Oceania New Zealand 'Our Freshwater 2026' report highlights worsening quality of groundwater, rivers and lakes, with increasing levels of nitrates, E.coli above legal limit, and nearly half of New Zealand's river network unsafe for swimming due to faecal contamination
Asia Afghanistan The country is facing a critical health emergency with a dramatic rise in acute respiratory diseases, affecting children in particular; WHO has documented a 54,1% increase due to environmental and social factors and the use of poor quality fuels
Europe Iceland Icelandic teachers voted to approve a new four-year salary agreement, with 93% of votes in favour of the agreement that includes a 24,5% salary increase
Asia Armenia The European Union is considering allocating an additional 10 million euros in “non-lethal” military aid to Armenia through the European Peace Facility
Africa Tunisia Trial begun for 40 opposition figures accused of conspiring against state security for criticising President Kais Saiedhas, including politicians, activists, diplomats, journalists and businessmen
Africa Malawi The Malawi Conference of Catholic Bishops has announced plans to host the country's first National Eucharistic Congress, a historic gathering of Catholics from across Malawi
Europe Portugal For the centenary of Carlos Paredes, regarded as the father of Portuguese guitar music, Lisbon will host the first-ever Portuguese Guitar Festival on 7-8 March across five prominent venues, including Cinema São Jorge, Capitólio, and Variedades
Europe Estonia Economic growth of 1,2% in the fourth quarter of last year, which ended ten quarters of recession, surprised analysts, as it was significantly higher than the initial estimate of Statistics Estonia
Asia China It is predicted that over a half of adults and one third of children, adolescents and young adults worldwide will be overweight or obese by 2050; China is expected to count 627 million, more than any other country
Europe Hungary Six out of ten employers plan to increase wages by an average of 8,4% this year, Profession.hu reported, based on the results of its recent employer survey
Africa Nigeria 'Dream Count', the latest book by renowned Nigerian-American writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, has been included in the official shortlist of the international Women's Prize for Fiction 2025
Asia Turkey Air pollution exceeded safe limits for 204 days in 2024 in the region of Antalya, according to measurements taken locally over the year
Asia Turkmenistan Integrated Management of Childhood Illness programme was launched nationwide by the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry, in collaboration with UNICEF
America Chile Widespread chaos spread due to a massive power outage affecting multiple regions, including Santiago and Valparaíso, with disruptions in public services and transportation; authorities are still working to restore power and manage the emergency