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 Vatican City Cardinal Parolin, reaffirming that the presence of Christians in the Middle East is essential, held a meeting in Amman with papal representatives of ME nations, in which he called for a ceasefire “on every front”, and spoke to Lebanon's new president
Europe Norway The iconic old Tryvann transmission and observation tower in the hills above Oslo, closed and neglected for decades, has finally been sold by city officials to an investor who intends to renovate it and reopen it to the public
Oceania Vanuatu The demolition and reconstruction of Malapoa College buildings, damaged in last month's earthquake, will cost over VT 2,4 billion (€ 18.813.000); severe damage was caused to 24 classrooms, 8 laboratories, two-storey dormitories and the dining hall
Asia Qatar The 4th edition of Katara Oud Festival kicked off, featuring a series of professional composers from around the world, an initiative to pay homage to musical heritage and promote the Oud as integral part of Arab identity
Europe Russia Russian students celebrate a national Students’ Day on January 25; it is often referred to as Tatiana Day because it's the day of Saint Tatiana, the patron saint of students, in the Eastern Orthodox Church; the history of the feast goes back to 1755
Europe Slovenia The government initiated a programme of measures to reduce environmental degradation in several municipalities in the northern region of Koroška, where the situation worsened due to the 2023 floods
Asia United Arab Emirates After large numbers of sea turtles have been stranded on Dubai's beaches in recent days due to high winds and low temperatures, Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Project in Jumeirah launched an appeal for help on social media
Asia Yemen Yemen discussed with neighboring Sultanate of Oman ways to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in the areas of agriculture, fisheries and water resources
Africa Togo The Togolese government bought back the headquarters of Union Togolaise de Banque and IB Bank to help stabilise these ailing banks, which hold 20% of the assets of Togo's banking sector
Africa Democratic Republic of the Congo Amnesty International has accused both the M23 rebels in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the country's army of using explosive weapons in densely populated areas, insisting that an end must be put to this situation
Asia Syria An arrest warrant against ousted Syrian leader Bashar Assad on suspicion of complicity in war crimes has been issued by two French examining magistrates; it's the second such move ever by French judicial authorities
Asia Cyprus Citizens over the age of 18 will be able to apply for a new national electronic identity card as of 27 January; the issuance of the first 100.000 eIDs will be subsidised by the government: 30.000 of them given out for free and 70.000 available for €15
America Dominican Republic As part of the 2025 patronal festival 'La Altagracia', a 'Rice, Sea and Land' dish for over 2.000 participants has been cooked in Pedernales to set a national record and celebrate Dominican gastronomy and cultural traditions