America Colombia Abelardo De La Espriella has become the new president-elect of Colombia in a tight run-off; the far-right lawyer was openly backed by US President Trump
Africa Tanzania The shortage of alcohol and the consequent soaring prices have left Zanzibar in severe difficulties at the beginning of the tourist season, with expected deep consequences as the tourist season generates 90% of the archipelago's revenue
Africa Lesotho Civil servants have given the government a week to honour its 'promise' of a 25% wage increase, otherwise they will go to court, after a meeting between the government and the Coalition of Lesotho Civil Servants that allegedly produced no positive outcome
Europe Ireland Almost 30% of new rents across Ireland exceeded €2.000 per month in the third quarter of last year, and in Dublin over half of new lettings exceeded this figure, according to the latest Residential Tenancies Board index
Africa Ivory Coast The Ivory Coast won the African Cup of Nations 2023, beating Nigeria 2-1 in a comeback in the final, for the third time in its history
Oceania Samoa A review of the minimum wage in Samoa is closer after Finance Minister Lautimuia Uelese Va'ai said the government is looking to set up a committee to guide it; the current minimum wage in Samoa is $3 per hour and came into effect in 2020
Asia Uzbekistan Uzbekistan's courts found 666 people guilty of sexual harassment under the new Article 41-1 of the Code of Administrative Responsibility in 2023, said Supreme Court spokesman Aziz Abidov
Oceania Palau Charter flights from Macau to Palau doubled in February compared to January, with 19 flights scheduled for the Chinese New Year holiday; this is expected to bring up to 2.800 visitors from China, a boost for the island nation's tourism industry
America Saint Vincent and the Grenadines The donation from the East Caribbean Group of Companies was considered a 'beacon of hope' for the Zero Hunger Trust Fund's school feeding initiative that serves 12 schools in the most vulnerable communities
America Saint Kitts and Nevis The new tax administration system of the St. Kitts and Nevis Department of Revenue, SMARTS - Smart Modernised Administration for Revenue and Taxation System, is now up and running to offer more simplified and efficient services to taxpayers
Africa Seychelles The Seychelles Fire and Rescue Services Agency reported a sharp increase in domestic accidents and electrical fires over the past year
Europe Luxembourg Single and widowed parents will pay less tax from 2025 and a broader reform to eliminate higher taxes for singles than for married couples will be presented no earlier than 2026
Oceania Nauru After China and Nauru officially resumed diplomatic relations, 26 international students from Nauru arrived in Beijing to participate in a month-long learning programme focusing on China's national conditions and Chinese language
Oceania Papua New Guinea Detective Senior Constable Hakaiwa and Constable Koma, both serving with Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary, have advanced police forensic skills in East Sepik and Morobe, thanks to the collaborative efforts of Australian High Commission in the country