News published on Globe Banner in December 2025

News from December 2025


U.S. Embassy warns Americans of possible disruptions from Portugal’s nationwide strike December 11

The U.S. Embassy in Lisbon has notified American citizens about a nationwide strike scheduled for December 11 in Portugal.


U.S. Embassy Tunis invites applications for summer 2026 educator exchange program

The U.S. Embassy in Tunis has announced the opening of applications for the 2026 Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSI) program for secondary school educators.


Standard Chartered Foundation partners with UNICEF GenU for jobs initiative targeting young women

The Standard Chartered Foundation and UNICEF’s Generation Unlimited (GenU) have announced a new partnership aimed at helping 1,500 young women in Kenya and Nigeria secure jobs over the next three years.


World Bank Group appoints Juan Diego Alonso as representative for Equatorial Guinea

The World Bank Group has named Juan Diego Alonso as its new Resident Representative for Equatorial Guinea.


University of Cambridge appoints Roland Sinker CBE for inclusive innovation roadmap

Roland Sinker CBE, CEO of Cambridge University Hospitals, has been appointed to lead a review on how the University of Cambridge can deliver inclusive innovation and growth.


U.S. Embassy in Bolivia advises eligible adults to renew passports by mail

U.S. citizens in Bolivia seeking to renew their 10-year validity adult passports are encouraged by the U.S. Embassy in La Paz and the Consular Agency in Santa Cruz to use courier mail for the renewal process if they meet certain criteria.


World Bank supports South Asian countries’ efforts against severe regional air pollution

South Asia continues to struggle with some of the world's highest levels of air pollution, particularly in the Indo-Gangetic Plains and Himalayan Foothills.


United States voices opposition to SDGs integration at reconvened CND/CCPCJ sessions

The United States delivered a statement at the reconvened 68th Session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) and the 34th Session of the UN Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ) in Vienna, Austria, on December 4, 2025.


U.S. Embassy in Guinea seeks bids for vehicle maintenance agreement

The U.S. Embassy in Conakry, Guinea, has announced a request for quotations to establish a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) for preventive maintenance services on vehicles operated by the U.S. Department of State.


USS Tripoli and USS Robert Smalls make port call in Da Nang amid deepening US-Vietnam ties

Two U.S. Navy ships, the USS Robert Smalls (CG 62) and the USS Tripoli (LHA 7), arrived in Da Nang, Vietnam on December 8 as part of routine operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area.


U.S. Embassy in Bolivia issues guidance on obtaining emergency passports in La Paz

Emergency United States passports are available in La Paz for applicants who need to travel urgently and cannot wait for a regular passport.


U.S. Embassy in Bolivia offers emergency passport replacement by courier

U.S. citizens in Bolivia who received an emergency passport can now apply for a full-validity replacement passport without an in-person appointment, according to the U.S. Embassy in La Paz.


Digital training helps Algerian women entrepreneurs expand businesses through World Bank-backed project

In Algiers, Amina, a local artisan, prepares shipments of her handmade soaps for delivery across Algeria and abroad.


Japan issues tsunami warnings after magnitude 7.6 earthquake near Aomori

A magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck off the east coast of Aomori Prefecture in Japan on December 8, 2025.


World Bank Group advances goal of reaching 1.5 billion with affordable health services

Stronger health systems are seen as vital not only for saving lives but also for creating jobs and supporting economic growth.


World Bank review urges bold reforms amid Malawi's ongoing fiscal crisis

Malawi is facing a significant macro-fiscal crisis characterized by high fiscal deficits, unsustainable debt levels, and sluggish economic growth.


Siemens and nVent collaborate on modular architecture for NVIDIA-based AI data centers

Siemens and nVent have announced a collaboration to develop a joint reference architecture for artificial intelligence (AI) data centers, designed specifically to support NVIDIA AI infrastructure.


UK card spending falls sharply in November despite Black Friday surge

Consumer card spending in the UK declined by 1.1 percent year-on-year in November, marking the largest drop since February 2021, according to data from Barclays.


U.S.-Serbia relations discussed by Chargé d’Affaires Titolo at World 2026 conference

U.S. Embassy Belgrade Chargé d’Affaires Alexander Titolo addressed the “World 2026” conference at the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, focusing on the future of relations between the United States and Serbia.


WEIDE Fund selects 34 women-led businesses for support in Dominican Republic

The WEIDE Fund has announced the selection of 34 women-led micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the Dominican Republic as beneficiaries.