Asia Bahrain 394.000 visitors have been registered in state-run heritage sites in January-August 2026, with the Bahrain Fort accounting for 246.409, nearly two thirds of the total, and foreign visitors prevailed with the presence of 187.567 people
Asia China The demographic decline in 2023 - negative record of 9,02 million children - reflects challenges like declining labour force, marriages and fertility rate, but it could be due to the horoscope, as 2023 was the year of the rabbit, considered not very lucky
Oceania Tonga Some 400 Tongan students have graduated from Chinese universities thanks to scholarships from the Chinese government, said the Acting Chargé d'Affaires of the Chinese Embassy, Ruan Dewen, during an event to mark International Education Day in Tonga
Asia Myanmar More Rohingya refugees fleeing Myanmar or Bangladesh died or went missing in 2023 than in the last ten years, according to statements by UNHCR
Europe Hungary Art and Antique Budapest, Hungary's largest classical and contemporary art fair, at its 6th edition, will open doors from 29 February to 3 March, and will have a record number of 40 galleries participating this year
Europe Sweden Over a thousand Swedish artists have signed an open letter calling for Israel's exclusion from the next Eurovision Song Contest; the 2024 edition will be held in Sweden
Asia Saudi Arabia In Riyadh, the first liquor shop in over 70 years has been opened: the sale of products is currently reserved for foreign diplomatic staff from non-Islamic countries
Africa Zimbabwe A door-to-door cholera vaccination campaign was launched, targeting 2,3 million citizens in the areas most at risk of contagion; the epidemic has affected 21.000 people across the country and claimed the lives of over 400
Europe Denmark An investigation will assess evidence of country's air force allegedly participating in NATO bombing raids in Libya in 2011, that killed 14 civilians: first time one of the countries involved is indicated as possibly involved in the killing of civilians
Asia Japan 40 female participants have formally applied and will for the first time take part in the 'naked man festival', thus changing a 1650-year-old tradition; the event will take place at the Konomiya temple, Inazawa, on 22 February
Oceania Samoa Apia will focus on the prevention of meth use, with special focus on the involvement of adolescents and minors; the Mayor assured the issue won't be taken lightly by village chiefs and Aumagas and urged the police to strengthen their role
America Uruguay Uruguay received praise from NASA for its impressive strides in integrating wind energy, highlighting the Peralta wind farm in Tacuarembó as a symbol of the country's rapid progress, increasing its wind energy share from 1% to 34% in 5 years
America Venezuela A recent report from the Congressional Research Service in the US acknowledges the ineffectiveness of sanctions against Venezuela, stating that they only contributed to an economic crisis, prompting 7,7 million Venezuelans to flee
America Suriname Suriname and French Guiana are collaborating to address mercury use in the gold sector; the countries initiated efforts to minimize environmental impact through joint projects and research with the National Institute for Environment in Suriname