Europe Sweden A new species has been discovered in Swedish forests, a fungus that parasitizes lichens; it has been recognized by researchers at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Oceania Nauru Two refugees who were evacuated from Australia's Nauru detention centre before Christmas said they spent weeks in solitary confinement in a Brisbane hotel awaiting treatment
Europe Slovakia The country's Hydrometeorological Institute said in a recent analysis that extreme drought affected large parts of Slovakia during typically wet periods, causing low agricultural yields and affecting forest ecosystems
Europe Czech Republic A newly approved amendment to the Road Traffic Act brings stiffer penalties for the most serious offences, like speeding and drink driving, and young people will start driving a year earlier, from the age of 17, under the supervision of a parent
America Mexico Authorities arrested Ovidio Guzmán López, a son of Joaquín Guzmán Loera, the infamous crime lord known as El Chapo; the government claimed a victory in its efforts to combat violence during one of the most dangerous periods in its recent history
Europe United Kingdom The Church of England has apologised for past links to slavery by a related financial body, now engaged in an extensive process to compensate victim communities
Asia Turkey Leader of Turkish Medical Association and human rights activist Sebnem Korur Fincanci - jailed for 2 years and 8 months for terrorist propaganda - has been released from prison thanks to the sentence already served
Europe France Hunting will continue to be allowed on weekends in France, according to a government plan presented on Monday that has disappointed environmentalists but has yet to be approved by Parliament
Asia Malaysia Former Malaysian Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said he is considering running for the post of president of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) in the party's next elections, which are expected to be held by the middle of this year
Asia Cambodia The Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology has urged the population to use water sparingly, especially in remote rural areas far from water sources, due to the decrease in rainfall expected this year
Africa Somalia The media association was met by the Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism in his office to discuss cooperation; he stressed the role of the national and associations media in keeping the awareness of the people at a high level
Africa Angola To speed up the fight against plastic waste, President Lourenço set up a working group to draw up a national plan to ban plastics
Africa South Africa Mermaiding, swimming with legs wrapped in a monofin, is all the rage in South Africa, with the sport becoming very popular between Johannesburg and Cape Town
Africa Ethiopia Ethio Telecom has restored telephone services in 27 towns and cities in Tigray that had been interrupted due to the civil war; the actions have been made possible by the peace agreement signed in November