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
Europe Kosovo Total foreign remittances to Kosovo increased to €1,34 billion in 2023 from €1,22 billion the previous year, +10%, according to data from the Central Bank
America Colombia Colombia declared a state of disaster and public calamity due to wildfires, seeking international assistance to combat active fires and potential ones exacerbated by the El Niño phenomenon
America El Salvador El Salvador's teachers took to the streets on January 26 to demand higher pay for this upcoming school year
Asia Kyrgyzstan Seven newly sworn Peace Corps Response Volunteers will begin a one-year assignment as ecotourism marketing specialists in Naryn, Issyk-Kul, Jalal-Abad, Osh and Chui, working with partners of the Kyrgyz Community Tourism Association
Asia Kuwait The issuing of visit visas for expatriate families will resume after more than 18 months and will be granted under new conditions, such as a minimum salary of 800 Kuwaiti dinars, a university degree and a job in line with their field of study
Europe Albania The Albanian Information Technology Agency has opened tender procedures for a project with an estimated value of 578 million lek (€5,5 million) to improve the electronic platform for government services, e-Albania
Africa Gambia As the country prepares to host the 15th Organization of Islamic Cooperation Summit on 4 and 5 May 2024, the OIC Local Security Organising Committee presented the National Security Plan
Oceania Fiji Over 10.000 Fijian coffee farmers in the Viti Levu highlands will benefit from a US$25.000 grant that the Indonesian government handed over to Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka
Europe Portugal Brazilians Lucas Chianca and Maya Gabiera stormed the 2024 Nazare Big Wave Challenge podium to win men's and women's individual divisions with swell building and surf hitting 30 to 40 feet
Asia Azerbaijan Only a month after the first UN climate summit, Azerbaijan, the next host, announced a 28-strong organising committee without a single woman; after criticism, it added 12 women to the committee
Asia Philippines The government will give priority to Philippine-made vehicles in the Utility Vehicle Modernisation Programme, assured House Speaker Martin Romualdez in a message to local manufacturers of modern jeepneys
Asia Qatar The country described as 'destructive' leaked audio statements by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticising Qatar's efforts to mediate with Hamas as 'problematic', complicating the already difficult negotiations
Asia Pakistan Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Imran Khan's party in crisis, is facing difficult times ahead of the elections and the party's official website 'Insaf. pk' has been blocked; the party has asked the relevant authorities to explain why its site has been blocked