Asia Iran The Straight of Hormuz will remain "completely open" for all commercial vessels as long as the ceasefire in the Middle East lasts, Foreign Minister Araghchi declared on X
Africa Algeria One month after Algeria's parliament unanimously passed a law declaring France's colonisation, and the glorification of colonialism, a crime, and demanding an apology and reparations, details about implementation haven't been announced yet
Asia Japan A reactor at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant was shut down as an alarm was triggered during control rod withdrawal operations five hours and 25 minutes after it was restarted - first one to resume operation since the 2011 Fukushima disaster
Africa Central African Republic On 19 January the National Authority for Elections of the Central African Republic published the official results of the elections held on 28 December 2025: incumbent President Faustin-Archange Touadéra won a third term with 77,9% of the vote
America Jamaica Convictions for praedial larceny, 209 cases in 2025, are one of the results of the work of Agricultural Protection Branch of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, recently established to curb these kind of crimes
Asia Qatar Qatar condemned the initiation of demolitions in the complex of the UNRWA in occupied Jerusalem, operated by the Israeli occupation authorities; the official note reads it is a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law
Oceania Solomon Islands Addressing road safety, traffic authorities are enforcing long-standing road transport laws largely unimplemented for years, ordering drivers to comply and remove illegal under-glow and non-standard LED lights from motor vehicles and trailers
Asia Kazakhstan A controversial set of amendments into law banning “LGBT propaganda” has been signed; Kazakh and international rights activists say it will institutionalize discrimination against LGBT people and give authorities an additional tool to curb free speech
Europe Poland Łódź has been ranked the fourth most congested city in the world, with commuters using an average of 135 hours in rush-hour gridlock in 2025; fatalities fell by nearly 13% even as traffic volumes remained high and traffic conditions in many major Polish
Europe Vatican City The Holy Door of St. Peter's, that Pope Leo closed last of four at the major papal basilicas, was sealed in a solemn rite presided over by Archpriest of St. Peter and the Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations marking the last of the Jubilee rites
Asia China China’s drug and medical device industry is projected to grow by 50% by 2023, with revenue forecast to exceed US$2,1 trillion; a new engine of economic growth, it would be driven by an aging population and global expansion
Europe United Kingdom New BBC strategic partnership with video platform YouTube will showcase “the best homegrown storytelling and news from across” the British broadcaster; BBC will “expand” its activities on YouTube, including tailor-made content for younger audiences
Africa South Africa The chief of staff of the Department of Social Development, appointed - underqualified - at the age of 22, resigned without facing disciplinary hearing
Europe France La Clef, a legendary arthouse cinema in Paris's Latin Quarter, reopened after years of closure a sit-in of its employees and a fundraising involving top directors; a collective of its supporters now runs it on a voluntary basis, with admission by donation