Asia Iraq The 7,5 km Hamrin concrete bridge in Diyala province, which will be the longest in Iraq, has been temporarily opened with 90% of construction completed after roads were damaged and traffic disrupted by rising water levels in the neighboring lake
Asia Lebanon Peacekeepers from the UN Interim Force in Lebanon are present on the ground in the south of the country "despite escalating tensions" between Israel and Hezbollah, said UNIFIL spokesman Andrea Tenenti
Asia Iraq The new medical city in Nasiriyah, in the southern governorate of Dhi Qar, which will be Iraq's second hospital, will be planned and designed by a Greek company on an area of 330.000 square meters
Africa Benin For the first time, Benin will participate in the Venice Biennale: the theme of the Pavilion is feminism, between history, spirituality and art in an exhibit titled "Everything Precious Is Fragile" with themes such as the slave trade, the Amazons and Vodu
Africa Namibia The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has expressed "deep concern" over increased poaching activities within Etosha National Park, where as many as 19 rhinos have been illegally killed by poachers since the beginning of 2024
America Dominican Republic Amnesty International has appealed to the country to end human rights violations against Haitians, Dominicans of Haitian descent, and people of color resulting from its immigration policies, which the organization calls racist
Asia Afghanistan Turkey-based construction company 77 INSAAT has reportedly expressed interest in establishing a cement plant in Jawzjan province in northern Afghanistan, near the border with Turkmenistan
Africa Zimbabwe The country has declared a state of calamity over the devastating drought, with El Nino causing 80% of the country to receive below-normal rainfall; President Emmerson Mnangagwa said the nation needs $2 billion for humanitarian assistance
Europe Hungary The Hungarian Pass, which is supposed to grant holders free travel starting March 1, is facing difficulties, with some bus drivers reportedly hesitant to honor this benefit, and passengers have been denied free travel on several occasions
America Dominica Dominica Public Service Union is proposing the introduction of the option for public servants to retire at age 65, said General Secretary Thomas Letang
Africa Senegal Senegal's newly elected president, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, appointed Ousmane Sonko as his prime minister; Sonko could not run for president because of a criminal conviction
Africa Uganda The government is trying to exploit bamboo production, which has positive implications both in terms of grow and productive potential and for the environment, as for example burning it instead of eucalyptus can be a viable alternative to save forests
Asia Mongolia UN Special Envoy for Road Safety, Jean Todt, visited the country to launch the UN's new global road safety campaign, #MakeASafetySatement, which aims to halve the number of road fatalities by 2030
Africa Niger Niger judicial authorities have ordered the release of Abdourahamane Ben Hamaye, a journalist and aide to former President Mohamed Bazoum, and Mohamed Mbarek, a cousin of the former president's wife accused of conspiracy against state authority