Asia Bangladesh Recent studies demonstrated that microplastics are present in water, sediments, fish, salt, soft drinks, milk, edible oil and more products in Bangladesh, underscoring the growing concern that these pollutants are transferred to humans through food
Africa Ivory Coast The trial of 45 people charged in connection with a 2020 attack on a military checkpoint resumed in Ivory Coast's Anti-Terrorism Court; 14 soldiers were killed at Kafolo, bordering Burkina Faso, weeks after security forces destroyed a jihadist base in BF
Europe Netherlands Over 2.500 flight have been cancelled - nearly 600 yesterday - and 70% of scheduled flights could be cancelled today, Eurocontrol said, as de-icing operations at Schiphol Airport are affected by consecutive days of winter weather and slow supply of liquid
Africa Morocco Tourism sector peaked in 2025 as Morocco welcomed 19,8 million tourists, +14% on 2024 according to official figures; tourism is worth around 7% of GDP, supports thousands of jobs, generates crucial income in foreign currency and contributes to stability
Europe Czech Republic Over 40 swimmers, three of them wearing a crown, took part in Prague's traditional Three Kings Swim: boats carried participants to the centre of the Vltava River for a swim back to the shore, with water around 2°C and air temperatures falling to -5°C
America Cuba Work in 2025 was characterized by precariousness, informality and loss of purchasing power according to ASIC, the Cuban Association of Construction Companies, in a labor framework that lacks both basic international standards and signs of improvement
Africa Tunisia Former director of French NGO Terre d’Asile and several colleagues, imprisoned for over 20 months for “facilitating illegal entry and residence” of migrants, have been released; lawyers of the detainees argue they joined a government approved programme
Europe Latvia The wedge clam, or Atlantic rangia has been named the mollusc of the year 2026; the choice of a non-native species aims to drawing attention to alien and invasive species in the Baltic Sea, according to the Latvian Malacological Society
Africa Ethiopia Thousands of Orthodox Christians dressed in white celebrated Christmas Eve in Addis Ababa’s Meskel Square on 6 January with a candlelight ceremony followed by an all-night church service, as they follow the Julian calendar 13 days later than Gregorian one
Africa Angola Newly completed Wastewater Treatment Plant in Sumbe, Lunda-Sul province, benefits over 40.000 residents with 95 kilometers of distribution network, 4.289 household connections, and 63 public fountains
Asia India The 2nd world laboratory for testing and calibration of air pollution measuring equipment was inaugurated in India to curb dependance on foreign certification systems, promote environmental governance and foster local production of monitoring equipment
America Antigua and Barbuda Following news articles about Antigua Airways, the airline’s MD issued a press statement clarifying that promoting Africa-Caribbean links responds to cultural ties and new economic needs, citing Nigeria, that has become a key business and trade partner
Europe Ukraine Another 26 motor vehicles seized from drunk drivers and other criminal offenders in Latvia will be received free of charge, destined to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, medical institutions, local municipalities and organizations supporting Ukrainian society
Asia Oman School performance evaluation results for the first semester of year 2025/2026 will be announced today; the evaluation process began in September 2025, covering 58 public and private schools