Asia Qatar With Ramadan approaching, Qatar Foundation hosted a session of the Education City Lecture Series: Internal Conversations, with Islamic scholar Dr Omar Suleiman speaking on the meaning of fasting as spiritual reflection, social connection, personal growth
America Saint Kitts and Nevis 5 volunteers from the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps arrived in Saint Kitts and Nevis to strengthen instruction of mathematics, pure science, and other related areas; the professionals are part of a larger cohort, with other 12 teaching in the health sector
Asia China Rules regulating competition among e-commerce operators have been tightened starting 7 January 7; a series of measures enhance rigor for sales platforms following the use of practices deemed excessive to attract sellers in a context of intense competition
Europe Slovenia Rok Gašparič has become the first Slovenian to receive the Mary Anning Medal for outstanding contribution to paleontology by researches not professionally dedicated to the subject; he has been awarded for his contributions on decapod crustaceans fossils
America Bahamas Eight Bahamians received the 2026 New Year’s Day Honours by King Charles III in St James Palace in London; The Most Excellent Order of The British Empire OBE is a highly distinguished honour awarding excellence in various activities
Europe Lithuania A municipal campaign led to about 9.700 residents to declare Vilnius as their residence, adding over EUR 12,5 million to the 2026 city budget, Mayor confirmed, as the city's house prices increased by 10,8% in Q3 2025 compared to Q3 2024
Africa Sierra Leone 17.905 deaths were recorded in 2025, 306.0057 live births - female 51% males 49% - and 3.739 stillbirths: experts say the figure highlights persistent challenges in prenatal care, access to skilled birth attendants, and emergency obstetric service
Africa Burkina Faso Amid heightened political tensions, authorities say they have thwarted a new coup attempt; the alleged plot was reportedly uncovered on 3 January before it would be carried out, according to official sources that disclosed the information
Africa Gambia The Gambia Tobacco Industry Monitoring Team completed a capacity-building refreshment to strengthen surveillance and intelligence sharing of industry activities as the country intensifies safeguard of public health policies from industry interference
Europe Andorra 237.500 vehicles have entered Andorra during the Special Traffic period, running from 19 December to 6 January: 172.000 through the border with Spain and 65.500 from France, according to Andorran Mobility Department
Asia Afghanistan Doctors in Kabul advised that people use air-purifying masks when outdoors to avoid serious and harmful consequences of rising levels of air pollution, a recurrent issue in winter days
Africa Guinea Pivi, convicted of crimes against humanity for the 2009 stadium massacre, has died in custody in a Conakry hospital from complications related to diabetes; known as Coplan, he was a colonel and in charge of security under then-dictator Moussa Dadis Camara
Africa Uganda Uganda has denied plans to shut down internet access during next week’s elections, dismissing news of a scheduled blackout as unfounded; concerns were raised by opposition candidate Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine, who fears disruptions in the sharing of results
Africa Ethiopia Thousands of Orthodox Christians dressed in white celebrated Christmas Eve in Addis Ababa’s Meskel Square on 6 January with a candlelight ceremony followed by an all-night church service, as they follow the Julian calendar 13 days later than Gregorian one