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
Asia Maldives The Parliament accepted the bill to ban national elections during the month of Ramadan and appointed a special committee to examine it; the bill was tabled ahead of the parliamentary elections to be held on 17 March
America Ecuador Over 4.800 individuals have been detained in Ecuador since President Daniel Noboa declared a state of internal armed conflict around a month ago
Asia Georgia By 2024, Georgia's airports will accommodate up to 6,8 million passengers, according to the new government programme of Irakli Kobakhidze, Georgia's premier candidate, presented to the Georgian Parliament
America Bolivia Bolivia enhanced its customs control at the Chilean border with the opening of the upgraded Integrated Control Area of the Border Customs Administration in Pisiga, aiming to expedite the process for goods entering the country from overseas
America Colombia The Embassy of Korea and the IOM have joined forces to strengthen access to rights in Colombia, signing an agreement to increase access to primary health services, enhance protection strategies for victims of trafficking, and promote economic integration
Asia Palestine At least 135 crimes, assaults and violations committed by the Israeli occupation against journalism in Palestine were recorded in January, including the killing of 14 of them, according to the report of the Palestinian Journalists' Union Freedom Committee
Europe Iceland Birnir was the most popular name given to newborns in Iceland in 2023 (30 male babies), while Emilía was the most popular name given to baby girls, according to data published by Registers Iceland
Asia Iraq The country imposed a ban on eight local commercial banks preventing them from participating in dollar transactions, with the aim of reducing fraud, money laundering and more illicit uses of the US currency
Europe Ireland The Dublin City Centre Transport Plan, which aims to end the dominance of cars on city streets by reducing their routes and creating new civic squares, was overwhelmingly approved by the public, with over 80% in favour
Asia Nepal The encroachment of arable land near rivers and lakes for infrastructure construction has damaged the bird population in wetlands along the Rapti River in Bhalubang, leading to a shortage of food for the birds
Africa Lesotho A new $72 million project has been launched to protect the livelihoods of Lesotho's wool and mohair farmers, thereby supporting 225.000 rural inhabitants who are struggling to cope with the impacts of climate change and other challenges
Africa Sao Tome and Principe The country, among the 49 states considered, is the seventh least corrupt in sub-Saharan Africa, according to a report published by the non-governmental organisation Transparency International