Europe Sweden A new species has been discovered in Swedish forests, a fungus that parasitizes lichens; it has been recognized by researchers at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Oceania Palau Article published this week by Bloomberg Green denounces a proposal to reduce the Palau National Marine Sanctuary and allow industrial fishing within its boundaries
Oceania Solomon Islands The Central Bank of Solomon Islands announced last month a new security technology on the revisions of its $50 and $100 notes
Europe Serbia The northern Serbian province of Vojvodina intends to launch a €14,5 million energy efficiency project, supported by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, to upgrade the energy efficiency of some 80 public buildings
Africa Nigeria The young Nigerian team, the 'Broomzillas', managed to qualify for the Winter Youth Olympics being held these days in Gangwon, South Korea, becoming the first African curling team to reach the Winter Youth Olympics
Europe Netherlands The life-size paintings of Marten Soolmans and Oopjen Coppit by Rembrant will soon be sent to Paris, where they will be exhibited in the Louvre for five years; the two-metre high portraits have been in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam for five years
America Argentina The legislature of the Argentine province of La Rioja is trying to approve the issuance of an alternative currency called "El Chacho", allocating 30% for the payment of state salaries; the proposal has been endorsed by 32 out of 36 legislators
America Ecuador The family of Ecuador's most-wanted fugitive, Jose Adolfo Macias "Fito," were arrested in Argentina and deported to Ecuador; Macias, leader of the Los Choneros gang, escaped from prison, triggering gang violence and prompting a state of emergency
Africa Ethiopia The Arab League also condemned the Ethiopia-Somaliland agreement granting the former access to the latter's ports in exchange for recognition of Hargeisa's independence
Europe Bulgaria The construction of two crucial motorways is about to begin; they will connect the city of Varna to Durankulak, in north-east Bulgaria, and to Silistra, on the Danube
Asia Georgia Tbilisi Tango, a school teaching the iconic Argentine dance, celebrates its 16th anniversary with the 5th Tbilisi Tango Weekend, to be held from 26 to 28 January
America Dominica Energy Minister Dr. Vince Henderson said the government is ready to start construction of a 10-kilowatt geothermal power plant to supplement the Dominica Electricity Company's power supply
Europe San Marino A new law passed by Parliament aims to ban smartphones and tablets for children under 11, first and foremost in schools but also and possibly in public places, after a group of teachers had denounced an 'educational emergency'
America Saint Vincent and the Grenadines A group of American scientists visiting the country to study different animal groups found three new species of Daddy Longlegs, thus doubling the number of known long-legged species on the island