Africa Malawi Taxes on the importation of electric and hybrid vehicles has been removed in a government move aimed at accelerating the adoption of fuel-efficient transport as global fuel prices continue to rise
Europe Montenegro The number of foreign nationals working in Montenegro has almost doubled since 2017 in response to a widening shortage of labour in the country; authorities and employers intensity efforts to fill gaps in the legal framework and the jobs market
Oceania Australia Armed carjackings have almost doubled in Victoria, increasing to an unprecedented extent, despite “tough new laws” being introduced to combat the crime in 2016, with rideshare drivers and delivery workers increasingly targeted
Europe Estonia Shuttle ships on the Tallinn–Helsinki route are increasing the use of cleaner fuel and will soon be fully powered by renewable energy: in January, 74% of the fuel used was liquefied biomethane and Tallink is set abandon LNG for liquefied biomethane
Africa Lesotho A major coordinated field campaign of Southern African Bird Atlas Project 2, one of the region’s main long-term biodiversity monitoring initiatives, is involving birdwatchers, conservationists, citizen scientists in Lesotho that hosts its highlands leg
Asia Qatar The first edition of Art Basel Qatar concluded establishing a new long-term platform for artistic exchange, institutional engagement, and market development in the region; the awaited inaugural edition was met with an enthusiastic response from the public
Asia Indonesia Sovereign investment fund Danantara, which manages state stakes in strategic sectors will fund a new Krakatau Steel plant, reflecting the recent push to use state capital to revive key industries, cut imports and strengthen industrial self-sufficiency
Asia Turkey Adana Mayor and eight other local politicians from the main opposition Republican People’s Party were released from prison; Karalar called for the release of other opposition mayors, including Istanbul's mayor and presidential candidate Ekrem Imamoglu
Asia Lebanon Another building has collapsed in Tripoli, leaving at least 2 dead as rescues fear up to 20 people could be trapped under the debris; Qobbeih, where a building collapsed on an entire family last weekend, is among the neighborhoods most at risk
Europe Serbia The Russian personalized mRNA cancer vaccines will be available to patients in Serbia starting in 2026, said Minister without portfolio Nenad Popovic speaking from Moscow following meetings with Russian Health Minister
Oceania Tonga Food sales and food-related gatherings in Hofoa have been restricted from 27 January to 27 March 2026 as a preventative measures to contain the spread of typhoid fever; the announcement came from the Ministry of Health earlier this week
Africa Senegal Hundreds of apartments remain empty in Dakar, while thousands of households struggle to find housing in the capital; the unprecedented phenomenon for a city where rental demand has long exceeded supply reflects a market in complete imbalance
America United States President Trump posted a video on his social media that included a portrayal of the Obama couple as apes; condemned by critics and some allies, was then removed; the only Black Republican senator called it the "most racist thing" ever from the White House
Africa Zimbabwe A mass seizure of stray dog has started earlier this week in Chegutu; the campaign at municipal level has been organized in partnership with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and aims to curb increasing dog bites episodes