Asia Tajikistan An amnesty law signed by President Rahmon to celebrate 35 years of independence will cover 18.038 convicted people, with full release for 11.305 people, reduced terms for 6.733; of 507 women, 248 will be released, of 134 minors, 99 will be freed
Asia China Rules regulating competition among e-commerce operators have been tightened starting 7 January 7; a series of measures enhance rigor for sales platforms following the use of practices deemed excessive to attract sellers in a context of intense competition
Europe Estonia As ice edge in Pärnu Bay lies about two nautical miles from the breakwaters, 10 centimeters thick, icebreaking activities have started to guarantee the smooth transit of ships while cold weather is forecasted to continue
Asia Laos Funding to restore degraded forests in Xe Bang Nouan National Protected Area was approved by ADB; The project will reforest damaged land, improve watershed management and support local communities with sustainable forestry, climate-resilient activities
Europe Serbia Criminal proceedings against former Serbian Construction Minister over the Novi Sad railway station disaster have been dropped due to a lack of evidence; the collapse of the newly inaugurated structure triggered mass protest staged throughout 2025
Europe Lithuania A municipal campaign led to about 9.700 residents to declare Vilnius as their residence, adding over EUR 12,5 million to the 2026 city budget, Mayor confirmed, as the city's house prices increased by 10,8% in Q3 2025 compared to Q3 2024
Oceania Tonga Tonga's Prime Minister, Lord Fakafanua, has announced an 11 member Cabinet on 5 January 2026 after the appointments were made by King Tupou VI as stipulated by the Constitution
America Saint Kitts and Nevis 5 volunteers from the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps arrived in Saint Kitts and Nevis to strengthen instruction of mathematics, pure science, and other related areas; the professionals are part of a larger cohort, with other 12 teaching in the health sector
Europe Andorra 237.500 vehicles have entered Andorra during the Special Traffic period, running from 19 December to 6 January: 172.000 through the border with Spain and 65.500 from France, according to Andorran Mobility Department
Africa Guinea Pivi, convicted of crimes against humanity for the 2009 stadium massacre, has died in custody in a Conakry hospital from complications related to diabetes; known as Coplan, he was a colonel and in charge of security under then-dictator Moussa Dadis Camara
Asia Afghanistan Doctors in Kabul advised that people use air-purifying masks when outdoors to avoid serious and harmful consequences of rising levels of air pollution, a recurrent issue in winter days
Africa Sierra Leone 17.905 deaths were recorded in 2025, 306.0057 live births - female 51% males 49% - and 3.739 stillbirths: experts say the figure highlights persistent challenges in prenatal care, access to skilled birth attendants, and emergency obstetric service
Africa Burkina Faso Amid heightened political tensions, authorities say they have thwarted a new coup attempt; the alleged plot was reportedly uncovered on 3 January before it would be carried out, according to official sources that disclosed the information
Africa Gambia The Gambia Tobacco Industry Monitoring Team completed a capacity-building refreshment to strengthen surveillance and intelligence sharing of industry activities as the country intensifies safeguard of public health policies from industry interference