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 Liberia President Joseph Boakai has decreed substance abuse as a 'national health emergency' as 'the drug epidemic, particularly the use of kush, is disturbing'
Africa Guinea President of African Party for Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde, Domingos Simões Pereira, challenged Guineans to see 2024 as a year to invoke 'memories and tributes' and restore the dignity to the people, regaining the power to respect their will
Africa Somalia The head of the Saudi Arabian humanitarian agency, KSrelief, arrived in Somalia to launch 24 humanitarian aid projects worth a total of $45 million, covering food security, health, education, water and environmental sanitation
Oceania Tonga Some 400 Tongan students have graduated from Chinese universities thanks to scholarships from the Chinese government, said the Acting Chargé d'Affaires of the Chinese Embassy, Ruan Dewen, during an event to mark International Education Day in Tonga
Asia Myanmar More Rohingya refugees fleeing Myanmar or Bangladesh died or went missing in 2023 than in the last ten years, according to statements by UNHCR
America Canada The massive hull of a seemingly ancient ship has appeared along the southwestern tip of Newfoundland; the wreck has attracted a stream of local admirers examining curved planks and wooden dowels, and sparked curiosity upon its history
Africa Ghana Two museums in London, the British Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum, will return 32 pieces that are part of the African country's crown jewels to Ghana: they were taken away 150 years ago during a sacking of the court of King Asante
Europe Denmark An investigation will assess evidence of country's air force allegedly participating in NATO bombing raids in Libya in 2011, that killed 14 civilians: first time one of the countries involved is indicated as possibly involved in the killing of civilians
Asia China The demographic decline in 2023 - negative record of 9,02 million children - reflects challenges like declining labour force, marriages and fertility rate, but it could be due to the horoscope, as 2023 was the year of the rabbit, considered not very lucky
Africa Mali The military regimes in power in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger issued a joint statement announcing their immediate exit from the Economic Community of West African States, an international organisation that includes 12 other countries and among other thing
Asia Japan 40 female participants have formally applied and will for the first time take part in the 'naked man festival', thus changing a 1650-year-old tradition; the event will take place at the Konomiya temple, Inazawa, on 22 February
Oceania Micronesia Kailua arboriculturist Kevin Eckert is working to help the local government save a Pacific treasure on the World Heritage list, the Nan Madol, an archaeological stone complex in Pohnpei dating back thousands of years, threatened by invasive mangroves
America Peru Peruvian police attacked protesters opposing the privatization of Machu Picchu's entrance fees; protesters seek the annulment of an alleged irregular contract between the Ministry of Culture and Joinnus for ticket sales