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
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 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 Uganda President Museveni, 81, once a critic of rulers clinging to power, has won a 7th term in office in contested polls; opposition candidate Bobi Wine decried results but said he will not take them to court, calling for a 'peaceful change' in Uganda
Europe Switzerland Following the Crans-Montana tragedy, the media coverage, its political relevance, the Swiss have decided to keep a low profile, cancelling some of the events and parties scheduled alongside the Winter Olympics at House of Switzerland in Milan and Cortina
Oceania Papua New Guinea 40 luxury Maserati cars, controversially brought to PNG for the APEC Leaders' Summit in 2018, are lying in a shed, uninsured, losing value and exposing the State to risk of loss for fire or theft; a new physical assessment of their condition is due soon
Africa Rwanda Access Bank Rwanda employees are leading a series of community initiatives, delivering healthcare, education, social support through the bank’s Employee Volunteering Program which empowers staff to identify and implement projects aligned with local needs
Europe Sweden One of the largest solar storms in 20 years took place yesterday, making the northern lights visible on Earth further south than usual; reports and spectacular photos have been posted from the Gothenburg archipelago and southern Skåne
Africa Cameroon Soccer team Indomitable Lions are excited for the upcoming intercontinental challenge at the expanded FIFA Series 2026; while the world's eyes turn to the 2026 World Cup, the March event is a unique stage for cross-continental friendlies
Asia Turkmenistan Elderly citizens and benefit recipients at the beginning of the year endure hours in line at social security offices to prove they are still alive; this biennial formality is felt as an ordeal, adding discontent to government’s refusal to adjust payments
Africa Zimbabwe A hotline has been launched for road defects, ranging from invading vegetation to potholes, with calls directly reaching provincial road engineers; the move aims to prompt a practical and effective response as the condition of roads is deteriorating
Asia India Air India confirmed that it is in the process of returning personal belongings of the AI171 crash victims; over 22.000 items are listed, to be given back to the relatives of the 260 victims of the worst air disaster in three decades
Asia Pakistan A major fire broke out at the Gul Plaza shopping centre in Karachi on 17 January, spreading rapidly through the multistory commercial building, which firefighters could to douse in 24 hours; at least 26 people died, 50 are missing, damage is extensive