Africa Sierra Leone Sierra Leoneans express tolerant attitudes toward different religion (93%), ethnicity (93%), affiliation (87%), nationality (92%), refugees (79%) and say governments should promote regional and ethnic balance in political appointments, Afrobarometer shows
Asia Tajikistan Ten children from Tajikistan were sent to China for surgery to treat congenital heart defects and five of them have already been operated on, has an official source from the Chinese Embassy in Dushanbe
America Colombia Colombia has suspended peace talks with the ELN guerrilla group after violent clashes in Catatumbo, citing war crimes and lack of commitment to peace, marking the second suspension since talks began in 2022
Asia United Arab Emirates The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security urged citizens and residents to take advantage of the benefits offered by the Friend or Relative Visa service, which allows lengths of stay of up to 90 days
America Guyana Guyana plans to ask the UN’s top court to intervene against Venezuela’s plan to elect a governor for the disputed Essequibo region, citing violations of a 2022 agreement, as the two nations continue their long-standing territorial dispute
America Guatemala A three-phase program to support returning migrants, has been announced by President Bernardo Arévalo; it focuses on consular assistance, dignified reception with temporary shelters, and reintegration
Africa Sao Tome and Principe Removed from his position on 6 January, former PM Trovoada has chosen to challenge the legality of his dismissal in court; President Carlos Vila Nova had dismissed the government citing its inability to address the country’s issues and absences of the PM
America Brazil Brazil’s Supreme Court has denied former president Jair Bolsonaro’s request to travel to Donald Trump’s inauguration, ruling that he remains a flight risk due to ongoing investigations into his alleged coup and other charges
Oceania New Zealand According to AirlineRatings.com, the safest airline for 2025 is Air New Zealand, which also won in 2024 and 2022, with an outstanding safety record, with no serious accidents or crashes in the modern jet age
America Costa Rica Costa Rica could introduce 12-hour work shifts for 4 days, followed by 3 days off, under the plan currently under review by the Legislative Assembly
Europe Ukraine President Zelensky and UK Prime Minister Starmer signed a landmark agreement on a 100-year partnership to deepen security ties and strengthen partnership for future generations; meeting in Kiev, they went across defence and non-military areas
Africa Senegal The Higher Education Autonomous Union has announced that it will file a strike notice demanding that authorities fulfil their commitments to pay half of the deceased teachers' survivor's pension to widows and widowers
Africa Togo Togo's Agricultural Transformation Agency launched a recruitment campaign for 55 new agents, including managers, technicians, engineers and drivers; ATA has supported over 6.000 farmers in its first two years, implementing pilot programmes in 60 cantons
Africa Somalia Qatar Charity signed a strategic partnership agreement with the Ministry of Health in Galmudug State, Somalia, to establish and equip four new health centres in the region