Africa Cameroon In an unprecedented disruption to academic calendar, the Ministry ordered the immediate rescheduling of all remaining papers for the ongoing 2026 examination session after a severe security breach compromised confidential materials across digital networks
Asia Malaysia The Malaysian Religious Affairs Minister managed to maintain the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage cost at approximately $2.227 per first-time pilgrim, despite global rising expenses, through new cost control measures and negotiating with Saudi Arabia government
Africa Gambia The West African Economic Community ECOWAS approved the establishment of a special tribunal to try crimes committed in The Gambia during the military dictatorship of Yahya Jammeh
Africa Democratic Republic of the Congo The country has filed a complaint against Apple's subsidiaries in Belgium and France accusing them of sourcing the minerals essential for the production of devices from the many illegal mines in the country, and thus being complicit in those crimes
America Barbados Two cases of Oropouche virus, both involving adults, were officially reported; the Pan American Health Organization had recently raised concerns about the spread of Oropouche virus in the Americas, along with dengue and avian flu
Africa Uganda A Ugandan court ordered the government to compensate with USD 2.740 each victim of Thomas Kwoyelo, a commander of the Lord's Resistance Army who was sentenced to 40 years in prison for war crimes in October
Europe Serbia From 2025, public transport in Belgrade will be completely free of charge, said the mayor, Aleksandar Šapić, who called it 'the biggest public transport reform' with the aim of solving the traffic problem
Europe Ireland PM Harris says Israel's decision to close its embassy in Dublin is 'deeply regrettable' and a sign of the 'diplomacy of distraction', adding Ireland will continue to engage diplomatically, but keep affirming its position on the war in Gaza
Africa Mali The High Communications Authority has revised its initial decision to permanently close down the Joliba TV channel and, after intense negotiations and an appeal by the broadcaster, the HAC has decreed a six-month suspension
Africa Morocco The country voted for the first time in the UN assembly in favour of the moratorium on the application of the death penalty; Morocco's adherence to this moratorium had been announced on 9 December in the House of Representatives by the Minister of Justice
Asia Yemen In response to the Houthi launch of a missile towards Israel, which was intercepted by Israeli defence systems, the Israeli army carried out a series of attacks in Yemen against several Houthi-controlled areas
Africa Ivory Coast Chef Melanie Zenaib Bancé has not left the cooker since 17 December to conquer the Guinness Book of Cooking Marathon; the goal is to make 16.000 dishes from 293 menus from all regions of the country, that will be donated to needy people and hospitals
Oceania Micronesia A Memorandum of Understanding for the State of Pohnpei was signed to support the Blue Prosperity Micronesia program; the MoU initiates the development of a legally-binding Marine Spatial Plan for Pohnpei’s waters from 0–12 nautical miles
Africa Angola Angolan Hariana Verás is first African journalist to officially join the select group of correspondents recognised and accredited by the Pentagon