America Colombia Abelardo De La Espriella has become the new president-elect of Colombia in a tight run-off; the far-right lawyer was openly backed by US President Trump
Europe Norway Norwegian soldiers undertook the longest winter exercise in recent history, cutting off all contact with the outside world for 100 days to prepare for combat behind enemy lines
Oceania Marshall Islands The end of January and the beginning of February saw the presence of several tuna transport ships in the Majuro lagoon, a sure sign of a resumption of transhipment activity
Europe Netherlands An agreement among the government, energy companies and network operators has been reached: an emergency fund will be extended to help low-income households struggling with high energy bills
Africa Malawi Exports of gems and precious minerals have been frozen and no new export licences for minerals have been issued while Malawi is reforming how the sector is administered
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
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
Oceania Samoa The Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet condemned the views expressed in a forged e-mail supposedly from the Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata'afa, addressed to members of the Fa'atuatua ile Atua Samoa ua Tasi party
Oceania Palau An innovative genetic study of ancient remains has revealed new insights into the ancestry and migration patterns of Palau's early inhabitants, distinguishing them from other Pacific island populations
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
Asia North Korea North Korean rights groups fear collapse after US Treasury Department freezes National Endowment for Democracy funds
Africa Zambia The Zambia Flying Doctor Service has celebrated the acquisition of a new helicopter, christened 9J-KDK in honour of Zambia's first president, Kenneth David Kaunda,it will boost life-saving health services in the country
Africa Niger The UN denounced the 'arbitrary' detention of Mohamed Bazoum, the Niger president overthrown by a coup in July 2023, and his wife
Oceania Papua New Guinea The government might be forced to ban Facebook and TikTok completely if online attacks persisted, Prime Minister James Marape warned