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
Asia Pakistan A major fire broke out at the Gul Plaza shopping centre in Karachi on 17 January, spreading rapidly through the multistory commercial building, which firefighters could to douse in 24 hours; at least 26 people died, 50 are missing, damage is extensive
Europe Hungary With parliamentary elections scheduled for 12 April, latest polls forecast 39% preferences for Orbán’s party, Fidesz, and 51% for the opposition led by MEP Péter Magyar; Orbán involved the global far right in a controversial video advert
Europe Norway Nobel Institute issued a statement on the controversial fact that Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado had given her gold Nobel medal to US President Donald Trump; amid international uproar, the institution said prize and winner are 'inseparable'
Europe North Macedonia Cuts to North Macedonia’s rare diseases programme have alarmed patient organisations; the state program provides therapy for 430 patients, and is set to be cut from 24 million euros to 17,5 million euros in 2026
Asia India Air India confirmed that it is in the process of returning personal belongings of the AI171 crash victims; over 22.000 items are listed, to be given back to the relatives of the 260 victims of the worst air disaster in three decades
Africa Senegal Senegal are the champions of Africa, winning the title in the most dramatic fashion imaginable: a 1-0 extra-time victory that came only after a player walk-off, a disallowed goal, and a saved penalty
Asia Jordan Over 7.000 Christian pilgrims from across the Kingdom took part in the annual pilgrimage to the Baptism Site of Jesus Christ, Al Maghtas, on the eastern bank of the Jordan River, coinciding with the Feast of the Epiphany marked by the Orthodox Church
Europe Czech Republic 935.000 legal foreign workers, 360.000 from Ukraine, were employed in the Czech Republic in 2025, +11% on 2024; despite this, firms still face a shortfall, with the Chamber of Commerce estimating a need for around 250.000 more workers
Africa eSwatini The songs for the 2026 Ingwenyama Cup Culture, combining football with Swazi heritage, will be released next week to give time to prepare for the competition as they will provide insights into the theme of the contest this year
Asia Brunei As Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah underwent knee replacement surgery, with a two to three months expected recovery period, a special Doa ceremony at Religious Teachers University College and nationwide prayers were organized for his well being
America Cuba Plans and measures 'for transitioning to a state of war' have been approved; a brief note indicates that the decision was made as part of Cuba's preparation of the mobilization of workers and civilian officials to confront a presumed US invasion
Oceania Australia Off Shark Beach, a shark attacked a boy of about 13 who was swimming in Sydney Harbour, leaving him in critical condition with serious leg injuries
Asia Iraq A middle school inside Nasiriyah Central Prison will open as part of Ministry of Justice efforts to strengthen rehabilitation and reform programs by supporting inmates’ educational pathways within a comprehensive correctional environment