Oceania Solomon Islands With newly improved roads in Auki, provincial police appealed to drivers in Malaita to use responsibility and greater care in driving; reckless driving had reportedly increased since works began, forcing to monitor underage drivers and speeding vehicles
Africa Madagascar 800 turtles, probably intended for clandestine export, were seized in Majunga, in the north-west of the country; the seized turtles belong to the endemic Madagascar star tortoise species, which is protected and classified as critically endangered
Asia Syria Ahmed al Sharaa, the leader of the insurgents who overthrew the regime of Bashar al Assad, said it could take up to four years to carry out a full population census before new elections are held in the country
Africa Senegal The Senegalese government announced the adoption of specific criteria for the allocation of funds to support former prisoners and other victims of demonstrations between 1 February 2021 and 25 February 2024
Asia Cyprus In an optimistic New Year’s address, President Christodoulides said there are reasons for hope in 2025; meanwhile, the Cypriot economy showed remarkable resilience in 2024, with a +3,7% growth rate despite persistent geopolitical and internal challenges
Europe Russia Andrei Kotov, director of 'Men Travel' agency and arrested for "organizing extremist activity and participating in it" was found dead in custody in Moscow amid a crackdown on LGBTQ+ rights, says organization OVD-Info, which tracks political arrests
Africa Somalia Music icon Luul Jeylaani Ali has died in Minneapolis, USA, marking the end of an era for a figure who profoundly influenced generations of Somali artists and music lovers
Asia Afghanistan A decree prohibiting the construction of windows in new buildings that overlook other people's homes and spaces where women might be has been issued
Africa Ivory Coast French troops will leave the country after a decades-long military presence,The country has announced, thus becoming the last African nation to cut military ties with its former colonial power
Asia Palestine Gaza's population decreased by 6% since the start of Israel's war, reports Anadolu Agency citing official data from the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics
Europe Moldova There is a lack of heating and hot water in homes and offices in the region of Transnistria after Ukraine cut off Russian gas supplies to Europe
Asia Maldives The National Disaster Management Council has approved the 'Maldives Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy 2024-2030', which focuses primarily on protecting the environment and safeguarding against natural and other disasters
Africa Sudan 28 trucks of food and medical supplies have reached Jebel Awliya, facing starvation since area access was cut off; it’s the first since the beginning of the civil war in 2023, a result of negotiations between UN and local associations with warring parties
Africa South Africa Nominations for Mail&Guardian’s 200 Young South Africans 2025 are open; at its 20th edition, the initiative celebrates the achievements of young people in 19 categories including agriculture, arts-entertainment, finance, health, justice, sport, technology