Asia Israel 2 babies die, 53 children injured in incident at unlicensed Jerusalem daycare supposedly caused by fault in heating system; 3 caregivers have been detained as video footage shows babies and toddlers sleeping in inadequate areas, near toilets, in closets
Europe North Macedonia Cuts to North Macedonia’s rare diseases programme have alarmed patient organisations; the state program provides therapy for 430 patients, and is set to be cut from 24 million euros to 17,5 million euros in 2026
Europe Norway Nobel Institute issued a statement on the controversial fact that Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado had given her gold Nobel medal to US President Donald Trump; amid international uproar, the institution said prize and winner are 'inseparable'
Asia Pakistan A major fire broke out at the Gul Plaza shopping centre in Karachi on 17 January, spreading rapidly through the multistory commercial building, which firefighters could to douse in 24 hours; at least 26 people died, 50 are missing, damage is extensive
Asia India Air India confirmed that it is in the process of returning personal belongings of the AI171 crash victims; over 22.000 items are listed, to be given back to the relatives of the 260 victims of the worst air disaster in three decades
Europe Hungary With parliamentary elections scheduled for 12 April, latest polls forecast 39% preferences for Orbán’s party, Fidesz, and 51% for the opposition led by MEP Péter Magyar; Orbán involved the global far right in a controversial video advert
Oceania Australia Off Shark Beach, a shark attacked a boy of about 13 who was swimming in Sydney Harbour, leaving him in critical condition with serious leg injuries
America Cuba Plans and measures 'for transitioning to a state of war' have been approved; a brief note indicates that the decision was made as part of Cuba's preparation of the mobilization of workers and civilian officials to confront a presumed US invasion
Asia Jordan Over 7.000 Christian pilgrims from across the Kingdom took part in the annual pilgrimage to the Baptism Site of Jesus Christ, Al Maghtas, on the eastern bank of the Jordan River, coinciding with the Feast of the Epiphany marked by the Orthodox Church
Africa eSwatini The songs for the 2026 Ingwenyama Cup Culture, combining football with Swazi heritage, will be released next week to give time to prepare for the competition as they will provide insights into the theme of the contest this year
Africa Guinea Soumbara, a traditional condiment made from fermented néré seeds essential in many West African cuisines is becoming increasingly scarce with prices rising sharply in the markets of Lélouma where is called brown gold
Europe Czech Republic 935.000 legal foreign workers, 360.000 from Ukraine, were employed in the Czech Republic in 2025, +11% on 2024; despite this, firms still face a shortfall, with the Chamber of Commerce estimating a need for around 250.000 more workers
Asia Brunei As Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah underwent knee replacement surgery, with a two to three months expected recovery period, a special Doa ceremony at Religious Teachers University College and nationwide prayers were organized for his well being
Europe Albania For many families in Tirana buying an apartment, a realistic goal up to a short time ago, is now unaffordable: wages haven't risen at pace with apartment prices surging up to 5.500 euros sq/m in a market that experts say is distorted by speculation