Asia China 10 United States-based companies have been added to China's export control list, government procurement barred from 50 US companies two weeks after the Pentagon blacklisted some of China’s best-known companies for alleged ties to the Chinese military
Europe Lithuania Lithuania's partners expressed doubts about withdrawing from the Ottawa Convention banning anti-personnel mines, as Ministry of Defence has called for Lithuania's withdrawal and the start of consultations with its allies and the Baltic Sea countries
Asia South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol, indicted on insurrection charges following his 2024 martial law declaration, would face life imprisonment or death penalty if convicted; Yoon, currently detained, argues the martial law was a warning to resolve political deadlock
Asia Turkmenistan A three-day seminar on securities market development was held for specialists from the Ministry of Finance and Economy of Turkmenistan and the Ashgabat Stock Exchange within the framework of the joint UN Development Programme project
Oceania New Zealand The first known major outbreak of avian botulism in Otago region led to the deaths of about 1000 waterfowl at the Waikouaiti wastewater treatment plant and has been followed by another suspected outbreak in Timaru
America Brazil Government condemned the US for deporting 88 Brazilians in handcuffs on a flight lacking water and AC, calling it a "flagrant disregard" for human rights, and demanded an explanation from the Trump administration
Europe Germany Elon Musk made a surprise video call appearance at an Alternative für Deutschland general election campaign event; he publicly declared his support for the far-right political group for the second time in two weeks
Africa Eritrea The Arberobu dam was inaugurated; with a capacity of over 120.000 cubic metres, it was built in cooperation between the Ministry of Agriculture and other entities, including members of the Defense Forces, with an investment of 5 million Nakfa (€317.000)
Europe Latvia There are 1.562 safe bomb shelters in the country according to latest survey of the State Fire and Rescue Service; Riga accounts for about 400 and they could accommodate about 200.000 people, or one third of the city's population
Europe United Kingdom Fraudsters who fail to repay their debts of over £1.000 could be stripped of their driving licences and punished with a driving ban of up to two years, under government plans to crack down on fraud
Oceania Kiribati President Taneti Maamau extended warmest greetings and best wishes of happy holidays to the Chinese people in view of the Spring Festival, or Lunar New Year
Asia Kyrgyzstan Askar Akayev, former president of Kyrgyzstan and now professor at Moscow State University was awarded the title of Honoured Scientist of Russia by Vladimir Putin
Africa Madagascar The National Days of Reflection on Agricultural Transformation to revolutionise the agricultural sector and ensure food sovereignty have begun at the Ivato International Conference Centre
Africa Central African Republic A 177.95-carat diamond was found in the municipality of Nzako; one of the largest diamonds ever found in the country, translucent, is still rough and is being evaluated by Becdor, the Diamond and Gold Evaluation and Control Office