Egypt

Stimulus Package

The Egyptian interim government unveiled a stimulus package of 33.9 billion Egyptian pounds (about $4.87 billion) to boost the nation's struggling economy in February. Egypt's Finance Minister Ahmed Galal said most of the finance came in aid from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the second half of 2013, adding that more than two-thirds of the package would be used in a number of Egyptian-UAE investment projects and the development of the Suez Canal corridor region. The rest of the package will be allocated for socialdimension projects like implementing the minimum wage law, improving the wages of teachers and developing the financial structure of a number of authorities, including the state-run Radio and Television Union, according to the minister.

South Africa

Blade Runner Trial

Tunisia has been allocated $506.7 million by the International Monetary Fund to help the country through its political transition. Tunisian Minister of Economy and Finance Hakim Ben Hamouda confirmed the decision to the Tunisian Press Agency (TAP) at the end of January. The funds came a few hours after the new caretaker government, led by independent figure Mehdi Jemaa, was sworn into office and one day after the country's legislative power, the National Constituent Assembly (NCA), approved it. The release of $506.7 million makes up the second part a $1.76 billion loan that was signed on June 7, 2013. The loan is aimed at reviving the Tunisian economy, which took a severe pounding following three years of political turmoil beginning with the ouster of the country's former President Zine Abidine Ben Ali. Tunisia has been praised by the international community for succeeding in drafting and ratifying a consensual new constitution.

Zimbabwe

Nollywood Reality

Zimbabwe model, presenter and actress Vimbai Mutinhiri is ramping up her career with the news that she will be seen on the set of season two of Nollywood actor Jim Iyke's controversial reality show "Jim Iyke: Unscripted." The popular continental show sheds light into Iyke's world as he promotes his latest movies while looking at the competitive world of men's fashion. "Being in this production for Nollywood is extremely exciting and it was a fantastic experience. This movie is definitely a project close to my heart," Mutinhiri said. The role is the second Nollywood production for Mutinhiri after having starred in Nigerian film Finding Love in 2013. Nollywood is Africa's biggest film industry, pumping out up to 1,000 films a year and earning in the region of $250 million.

China

4G Rollout

China Telecom Corp. Ltd., the third-largest telecom carrier of China, rolled out its fourth-generation mobile network in the country's domestic market in February, becoming the nation's second telecom operator after the leading rival China Mobile to offer 4G services. The operator plans to start 4G business in about 100 cities across China, but only for wireless network cards rather than handsets. The rate standards, which are in line with those China Mobile unveiled a month ago, provide users with seven different pricing plans from 70 yuan ($11.5) for 1 GB of data traffic per month to 280 yuan ($46.1) for 10 GB of data volume every month.

 China

Chinese Actor Liao Fan won the Silver Bear for Best Actor at the 64th Berlin International Film Festival, the first Chinese actor to ever claim this award. He played the role of Zhang Zili in the film Black Coal, Thin Ice directed by Diao Yinan. The film was also the winner of the Golden Bear, the top jury prize awarded during the film festival.

China

Antarctic Research Base

China has opened a fourth Antarctic research base, Taishan Station, boosting the country's ambition to build itself into a maritime power, said China's State Oceanic Administration in February. The newly-built station is on the East Antarctic inland ice sheet at an altitude of 2,621 meters, measuring 1,000 square meters with its main building 410 square meters. One of the seven international inland research stations on the continent, Taishan Station is located at the site between Zhongshan and Kunlun stations, which were previously built by the Chinese. The yearly average temperature there is about minus 36.6 degrees Celsius.

China

China will reform its pension scheme by unifying the two separate systems for urban and rural residents to allow people better access to social benefits, according to an executive meeting of the State Council, China's cabinet. The move, part of the efforts to address pension payment gaps between urban and rural areas, was announced in a statement issued after the meeting presided over by Premier Li Keqiang. The unified system will build stable expectations for improving livelihood and facilitate population movement, said the meeting statement, adding that it will also boost consumption and encourage more business start-ups. The pension system will serve as a safety net for millions of seniors, according to the statement.

China 

The Chinese Government has promised to increase the education budget for children with disabilities and welcomed private funds. A proper special education system is of great significance to the equality of people with disabilities in social affairs, to improving the well-being of their families and to safeguarding social justice, said Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in a written instruction to a national conference on special education held in January. In the conference, Vice Premier Liu Yandong said governments at all levels must improve the special education system so that children with disabilities receive as good an education as others. Liu urged an inclusive special education system without discrimination to be established. The existing special education schools will receive more investment for improving facilities, teaching programs and teacher training, Liu said. Ordinary schools will also be encouraged to enroll more children with disabilities.