America Brazil The federal import tax on international purchases of up to US$ 50 made through e-commerce platforms like Temu, Shein, and AliExpress has been erased; experts say it is a strategic move in view of October's upcoming general elections
Africa Guinea-Bissau Professionalizing stalls selling certified products and creating integrated tourism packages for regional festivals will contribute to economic diversification reducing dependence on primary sector and foster sustainable tourism, Economist Cassamá said
Asia North Korea Ninth Party Congress could be convened any day now, after weeks of preparation, international visits, expectations; Party Congresses have been the regime’s stage for big announcements, subtle purges and the occasional rewriting of titles
Africa Mozambique Tropical cyclone Gezani shifted its course towards the Indian Ocean, no longer posing a threat to Mozambique that had braced for a landfall on coast; its passage brought high winds and torrential rain to areas in Inhambane and Sofala province
Oceania Micronesia Several fish spawning aggregation sites have been identified for protection, including the longnose emperor, focus of Palau International Coral Reef Center recent study finalized to integrate and update Koror Southern Lagoon's fishing management plan
Europe Russia The Kremlin has denied Russia poisoned Navalny; the declaration follows the forensic analysis presented by five European countries that said poisoning with frog toxin was “likely the cause of his death”
Africa Chad President of the Republic Marshal Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno has been awarded the African Peace Prize 2026; highly symbolic, it was decided by world diplomacy in Geneva at a dedicated meeting on the campus of the University for Peace at the UN headquarters
Europe Germany Germany defied Schengen spirit with the extension of random checks at the border with Belgium, that will continue until September 2026 if latest decisions aren't revised
Europe Belgium The number of vacancies requiring a university degree has fallen to an all-time low, -35% y-o-y with market losing 23% of job offers; administrative and IT are the less required jobs as experts say artificial intelligence is not the only cause
Asia Azerbaijan Military oath-taking ceremonies for new recruits were held on 15 February across Azerbaijan; after the battle flags were brought to parade grounds, they began with a tribute to National Leader Aliyev and the Martyrs and the National Anthem
Europe Monaco The Princely Family spent the weekend together watching women’s curling events at the Stadio Olimpico del Ghiaccio in Cortina; both spouses have been Olympic athletes: him as a bobsleigh pilot in five editions, she as South Africa swimmer at Sydney 2000
America Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley won a historic third election victory, with her Barbados Labour Party taking all seats of Barbados House of Assembly
Asia Yemen Houthi militias have resumed construction work to establish commercial shops in the courtyard of Al-Mashhad Mosque in the capital Sana’a, following a brief halt triggered by widespread public anger in recent days
Oceania Kiribati Miss Kiribati, Atinterentaai Rinimarawa, joined Pacific queens gather in Fiji for regional pageant; organisers say the focus is shifting beyond crowns and catwalks to climate change, crime, culture, and the role of Pasifika women in regional leadership