The company is being relaunched with the involvement of Ferruccio Lamborghini, from the famous Lamborghini family. Its initial products are modern electric motorcycles and golf carts, positioning the historic brand around sustainable transportation.
- Estonia — Researchers develop a buoy with googly eyes to protect seabirds from fishing nets. The floating device is designed to deter diving birds from approaching gill nets used by small-scale fishing operations. Researchers found that it reduced the number of congregating birds by approximately 25%. The proposed explanation is that birds are disturbed by the buoy's apparent eye contact and unpredictable movement.
- Malta — The Financial Action Task Force places the country on its international financial greylist. Malta's low corporate tax rates have attracted substantial foreign banking and investment, but critics argue that the financial environment also creates opportunities for money laundering and terrorist financing. Malta became the first European Union member state placed on the list. The designation could undermine its appeal to wealthy investors seeking favourable financial jurisdictions.
- Czech Republic — Billionaire Peter Kellner dies in an Alaska helicopter crash. Kellner, the country's richest person, was estimated to be worth $17.5 billion. He died while heli-skiing alongside four other passengers. His death followed several other high-profile fatal helicopter accidents involving wealthy and famous individuals, including Kobe Bryant and French billionaire Olivier Dassault.
- France and the United Kingdom — The countries resolve a post-Brexit fishing dispute before it triggers trade sanctions. France wanted Britain to issue licenses allowing smaller French fishing boats to continue operating in British waters. The British government delayed approval, citing technical problems with French applications. Tensions escalated toward threatened trade sanctions before an agreement resulted in 83 fishing licenses being issued.
- Spain — Google News returns after a six-year absence. Google had withdrawn the service because Spanish legislation required the company to pay a central fee to media organizations for using their content. A new law allows Alphabet, Google's parent company, to negotiate directly with individual publishers. More than 1,000 Spanish media organizations consequently became accessible through Google News.
- South Korea — LG abandons the smartphone market after years of declining competitiveness. Once ranked behind only Apple and Samsung in smartphone manufacturing, LG said poor product reviews and unsuccessful technical rollouts had contributed to its decision. The company will redirect resources toward connected home devices, robotics and artificial intelligence, joining Ericsson and HTC among former major mobile-phone manufacturers.
- Luxembourg — Amazon generates approximately $50 billion in European revenue while paying no corporate tax in Luxembourg. Despite its record-breaking European performance in 2020, the company declared losses at its Luxembourg headquarters and received approximately $63 million in tax credits. The arrangement was legal, but it attracted criticism from policymakers concerned that the country was failing to collect meaningful corporate taxes from businesses benefiting from its economy.
- Slovenia — Prime Minister Janez Janša faces accusations of orchestrating a conservative takeover of cultural institutions. His government replaced the leadership of the National Museum, the Museum of Contemporary History and the Moderna Galerija. It also continued terminating government leases held by arts organizations. Critics described the decisions as an organized campaign against independent culture, while Janša denied that the changes formed part of a coordinated movement.
- Liechtenstein — The country develops an unusually large casino industry relative to its population. Five casinos were already operating, giving Liechtenstein a higher number per capita than Monaco, Macau and Nevada's Clark County. Low gambling taxes and the absence of limits on casino numbers attracted foreign investors. Another five casinos were in development, suggesting further expansion.
- Japan, China and Russia — A joint Chinese-Russian naval exercise increases Japanese security concerns. Tensions had already been rising over islands controlled by Japan but claimed by Russia, alongside China's growing regional presence. The situation escalated when a 10-ship Chinese-Russian flotilla circumnavigated Japan's main island. Beijing and Moscow described the operation as a diplomatic exercise, but Japan viewed it as a potential threat requiring greater vigilance and possibly increased defence spending.
- Israel and the United States — Washington blacklists Israeli spyware manufacturer NSO Group. The American government determined that NSO's Pegasus spyware had been used by foreign governments against dissidents, journalists, diplomats and religious figures. The blacklist restricts NSO's ability to purchase components from American companies. Apple also sued NSO over its spyware activities.
- Austria — Vienna uses OnlyFans to promote historically important nude artwork. Austrian tourism officials struggled to advertise the country's museums because mainstream social media platforms restricted images containing nudity. They responded by opening an account on the adults-only platform OnlyFans, where they could promote paintings and sculptures without the same censorship restrictions. The initiative was intended to showcase works important to Austria's cultural history.
- International culture — Dictionary.com selects allyship as its 2021 Word of the Year. The term had been officially added to the dictionary in 2021 and gained popularity during worldwide Black Lives Matter movements. Its definition describes someone advocating for the inclusion of a marginalized or politicized group in solidarity, without necessarily belonging to that group.
- Canada — An exceptionally rare orange lobster escapes being eaten and becomes a public attraction. A grocery store owner noticed that the lobster, which was being bullied by other lobsters in its tank, was not attracting buyers. He purchased it and donated it to the Toronto Aquarium. There, researchers identified its unusual orange colouring as a genetic mutation estimated to occur in approximately one lobster in 30 million. Named Pinchy, it gained a permanent home.
- New Zealand — Housing reforms aim to address a severe shortage and a 30% increase in housing costs. The government proposed easing density restrictions to allow up to three three-storey homes on a single property, replacing the previous allowance of one two-storey home. Officials and analysts predicted the changes could produce between 48,000 and 106,000 additional homes over five to eight years.
- Belgium and France — A farmer accidentally moves an international border marker seven feet into France. The farmer relocated a several-hundred-pound stone without realizing that it marked the boundary between the two countries. French officials monitoring the remote border noticed the change. The farmer escaped prosecution for violating the international treaty governing the boundary, avoiding what the report jokingly described as the possibility of a territorial dispute escalating into war.
- United Kingdom — Britain expands its renewable and nuclear energy ambitions. A new tidal turbine launched off the Port of Dundee was described as the world's most powerful and capable of generating enough electricity for approximately 2,000 homes. Separately, Rolls-Royce announced plans to develop 16 smaller, cheaper nuclear power plants capable of supplying electricity to one million homes. Britain was already among the world's largest wind-energy producers.
- Singapore — Superapp Grab completes a record-breaking $39.5 billion SPAC merger. Grab combines services including ride-hailing, delivery and banking within one application. It merged with a US special purpose acquisition company, a publicly traded investment vehicle used to take private companies public through a merger. The transaction brought Grab onto the NASDAQ on December 2 and became the largest SPAC deal of its kind.
- Finland — The world's happiest country struggles to retain international graduates because of language barriers. Finland had been named the world's happiest country for the fourth consecutive year. However, research indicated that many international students left Helsinki within a year of graduating because they struggled to find employment without Finnish-language skills. The city's mayor suggested transitioning toward English as the primary language of the capital, potentially improving employment opportunities.
- Denmark — The government commits $90 million to encourage farmers to produce plant-based foods. The funding will be distributed over five years as part of efforts to reduce the environmental impact of meat consumption. Although Denmark traditionally consumes substantial quantities of pork, sales of plant-based foods had increased by approximately $8 million over two years. Denmark was leading the European Union in this particular agricultural initiative.
- The Netherlands — The government plans to reduce its livestock population by approximately one-third over 13 years. More than 100 million cattle, chickens and pigs were being raised in the country, giving it Europe's highest livestock density. The resulting manure and agricultural waste were contributing to pollution in important waterways. The multibillion-dollar programme aims to pay farmers to leave the industry, although farmers have strongly opposed the proposed reductions.
- Australia — Brisbane wins the right to host the 2032 Summer Olympics through a different selection process. Rather than relying on traditional competitive bidding between cities, which can be expensive and vulnerable to corruption, the Olympic selection process involved confidential submissions and committee evaluations. Brisbane's selection demonstrated a shift toward a less public and less competitive approach to choosing Olympic hosts.
- Sweden — Magdalena Andersson becomes the country's first female prime minister, resigns after 12 hours and returns a week later. Her initial government collapsed when the junior Green Party withdrew from the coalition, creating a political crisis. Andersson indicated she would lead a single-party Social Democratic government and was subsequently reelected. She therefore became Sweden's first female prime minister twice within a very short period.
- Germany — DNA from a decade-old sausage helps police identify a criminal, but the earlier offence cannot be prosecuted. A burglar left genetic material after biting a sausage during a 2012 break-in. Years later, following a more violent crime, investigators used an international DNA-sharing database to connect him to the earlier burglary. By then, the statute of limitations for that offence had expired, and the report says he went free.
- Iceland — The country achieves two unusual medical and environmental milestones. Iceland began operating the world's first direct-air-capture facility, designed to extract carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and turn it into rock for permanent storage. Separately, surgeons performed the world's first double arm-and-shoulder transplant on a man who had lost his limbs in a workplace accident more than 20 years earlier.
- Hong Kong — Disney+ launches, but a missing Simpsons episode highlights the reach of censorship. The streaming service launched in the Chinese territory in 2021. However, season 16, episode 12 of The Simpsons, featuring the family visiting China and Tiananmen Square, was absent from the catalogue. The omission was presented as evidence of growing censorship in Hong Kong. The report also clarified that Hong Kong was included because the UN's Human Development Index covers 189 countries and recognized territories, rather than sovereign countries alone.
- Switzerland — Voters approve same-sex marriage through the Marriage for All initiative. Approximately two-thirds of voters supported the measure, making Switzerland one of the last Western European countries to approve same-sex marriage. The decision represented a significant cultural change in a country that has historically been slow to adopt certain equality measures. Women, for example, did not receive the right to vote nationally until 1971.
- Ireland — WhatsApp receives a $270 million fine for violating European data transparency requirements. Irish authorities enforced the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation against Meta's messaging service, finding that it had failed to adequately explain how it used people's information across the company's platforms. WhatsApp contested the fine. Because many major technology companies maintain European headquarters in Ireland, where corporate tax rates are low, the enforcement action could signal further regulatory scrutiny.
- Norway — A spectacular meteor lights up the night sky before apparently landing in a forest. The object remained visible for approximately five to six seconds and was believed to have crashed into a densely wooded area roughly 40 miles west of Oslo. Some witnesses reported feeling a strong wind associated with its passage. Finding physical fragments could take years, but the event attracted the attention of thousands of people and provided a rare shared spectacle.