Asia China Unilateral zero-tariff treatment is now applied to all African countries except Eswatini, which maintains ties with Taiwan; duty-free policy for 33African countries was introduced in 2024, now covers 53 countries and will be in place until 30 April 2028
Africa Botswana The country received an integrity award from the WHO for achieving a milestone in tobacco control efforts by ensuring that there was no undue influence or pressure from the tobacco industry in any public health policy formulation or implementation process
Europe Croatia The new Rijeka University Hospital complex, worth €158 million and the largest government investment in healthcare since Croatia's independence, was inaugurated; construction began in 2019
Africa Gambia Girls' Pride Gambia concluded a 20-day training programme for 25 Home Science teachers in the Lower River Region on how to make handmade reusable sanitary napkins and on menstrual health and hygiene management through games
Africa Guinea-Bissau The Guinean civil society organisation expressed its concern to the Minister of the Interior and Public Order, Botche Cande, about the existence of traces of a large number of drugs in Guinea-Bissau
Oceania New Zealand A group of students and educators from New Zealand's University of Waikato, consisting mostly of Maori, visited Taiwan in January for a cultural exchange programme and to learn about Taiwan's indigenous culture
Africa Senegal Clashes occurred in Dakar between security forces and demonstrators protesting the unprecedented postponement of the presidential elections, announced by Head of State Macky Sall, originally scheduled for 25 February
Europe Finland Finnish forest industry giant Stora Enso has announced a new profit improvement programme that could result in the shedding of around a thousand jobs
Europe Hungary The National Election Office rejected the joint referendum initiative of the opposition party Momentum and Dániel Karsai on end-of-life decisions
America Haiti Haiti's northern region hosted the inaugural edition of the Salon du Livre et des Arts du Grand Nord d'Haiti, with the aim of highlighting the talent of local artists and writers
Africa Burundi The average size of family farms is shrinking in rural areas due to population pressure, with fertility being lost due to over-exploitation and farmers seeking new areas, leading to weakening rivers such as the Ruzizi
Oceania Nauru Among the reasons for the break with Taiwan and the rapprochement with China would be the fact that the country faces immense financial pressure due to the imminent closure of the Regional Refugee Processing Centre
Asia Bhutan For 8th birthday of His Royal Highness Gyelsay Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck, more than 500 DANTAK Project officials engaged in clean-up activities on 900 km of highways, in initiative aimed at creating awareness about the importance of keeping the roads clean