Asia Qatar Art Basel announced it will debut in Qatar with a new format and artist Wael Shawky as Director; the inaugural edition of the fair will run on 5–7 February 2026, with Preview Days on 3 and 4
America Costa Rica Residents of El Tirol are protesting against the court-mandated cypress tree removal, they are also seeking legal alternatives to stop or mitigate the deforestation, as well as organizing a reforestation project to restore the affected landscape
Africa Mauritania The 10th edition of the Nouakchott Arab Poetry Festival took place; a three-days event organised by the Sharjah Department of Culture, it saw a wide participation of Mauritanian and African poets, intellectuals and writers
Africa Eswatini A new project will support the country reach the remaining 12% of the population with electricity access in remote and disadvantaged areas; financed by the World Bank, the plan aims at reaching universal energy access by 2030
Europe Albania The fight against organised crime in Albania has intensified and the authorities have seized millions of illicit assets, but the management of these properties is proving difficult, raising fears that they could return to criminal control
Africa Mauritius The Council of Southern African Football Associations will assist Mauritius in the development of youth football and regional sports competitions
Europe Belarus 143.936 large families have opened deposit accounts in Belarus under the family capital programme as of 1 February 2025
Africa Burundi A China-Burundi Friendship Walk organised by the Chinese Embassy and the Burundi-China Friendship Association was held in Bujumbura
Oceania Australia Australian lawmakers and experts say there has been an increase in both anti-Semitic and Islamophobic incidents since the war between Israel and Hamas began on 7 October 2023, in what its leaders call a 'national crisis'
Asia Vietnam Universities are launching AI programs to tackle talent shortage; HCMC University of Economics offers AI-driven digital business, the University of Economics and Law pioneers AI in e-commerce and more schools integrate AI into finance, banking, analytics
America Honduras Honduras is supporting the reintegration of returned migrants through economic aid, job programs, and cooperation with China and Mexico, aiming to reduce migration by creating opportunities, while also providing protection for vulnerable nationals
Africa Algeria The country exported over $30,5 million worth of hydrogen to Israel, according to the Observatory of Economic Complexity, despite its strong anti-Israel stance
America El Salvador Minors linked to gangs will be sent to adult prisons in separate units until 18, a move backed by President Bukele and approved by Congress; Unicef warns it violates international child rights standards
America Colombia Over 46.000 children in Catatumbo are facing danger, NGO Save the Children is warning, as renewed clashes between FARC dissidents and the national army are forcing mass displacement and increasing risks of forced recruitment