Holidays in December 2024 offer a mix of global and regional observances, including Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year's Eve. These holidays provide an opportunity for rest and celebration, with many businesses, banks, and services closing or operating on reduced hours. Bank holidays in December 2024 also affect public services and retail operations.

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, November 29th

Torrential rains and subsequent flooding have damaged rice crops across an area of 64,000 hectares

Leonid Slutsky noted that the current and previous leadership of Finland has been and remains engaged «on the lower turn of the sine wave, which is now marked by a sharp cooling of bilateral relations»

«Everything here is much deeper than a decision to send a peacekeeper mission,» Dmitry Peskov said

Mikhail Galuzin stressed that the '3+3' regional cooperation platform is important for harmonizing the interests of all countries of the region

17 people were taken to hospital following a chain collision on the BKE towards Woodlands Checkpoint on Friday (Nov 29) morning. A clip posted to Facebook page Both Checkpoint on Friday shows several stationary vehicles including a Malaysia factory bus, several cars and lorries, on the third and fourth lanes. Another minute-long video shows the shattered front windscreen of the blue factory bus. Debris such as a licence plate are scattered across the expressway. The windscreen of a sliver lorry is similarly damaged, with the vehicle's front and rear ends dented and goods spilling out of the lorry. The video then pans to show a white Singapore-registered car on the left-most lane, with its right side and rear end crumpled from the collision. A person is seen in the driver's seat.

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Shirsat stated that if Eknath Shinde does not accept the deputy CM post, another party leader will take it. Discussions continue regarding the Maharashtra CM post. Shinde affirmed there are no obstacles for the CM post and will accept any decision by PM Modi. BJP and Shiv Sena will soon finalize the decision collectively.

With Republicans controlling Congress, the Supreme Court could emerge as a strong potential check on President-elect Donald Trump’s boundary-testing agenda.

The Supreme Court has instructed the Shahi Idgah Masjid's management committee in Sambhal to raise their concerns about the trial court's survey order with the high court. The top court has suspended the trial court's directive until further notice, emphasizing the need to maintain peace and harmony.

Parliament has been adjourned for the fifth day amid opposition protests over the Adani indictment, Manipur's situation, and Sambhal violence. Both Houses faced disruptions, and the government is criticized for inactivity. Frequent adjournments have marked the winter session. The opposition demands discussions on allegations and current violence. Ministers managed limited participation amid the uproar.

Rajya Sabha chairperson Jagdeep Dhankhar criticized opposition MPs for continuous disruptions over Adani group allegations and other issues, accusing them of «weaponising» Rule 267. He expressed deep anguish over the loss of productive time and leaving the House as a «laughing stock». Congress and others persisted, leading to the House's adjournment within 15 minutes.

Congress raises concerns over inconsistencies in Maharashtra's election data, citing arbitrary voter deletions, unexplained voter additions, and unusual surges in voter turnout. They request an in-person hearing with the Election Commission. BJP-led Mahayuti wins 230 out of 288 seats, while Congress secures only 16 seats.

The majority of UK shoppers will stay at home with £1.92billion of today's total to be spent online, up 3 per cent on last year. Offline sales will rise 10 per cent to £1.26billion - giving a £3.18billion total.

The Seychelles Hospital celebrates its centennial anniversary and to commemorate the event a commemorative plaque was unveiled by President Wavel Ramkalawan and the Health Minister, Peggy Vidot, on Thursday. Ramkalawan said, «It is fitting that while we are celebrating the centennial year, we have taken the decision to build a new hospital that will take us to the next hundred years.» During the ceremony held at the Seychelles Hospital in the central Mahe district of Mont Fleuri, the past, present and future health workers of health workers were celebrated. The Seychelles Hospital - previously known as Victoria Hospital - was opened on Sunday, November 30, 1924, by British Governor Joseph Aloysius Byrne and the chief medical officer John Thomas Bradley, during the time that Seychelles was a British colony. «We are not only celebrating a milestone but also a century of resilience, a century of care, and a century of unwavering determination and dedication,» said Vidot. She added that this was also an homage to all those who have worked at the institution since its opening. In addition to the plaque, a monument designed by the current head of the Health Care Agency, Dr Danny Louange, was also unveiled. Christened «Santenn» or which is hundreds in Creole, the monument is one that symbolises care, protection and the nurturing role health workers play. Meanwhile, an update on the progress being made to build a new hospital for the small island state was given. Ramkalawan said that SCR 661 million ($49 million)has been raised and this has been included in next year's budget. He also said that the technical committee is still examining whether the present site is the one where they build the new hospital, while they also look at other alternatives. «Very soon these alternatives will be put to the people of Seychelles to see a place that will not be squeezed,» he added. He explained that the current location is crowded, which is why the plans will take into account the needs of the people «and where we need to expand we will be able to do so.» Since the exact location of the new hospital is yet to be determined, Ramkalawan and Vidot also unveiled the cornerstone that will be included in the new one. An exhibition showing the history of the Hospital was also opened yesterday under the Red Roof building's verandah. It will remain open for viewing until Saturday.

This briefing has been prepared for the public hearing with the Chair of the Single Resolution Board (SRB), Dominique Laboureix on 4 December 2024. Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

Around 100 million people in the EU– or 1 in 4 adults – have some form of disability. Addressing both fiscal support and public service accessibility for people with disabilities is crucial for a more inclusive and equitable tax system across the EU. On 3 December 2024, the European Parliament's Subcommittee on Tax Matters (FISC) will host a public hearing on this topic as part of the European Parliament's Disability Rights Week. Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

In the run-up to this year's European Gender Equality Week (9 to 13 December), the European Parliament's Committee on Culture and Education – also responsible for sport policy – is hosting an exchange of views on 3 December with the Council of the EU and the European Commission on preventing and addressing discrimination and gender-based violence in sport. The event will be followed by the screening of one of the films nominated for this year's Lux Audience Award – Julie Keeps Quiet – a film that touches on these very issues. Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

Holly Willoughby looked sensational as she showed off her incredible figure for her glamorous television comeback. 

Temperatures will reach 14C (57F) in the South East tomorrow, making the UK warmer than Rome and Nice (both 13C/55F) and on a par with Corfu and Madrid.

The moment Gregg Wallace refused to eat Penny Lancaster's raw tartar sauce has re-emerged after her husband Rod Steward dubbed him a 'tubby bully'. 

Black Friday has officially begun with queues of Brits already lining up outside of shops to grab themselves a Christmas bargain.

MAILONLINE BLOG: Follow the latest updates from Parliament as MPs debate the assisted dying bill before a vote on whether should the legislation should press forward.

No Kwang Chol expressed confidence that the official visit of the Russian Defense Minister to North Korea «marks a key moment in the exchange of valuable and constructive proposals, contributing to strengthening the defense and security capabilities of both countries and fostering friendship, cooperation, and development between their armies»

Over the past 24 hours, the Ukrainian army fired 44 munitions and launched four drones on the Graivoronsky district and attacked the Krasnoyaruzhsky district with 14 munitions and 10 drones, damaging two private homes, two cars, an infrastructure site and a social facility, Vyacheslav Gladkov specified

Moscow and Tokyo have been negotiating a peace treaty to mark the end of World War II since the mid-20th century

Mao Ning also stated that she was not aware of the details of Belousov's visit and reiterated that China's position on the Ukrainian crisis remains consistent

A total of 51% of those polled said they approved of the Russian government’s handling of the country (a 7% decrease), while 57% approved of Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin’s performance (a 4% decrease)

The House of Commons votes on Friday on whether the state should give some of its citizens the right to kill themselves - and actively participate in their deaths.

Mogadishu (HOL) — Tensions have boiled over on the volatile border between Somalia’s Hiiraan and Middle Shabelle regions, as rival clan militias mobilize for what many fear could be another bloody confrontation. Armed groups from the Hawadle and Abgaal clans have entrenched themselves near the village of Halfooleey.

Mogadishu (HOL) — Safaricom has extended its M-Pesa Global service to Ethiopia, enabling mobile money transfers between Kenya and its East African neighbour.

Mogadishu (HOL) — The resignation of a senior advisor in Somalia's Prime Minister's Office has exposed deepening fissures in the country's fragile federal system, with allegations of injustice, abuse of power, and systemic discrimination raising new questions about Mogadishu's governance.

Mogadishu (HOL) — Somalia is turning to Germany for assistance in transforming its immigration systems, a crucial step in the East African nation’s broader journey toward recovery and modernization. During a working visit to Berlin, Ahmed Said Mohamed, Director General of Somalia’s Immigration and Citizenship Agency (ICA), met with senior German officials to discuss training programs, visa facilitation, and developing advanced immigration technologies.