Europe Switzerland Supermarket chains Coop and Migros are recalling cheese products due to a possible risk of salmonella; contaminated Kräuterbrie soft cheese found at Landbrügg dairy triggered the measure and the dairy's decision to recall its entire product range
Europe Montenegro Over 1.500 weapons have been handed in so far during the weapons amnesty introduced by the government following the mass shooting on New Year's Eve; experts warn that without greater law enforcement, illegal weapons will continue to flourish
Africa Benin The High Authority for Audiovisual and Communication, Benin's media regulatory authority, suspended two newspapers and four websites at the end of January, for alleged unauthorised publication and non-compliance
America Belize Researchers have discovered that the pre-Columbian Casarabe society in Bolivia developed an advanced water system that enabled year-round maize cultivation, challenging previous theories and offering insights into sustainable agriculture in the Amazon
Europe Austria With the start of the tendering process for online casino licences, online gambling operators expect an end to the decades-long gambling monopoly and the opening of the online market
Africa Democratic Republic of the Congo The UN Secretary General appealed for peace in the country, where there have been at least 2.900 deaths and tens of thousands of displaced people in the last weeks, declaring 'it is time for mediation. It is time to end this crisis. It is time for peace'
Africa Cameroon The new next-generation biometric identity card system will be operational on 17 February, as announced by the Delegate General for National Security and Chief of the Cameroon Police Martin Mbarga Nguele
Africa Burundi Five Burundian doctors were reportedly imprisoned between 27 December and 31 January after being dismissed due to the failure of salary negotiations on charges of 'undermining internal state security'
America Chile Chile has enacted a new anti-terrorism law aimed at combating organized crime, modernizing legislation, and strengthening law enforcement tools; the measure replaces a 1984 law from the Pinochet era and was approved with broad support amid rising violence
Africa Egypt The US said it approved a possible arms sale to Cairo despite differences between the two sides over Washington's proposal to forcibly transfer Palestinians from Gaza to Egypt
America Saint Lucia Police is alerting the public to a rise in phone scams, where unknown callers make urgent demands, often using threats, deception, or intimidation; anyone targeted should report the incident immediately, even by an anonymous tip via the crime hotline 555
Africa Central African Republic According to an index of the highest money laundering risk, Central African Republic - with a score of 7,49 - ranks third in Africa and 7th place worldwide
Africa Kenya A consortium of UN agencies announced the selection of 15 innovation poles to stimulate the growth of the digital economy in Kenya, while promoting equity and inclusion
America Belize Belize has joined South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, adding to growing international legal pressure over Israel’s actions in Gaza, as global concerns mount over the humanitarian crisis