Europe Belgium Errors in the storage of fireworks at world-famous Tomorrowland festival venue are currently being investigated by the authorities in Antwerp, as can possibly be the cause of the devastating fire which gutted its main stage last month
Africa Ghana A new set of words, relating to cooking, dance, music, but also expressions of popular slang, from Ghana and Nigeria have made it into the latest edition of the Oxford Dictionary; one example is 'Ghanaian banku', a paste of fermented maize and cassava
Africa Tunisia The heart failure unit, electrophysiology unit, anaesthetists and cardiovascular surgeons at Rabta Hospital successfully performed an electroporation ablation procedure for atrial fibrillation, a world first in this field
Asia Saudi Arabia Libraries will undergo a major overhaul that will include the construction of public theatres and other cultural facilities following the launch of the Library Commission's national growth strategy in 2021
Asia Nepal The 50-year-old Tilawe River bridge in Parsa district collapsed four months ago due to a broken pillar, and repairs have yet to begin; a temporary diversion is in poor condition, raising concerns about possible disruptions during the upcoming rainy season
Europe Norway The iconic old Tryvann transmission and observation tower in the hills above Oslo, closed and neglected for decades, has finally been sold by city officials to an investor who intends to renovate it and reopen it to the public
Asia Qatar The 4th edition of Katara Oud Festival kicked off, featuring a series of professional composers from around the world, an initiative to pay homage to musical heritage and promote the Oud as integral part of Arab identity
Oceania Vanuatu The demolition and reconstruction of Malapoa College buildings, damaged in last month's earthquake, will cost over VT 2,4 billion (€ 18.813.000); severe damage was caused to 24 classrooms, 8 laboratories, two-storey dormitories and the dining hall
Asia Yemen Yemen discussed with neighboring Sultanate of Oman ways to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in the areas of agriculture, fisheries and water resources
Europe Russia Russian students celebrate a national Students’ Day on January 25; it is often referred to as Tatiana Day because it's the day of Saint Tatiana, the patron saint of students, in the Eastern Orthodox Church; the history of the feast goes back to 1755
Africa Zimbabwe Starting next week, the emergency air ambulance service will be extended to Victoria Falls, thanks to a government initiative resulting from an agreement with Russia to ensure fast and efficient access to medical care in a major tourist destination
Asia United Arab Emirates After large numbers of sea turtles have been stranded on Dubai's beaches in recent days due to high winds and low temperatures, Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Project in Jumeirah launched an appeal for help on social media
Europe Vatican City Cardinal Parolin, reaffirming that the presence of Christians in the Middle East is essential, held a meeting in Amman with papal representatives of ME nations, in which he called for a ceasefire “on every front”, and spoke to Lebanon's new president
Asia Bhutan Yak farming in Bhutan faces threats from declining populations, wildlife conflicts and rural depopulation; new Ministry’s Five-Year Plan provides for improved rangelands, breeding programs and support for highlanders to sustain this traditional livelihood