World Report

In Togo, 14 people, including an Irish citizen, accused of taking part in demonstrations against the Togolese regime are sentenced to ten years in prison. In the UK a plan to phase out diesel/ petrol vehicles by 2030 has raised alarm in the automotive industry, and Nigeria's government increases telecommunications tariffs on calls and data to 50%.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The killing of an eight-year-old girl in Turkey last year became a national scandal, but her family members' trial, who were responsible, has disappointed many. India is refusing to comply with Bangladesh's request to extradite former Prime Minister Sheik Hasina. The German city of Chemnitz is celebrating as it becomes European Capital of Culture.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Indigenous communities in Honduras are coping with intense storms and hurricanes due to deforestation and climate change. In Denmark discussions are to take place with Donald Trump over the future of the Arctic region, and in Italy a priest in Bari could face manslaughter charges over the death of a newborn baby left at his church in early January.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Relations between Ukraine and Slovakia have deteriorated sharply in recent weeks, in a dispute over supplies of Russian gas to Central Europe. Along the Mexico-US border - migrant shelters are preparing for mass deportations ahead of the inauguration of Donald Trump and in Australia a federal inquiry is examining the closure of live music venues.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Canada will soon have a new Prime Minister after the resignation of Justin Trudeau. A number of Nordic countries have begun creating domestic contingency plans in case of war, and in Italy authorities in Rome have drawn up plans to charge a fee for visiting the Trevi Fountain.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump's idea of buying Greenland has stirred up questions about geopolitics, sovereignty, and the island’s future. In Argentina a year on from his election, President Javier Milei has brought radical change: slashing state spending by one third, and removing vital subsidies for energy costs, transport and groceries. In Mexico researchers are striving to save rare salamanders.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Deadly turf wars and drive-by shootings linked to the drugs trade are spreading in France. In India an 81-year-old bridge is in the news because the Indian government has roped in the same British firm for maintenance which had designed it, and in Australia 94,000 Irish born people will be hoping for sunshine and clear skies for the festive season.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A recent attack on a military base in Chad, which resulted in the deaths of 40 soldiers, has been blamed on Boko Haram. In Estonia the government is moving to restrict non-citizens from voting in local elections. In Tenerife holidaymakers are being encouraged to look beyond the beaches… to visit the volcanic landscapes and UNESCO heritage sites.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the 13 year old civil war in Syria flares up again, what role is Turkey playing and what are the interests of the country's president Recep Tayyip Erdogan? In Canada there is concern over the threat by Donald Trump to impose tariffs from goods crossing the border. In France birth rates have fallen to levels last seen at the end of WWII.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over 1.2 million displaced Lebanese began to return home after a ceasfire was announced between Israel and Hezbollah. In Mexico the country's new president Claudia Sheinbaum faces a battle to contain cartel violence, and in Thailand, animal welfare groups want greater protections for the Asian elephant.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.