Asia Afghanistan Approximately 18.000 carats of emeralds, worth 1,1 million USD, have been sold since the beginning of year 1404, or 20 March 2025, in five rounds of bidding for Panjshir area emeralds and new emerald mine sites were discovered in Pariyan district
Africa Guinea A ship of COSCO Shipping, Chinese state-owned company providing forwarding and logistics services, for the first time docked at the container terminal of the autonomous port of Conakry
Africa Ghana Efforts to combat poaching of pangolins are being stepped up by authorities and conservation groups; in Ghana, the three native species - giant pangolin, ground pangolin and white-bellied pangolin - are all at risk of extinction
Asia Malaysia Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli has criticized the negative perceptions of vernacular schools —public schools that teach in Mandarin or Tamil — emphasizing their role in education; He urges Malaysians to move beyond racial issues and focus on unity
Africa Central African Republic The UN Secretary-General strongly condemned the killing of a Tunisian peacekeeper of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in the Central African Republic while conducting a long-range patrol to protect civilians
America Chile UNESCO is leading efforts in Chile to promote sports for inclusion and sustainability, as the country is preparing to host the 2027 Special Olympics World Games, reinforcing its commitment to social transformation through sports
Asia Cambodia The Kuoy ethnic group is celebrating Bonn Prey Lang, a two-day festival honoring the forest; around 2-300 people take part in religious ceremonies, including ordaining 100+ big trees to promote conservation and preserve their indigenous cultural identity
Oceania Papua New Guinea The government might be forced to ban Facebook and TikTok completely if online attacks persisted, Prime Minister James Marape warned
Asia Taiwan The 9th edition of the Asian Winter Games, held in Harbin, PRC, have closed with Taiwan claimed its very first medal at the international event, with the speed skating bronze in the Women's 100 metres competition
Europe Switzerland The city of Geneva, considered the world capital of human rights, international law and humanitarian aid, is planning to pay CHF10 million of NGO worker wages following the United States decision to freeze humanitarian aid for 90 days
Africa South Africa A green hydrogen directive is set to be launched on 17 February, which is expected to simplify approval procedures for green hydrogen projects that would stimulate economic growth, reduce environmental risks and encourage the creation of new jobs
Europe Slovenia Prison staff across the country protested for an hour on Thursday to draw attention to what they say is an alarming situation due to severe overcrowding in prisons, staff shortages and low wages
Asia Singapore In a recent study evaluating liveability, lovability, and prosperity Singapore has been ranked as the top city in the Asia-Pacific; the study highlighted its dynamic retail and dining scenes and its robust economy as key factors to its leading position
Africa Republic of the Congo Houses on stilts have been gaining popularity, in Makotimpoko, in the flood-prone highlands, as they offer a sustainable option for housing