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 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
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
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
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
Europe Russia President Putin, when asked if he would change his decision to invade Ukraine in any way, replied that he would have to decide 'before' doing so
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 Burkina Faso The first 44 gold bars from the processing of the fine coal from the Essakane gold mine have been handed over in Ouagadougou, destined to the national reserve; the Transition authorities envision to create wealth through the expertise in mining processing
Asia Israel Israel has announced the closing its embassy in Dublin, Ireland, in protest against Ireland’s decisions to recognize Palestinian statehood and to accuse the Israelis of committing genocide in the Gaza Strip
Africa Angola Angolan Hariana Verás is first African journalist to officially join the select group of correspondents recognised and accredited by the Pentagon
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
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
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
Europe Spain The working week will be shortened for equal pay from the current 40 hours to 37 ½ hours by the end of 2025 following an agreement reached by the government with the country's two main trade unions