Asia Nepal New members of Nepal’s National Assembly were sworn in following upper-house elections, where the Balendra Shah’s reformist Rastriya Swatantra Party won by a landslide, reshaping Nepal’s political landscape
Africa Sudan Sudan army leadership has reportedly begun consultations to form a transitional legislative council, thus ending a long-standing constitutional vacuum; the initiative is taken in a complex political and military landscape amid a four-year civil war
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
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
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
Europe Ukraine 80% of Ukraine faces emergency power cuts following Russia's overnight aerial attack, focused on Kyiv; many chose to stay in the city and are keeping up with previous activities resisting cold and lack of power and heating
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 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
America United States Hundreds of shops in Minnesota went on strike putting up "closed" signs, students and workers stayed home, thousands flooded the streets in the most widespread protest since ICE arrived in Minneapolis, demanding federal immigration agents leave the city
Africa Zambia Response to illegal gold mining has come back under public attention following remarks of an Army Commander whose language suggested a hard-line posture, intensifying scrutiny over the role of the military in domestic security operations
Asia Philippines The first natural gas discovery in over a decade in the Philippines has been announced, an offshore field with an estimated 98 billion cubic feet of gas; Officials say it could boost energy security and support a transition away from coal
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
Asia Singapore A fake bomb threat circulated online claiming an attack on Paya Lebar Air Base is being investigated; Ministry of Defence said no threat was found, the post specified time, locations and commanders, raising concerns over public alarm and security breaches