Africa Malawi Taxes on the importation of electric and hybrid vehicles has been removed in a government move aimed at accelerating the adoption of fuel-efficient transport as global fuel prices continue to rise
Oceania Tuvalu Eight Tuvalu caregivers employed on four-year contracts at an aged care facility in Pottsville, Australia, were informed their job was cut with immediate effect, forced to leave in 48 hours; Townsville took the fleeing group in and integrated their visas
Asia Vietnam Long-term strategic goals for national development have been set at 14th National Party Congress, approving key political and economic orientations, and electing a new Central Committee; Tô Lâm was reconfirmed as General Secretary, a signal of stability
Asia Malaysia Education reform proposed by majority party Pakatan Harapan aims to modernise curricula and assessments; Children’s Committee, a parliamentary shadow body monitoring child welfare, urges safeguards for children’s rights, equity, inclusion and well-being
Europe Kosovo 109 suspects of vote-tampering were held by police as part of a major operation in Prizren municipality related to allegations of fraud in the December 28 parliamentary elections
Africa Togo A comedy training school opened in Aného; named “L’École du rire à Aného”, it is the first one in Togo and will offer courses in creative development, comedy techniques, stage practice and career training for comedians
Africa Angola Automotive factory Opaia Motors, with the capacity to deliver 1.500 buses and 22.000 cars a year, was inaugurated in the Special Economic Zone in Icolo and Bengo province; long-term manufacturing capacity will strengthen national mobility and create jobs
Europe Finland New national digital guidelines set stricter limits on children’s use of smartphones, social media and screens during free time: authorizes smartphones and all social media use for children above 13, calling for no screen time at all for those under two
Oceania Samoa Samoan-Australian tennis star Destanee Aiava has called out “disgusting” and “disrespectful” online abuse after being targeted by trolls following a heartbreaking loss in Australian Open qualifying
America Barbados With voters' registration closing on 26 january, PM Mia Mottley called on Barbadians to ensure they are enlisted to vote ahead of the general election on 11 February, while also seeking the public’s mandate for another term in office
Africa Eritrea A seven-kilometer dirt road connecting Halhale, Emni-Tselim and Abune Butsu’amlak in the Dubarwa Sub-Zone was inaugurated on 20 January, constructed by Project Adi-Halo with the residents of the area and will help ensure social welfare in remote areas
Africa Egypt 2026 promises to be another year of record tourism revenues, with Russian travelers forecast to grow by 50%, being Egypt is the most sought-after outbound destination, and new Air Egypt schedules linking UK with 31 flights per week
America Argentina Argentina has recorded its largest annual energy trade surplus in at least 33 years, driven by record oil and gas exports from the Vaca Muerta shale formation amid President Milei’s push to deregulate and attract foreign investment
Asia Nepal Nepali Congress has declared Gagan Thapa as its Prime Minister candidate, signalling a generational shift within the party; The decision aims to project reformist leadership ahead of upcoming political contests and strengthen the party’s national appeal