Remi Chauveau Notes

In Iran, where surfing is emerging as a distinctly Gen‑Z movement, three young Baluch surfers — Venus, 14, and Abideh and Noshin, both 12 — swept national surfing and longboard titles, signaling a new wave of youth talent rising from the country’s southeastern coast.

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🌤️✨🧁 Mid‑January 2026 Vibes: Cozy Moods, Snowy Scenes & Long Twilights 🌬️🫖☃️

Jonathan Vanian 14 January 2026

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☀️ When the Sun Levels the World

In a week where the world felt stitched together by shared storms, soft snows, and long twilight hours, Laurent Voulzy’s “Le soleil donne” becomes an unexpected compass: a reminder that the same sun lights every headline, every city, every quiet January moment. As we look back on the events of 5–12 January 2026—from weather systems sweeping across continents to cultural sparks traveling through screens—the song’s message of universal unity feels like the hidden thread. Its idea that the sun gives the same colour to everyone mirrors the way this mid‑winter week connected people across borders, time zones, and climates, turning global news into a single, shared glow beneath the same pale winter sun.

🎶 🧬🌍🎨📚🎉🌱🤝🛰️📡🪸📖🚲✨ 🔊 Le soleil donne - Laurent Voulzy

🌍 Global Mood Retrospective — 5 to 12 January 2026

A week where turbulence, cooperation, discovery, and shared rituals braided the world together.

The first days of 2026 unfolded as a week where geopolitical ruptures, scientific revelations, cultural signals, and civic debates echoed across continents.

Together, these events showed a world entering the new year with uncertainty, acceleration, and unexpected moments of shared connection.

🌱 France Launches New National Civic Service — 5 Jan

France opened registrations for its renewed national civic‑service program, emphasizing environmental restoration, digital literacy, and intergenerational solidarity. The initiative sparked nationwide conversations about youth engagement and civic renewal.

🤝 Humanitarian Release of Researcher Laurent Vinatier — 5 Jan

After months of international advocacy, researcher Laurent Vinatier was released and returned home. His liberation was widely welcomed as a rare humanitarian breakthrough in a tense global climate.

🌊 Global Ocean Cleanup Reaches Record Milestone — 5 Jan

Environmental groups announced that over 300,000 tonnes of marine plastic had been removed worldwide in 2025, marking the most successful year of ocean cleanup efforts to date.

🦴 Major Human‑Fossil Discovery in Morocco — 6 Jan

Paleoanthropologists revealed the discovery of remarkably preserved early‑human fossils in Morocco, offering new insights into the origins and dispersal of Homo sapiens. The finding reshaped scientific debates and drew global attention to North African prehistory.

🍺 UK Opens Debate on Lowering Legal Blood‑Alcohol Limit — 6–7 Jan

The British government launched consultations on reducing the legal blood‑alcohol limit for drivers. The proposal ignited nationwide discussion on public safety, nightlife culture, and the future of transport regulation.

🪸 Breakthrough in Coral‑Reef Regeneration — 6 Jan

Marine biologists reported record survival rates for lab‑grown corals transplanted into damaged reefs, offering new hope for ocean ecosystems.

📚 Tribute to Pierre Bordage — 7 Jan

Writers, readers, and cultural institutions across France honored Pierre Bordage, celebrating his visionary contributions to French science fiction. His legacy resurfaced in debates on imagination, futurism, and the role of speculative storytelling in turbulent times.

💬 “Parasocial” Named Word of the Year 2025 — 7 Jan

Global linguistic institutes jointly selected “parasocial” as the defining word of 2025, reflecting the growing tension between digital intimacy, fandom culture, and the illusion of proximity in online relationships.

📖 Global Youth Literacy Reaches Historic High — 7 Jan

UN agencies reported that global youth literacy surpassed 93%, the highest level ever recorded.

🎨 Global Tributes Mark David Bowie’s Birthday — 8 Jan

Fans, artists, and cultural institutions around the world paid tribute to David Bowie on what would have been his 79th birthday. The day also marked the tenth anniversary of his final album Blackstar, prompting a wave of commemorations, digital exhibitions, and musical homages. Messages shared by his family and global creative communities turned the date into a moment of collective remembrance, celebrating Bowie’s enduring influence on music, fashion, and artistic experimentation.

🗳️ Mercosur Trade Vote Reshapes Regional Dynamics — 9 Jan

Member states held a decisive vote on new trade frameworks, with implications for agriculture, digital markets, and environmental standards. The outcome signaled a renewed push for South American economic integration.

🌳 Global Reforestation Achieves Record Gains — 9 Jan

Environmental coalitions confirmed that over 20 million hectares of degraded land were restored globally last year.

🇮🇹🇪🇺🇫🇷 Italy–EU–France Political Crossroads — 9–10 Jan

Coordinated political developments in Rome, Brussels, and Paris highlighted shifting alliances within the European Union. Debates on migration, industrial policy, and democratic reform dominated the week’s agenda.

🧬 Breakthrough in Rare‑Disease Gene Therapy — 10 Jan

A multinational research team announced promising results for a new gene‑therapy technique targeting rare childhood disorders, offering hope to thousands of families.

🛰️ African Space Agencies Expand Earth‑Monitoring Program — 10 Jan

Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa unveiled new data‑sharing tools to improve climate forecasting and disaster response across the continent.

🌍 Global Cultural & Civic Events Connect the Week — 10–12 Jan

From cross‑border volunteer mobilizations to synchronized cultural festivals, the second week of January saw communities across continents participate in shared rituals and civic initiatives. These moments offered a counterpoint to global turbulence, reminding millions of the world’s capacity for connection.

🤲 Worldwide Volunteerism Hits Record Levels — 11 Jan

International NGOs reported the highest volunteer registrations in a decade, driven by climate action, humanitarian aid, and youth civic engagement.

📡 Satellite Learning Hubs Expand Remote Education — 11 Jan

New satellite‑based learning hubs opened in remote regions of Asia and Africa, enabling thousands of students to access digital classrooms for the first time.

🎉 Yennayer — Amazigh New Year Celebrated Worldwide — 12 Jan

Communities across North Africa and the diaspora celebrated Yennayer, the Amazigh New Year. Cultural festivals, culinary traditions, and intergenerational gatherings highlighted the resilience and richness of Amazigh heritage.

🎶 Global Music Collaboration Bridges Cultures — 12 Jan

Artists from 40 countries released a joint musical project blending traditional instruments with contemporary production, symbolizing cultural unity.

🚲 Cities Worldwide Launch “First Ride of the Year” — 12 Jan

Cycling communities in more than 60 cities organized New Year rides promoting sustainable mobility and environmental awareness.

#NuclearShift ⚛️ #AIPowerRace 🚀 #DataCenterFuture 🔌 #CleanEnergyPivot 🌍 #TechInfrastructure 📡

Baluch Wave, Next‑Gen Energy

In Iran, where a new generation is quietly reshaping cultural life despite a climate of uncertainty, the rise of three young Baluch surfers — Venus, 14, and Abideh and Noshin, both 12 — captures a deeper shift happening along the country’s southeastern coast. Their victories in national surfing and longboard competitions come from a tiny, community‑built surf scene where families, fishermen, and Gen‑Z athletes have created their own ecosystem of training, repair, and mentorship. At a time when Iranian youth are increasingly turning to sports, arts, and digital culture as spaces of expression and identity, the emergence of these Baluch girls signals how new forms of creativity and resilience are taking root far from the country’s traditional cultural centers.