Asia Sri Lanka Digital marketplace LilyLanka has been launched to connect small and medium enterprises with customers; the platform includes products, online sales and delivery services and aims to digitalize local trade, expand market access and support SMEs recovery
Africa Senegal A two-year prison sentence was inflicted by Pikine-Guédiawaye Magistrates' Court to two men found guilty of producing and distributing pornographic videos filmed in Senegal and broadcast on online platforms
America Bahamas Eight Bahamians received the 2026 New Year’s Day Honours by King Charles III in St James Palace in London; The Most Excellent Order of The British Empire OBE is a highly distinguished honour awarding excellence in various activities
Europe Slovenia Rok Gašparič has become the first Slovenian to receive the Mary Anning Medal for outstanding contribution to paleontology by researches not professionally dedicated to the subject; he has been awarded for his contributions on decapod crustaceans fossils
Oceania Tonga Tonga's Prime Minister, Lord Fakafanua, has announced an 11 member Cabinet on 5 January 2026 after the appointments were made by King Tupou VI as stipulated by the Constitution
Asia Laos Funding to restore degraded forests in Xe Bang Nouan National Protected Area was approved by ADB; The project will reforest damaged land, improve watershed management and support local communities with sustainable forestry, climate-resilient activities
Europe Lithuania A municipal campaign led to about 9.700 residents to declare Vilnius as their residence, adding over EUR 12,5 million to the 2026 city budget, Mayor confirmed, as the city's house prices increased by 10,8% in Q3 2025 compared to Q3 2024
Africa Egypt Phase two of the Bus Rapid Transit BRT project and works for Greater Cairo Ring Road development have been inspected by Ministry of Transport amid Egypt’s broader efforts to expand sustainable and environmentally friendly public transport systems
America Saint Kitts and Nevis 5 volunteers from the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps arrived in Saint Kitts and Nevis to strengthen instruction of mathematics, pure science, and other related areas; the professionals are part of a larger cohort, with other 12 teaching in the health sector
Europe Estonia As ice edge in Pärnu Bay lies about two nautical miles from the breakwaters, 10 centimeters thick, icebreaking activities have started to guarantee the smooth transit of ships while cold weather is forecasted to continue
Europe Serbia Criminal proceedings against former Serbian Construction Minister over the Novi Sad railway station disaster have been dropped due to a lack of evidence; the collapse of the newly inaugurated structure triggered mass protest staged throughout 2025
Asia China Rules regulating competition among e-commerce operators have been tightened starting 7 January 7; a series of measures enhance rigor for sales platforms following the use of practices deemed excessive to attract sellers in a context of intense competition
Europe Andorra 237.500 vehicles have entered Andorra during the Special Traffic period, running from 19 December to 6 January: 172.000 through the border with Spain and 65.500 from France, according to Andorran Mobility Department
Africa Guinea Pivi, convicted of crimes against humanity for the 2009 stadium massacre, has died in custody in a Conakry hospital from complications related to diabetes; known as Coplan, he was a colonel and in charge of security under then-dictator Moussa Dadis Camara