Asia China 10 United States-based companies have been added to China's export control list, government procurement barred from 50 US companies two weeks after the Pentagon blacklisted some of China’s best-known companies for alleged ties to the Chinese military
Europe Portugal 46.824 pending Immigration and Asylum Cases were registered at the end of 2024 in the Lisbon Administrative Court, 80 times more than in 2023; the figure is in contrast with the general trend of decreasing pending cases in the area
America Paraguay The country and Argentina have agreed to strengthen military cooperation for border surveillance, deploying drones, radars, and conducting joint operations to combat organized crime
Europe Italy The secretary of the left-wing Democratic Party Elly Schlein is the first signatory of a bill, signed by all opposition leaders, to increase the maternity allowance and introduce equal leave for fathers
America Peru Former President Pedro Castillo will stand trial starting 4 March for rebellion and abuse of authority over his failed 2022 attempt to dissolve Congress; currently serving 18 months of pretrial detention, he faces a potential 34-year sentence while
America Guyana Guyana will begin administering flu vaccines to healthcare workers and the elderly while also contributing influenza samples to the WHO for vaccine design
America Nicaragua Nicaragua has announced its withdrawal from the UN’s agency FAO and ordered its offices closed, accusing the agency of publishing “false information” in a report that ranked the country among those suffering the most hunger in Central America
Africa Niger The Agadez region horticulturists' fair in Niamey is being held from 1 to 28 February 2025; unlike previous editions held in Place Toumo, the 2025 edition takes place in the traditional games arena, commonly known as the Wrestling Arena
Africa Sudan The Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on the African Union, the United Nations and the Arab League to support the roadmap the government presented after extensive consultations with national and social forces
America Canada Singer-songwriter Buffy Sainte-Marie has been stripped of Order of Canada; the appointment has been terminated by the Governor General following a 2023 CBC report questioning her Indigenous heritage and affirming she was born in Massachusetts
Africa Ivory Coast The chief of staff of Ivory Coast's army has ordered the suspension of five officials tasked with combating cocoa smuggling in the west of the country; 50.000-75.000 tons are estimated to have been trafficked over the western border in the current harvest
Asia Kuwait All forms of cash donations are banned during the coming Ramadan and Kuwait's Ministry of Social Affairs has required charitable organisations to use electronic payment methods instead
Africa Namibia Sam Nujoma, who has been the first president of Namibia after the independence from South Africa, has died at the age of 95; President for 15 years, was considered a father of the fatherland who led the country towards democracy
America Mexico The first of 10.000 troops have been deployed to the northern border after US President Trump threatened tariffs, with National Guard patrols targeting fentanyl smuggling and border security