Asia South Korea Former President Yoon Suk Yeol was sentenced to life in prison, charged with leading an insurrection as he imposed martial law for a few tumultuous hours on 3 December 2024; some argue it is a sign of a healthy democracy
Europe Austria A supplementary protocol on bilateral border-co-operation was signed with Hungary; the text aligns with the post-pandemic Schengen Borders Code: joint patrols can be deployed on either side carrying out identity checks up to 10 km beyond the actual border
Asia Azerbaijan Azerbaijan’s Media Development Agency urged Meta to remove "a fabricated statement that does not reflect reality, created using deepfake technology and falsely attributed to the President"
Africa Central African Republic On 19 January the National Authority for Elections of the Central African Republic published the official results of the elections held on 28 December 2025: incumbent President Faustin-Archange Touadéra won a third term with 77,9% of the vote
Africa Cape Verde Ahead of Municipal Day, marked on 22 January, the city councillor of São Vicente announced plans to start a set of “structural works” including asphalt paving, stormwater drainage and the desilting of channels and dikes
Asia Kuwait Temperatures plunged below zero degrees Celsius in Salmi near the Saudi border and Boubyan Island, with the real feel at Salmi was -8°C Celsius as Kuwait experiences an especially cold spell in desert areas caused by northwesterly winds
Asia Qatar Qatar condemned the initiation of demolitions in the complex of the UNRWA in occupied Jerusalem, operated by the Israeli occupation authorities; the official note reads it is a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law
Europe United Kingdom New BBC strategic partnership with video platform YouTube will showcase “the best homegrown storytelling and news from across” the British broadcaster; BBC will “expand” its activities on YouTube, including tailor-made content for younger audiences
Europe France La Clef, a legendary arthouse cinema in Paris's Latin Quarter, reopened after years of closure a sit-in of its employees and a fundraising involving top directors; a collective of its supporters now runs it on a voluntary basis, with admission by donation
Oceania Solomon Islands Addressing road safety, traffic authorities are enforcing long-standing road transport laws largely unimplemented for years, ordering drivers to comply and remove illegal under-glow and non-standard LED lights from motor vehicles and trailers
Europe Poland Łódź has been ranked the fourth most congested city in the world, with commuters using an average of 135 hours in rush-hour gridlock in 2025; fatalities fell by nearly 13% even as traffic volumes remained high and traffic conditions in many major Polish
Asia China China’s drug and medical device industry is projected to grow by 50% by 2023, with revenue forecast to exceed US$2,1 trillion; a new engine of economic growth, it would be driven by an aging population and global expansion
Asia Kazakhstan A controversial set of amendments into law banning “LGBT propaganda” has been signed; Kazakh and international rights activists say it will institutionalize discrimination against LGBT people and give authorities an additional tool to curb free speech
Africa South Africa The chief of staff of the Department of Social Development, appointed - underqualified - at the age of 22, resigned without facing disciplinary hearing