Oceania Palau A historic $15 million financing agreement has been signed with Saudi Arabia, marking a shift in how Palua's National Development Bank will now operate, as the loan will be directly invested into building affordable housing
Asia Bahrain The Bahrain Cancer Centre made medical history by successfully treating a sickle cell disease patient using CRISPR-based gene editing therapy, the first successful treatment of its kind outside the US
America Ecuador Ecuador closed its borders with Peru and Colombia on the eve of the presidential elections to ensure security, restricting foreign entry; military presence increased at border crossings, and only Ecuadorians with proper documents can enter
Asia Pakistan Punjab launches a project to greenify Cholistan desert in the frame of the Green Pakistan Initiative; the initiative includes a 5.000-acre Smart Agri Farm, Green Agri Mall and research centers to boost agriculture with modern tech and farmer support
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
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
Africa Benin On 10 and 12 February 2025, the International Board of Auditors for NATO welcomed to Brussels a delegation from the Benin Chamber of Accounts: talks focused on the external audit practices in use at NATO, with a view to promoting a broader understanding
Asia Jordan An Indian man, victim of a job scam promising work in Jordan, was shot dead by Jordanian security forces while trying to illegally cross into Israel; reports of Indians falling for employment scams have become increasingly common
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
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
Africa Cape Verde The FIVB Volleyball Empowerment programme successfully implemented a pilot project in Cape Verde, with the aim of strengthening training methods through advanced game analysis tools and training
Africa Gabon All administrative officials are urged to submit their asset declarations before 20 February to strengthen transparency and fight corruption within the institutions, an initiative of the National Commission for Combating Corruption and Illicit Enrichment
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