America Cuba International investors can now build and fully own tourism facilities: to reverse the dramatic fall in tourism, authorities have eliminated the requirement for foreign groups to form a joint venture with the Cuban state to manage their tourism activities
Asia Saudi Arabia Hanan Elatr, widow of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, will receive political asylum in the United States after, according to several investigations, her husband was killed on the orders of her country's government
Africa Madagascar According to the Commune Urbaine d'Antananarivo, there are 4.500 buses per day in the 6 arrondissements of the city, with little more than 350 km of road available for vehicles, and around 200.000 private cars, creating a growing traffic jam
Europe Latvia Keeping dogs on a chain could be soon banned following amendments to the animal protection law passed by the Saeima at second reading on 21 December
Europe Luxembourg People found begging on the streets of Luxembourg's capital city will, as of mid-January, be sentenced to pay a fine of up to €250 or risk several days in prison by decision of the city council
Asia Mongolia A total of 40 volunteers appointed by the Seoul Metropolitan Government will work in Mongolia for three months, in volunteer activities organised together with students from two secondary schools and universities
Europe Czech Republic 14 victims and the 24-year-old perpetrator were killed in the mass shooting at Charles University in Prague, the most serious episode in modern times; pictures and videos of students running for safety have travelled the globe
Asia Maldives The development of new residential buildings to accommodate people living in the Male' Hiyaa and Sinamale' flats in the city of Male' and the suburb of Vilimale' will begin in February next year
Africa Uganda The armed forces have been ordered by President Yoweri Museveni to reactivate Local Defence Units to be deployed in several national parks in western Uganda following increased insecurity in the area
Asia Turkmenistan Freight transport by the ships of the Turkmenistan Merchant Navy fleet in the period January-November 2023 increased by 21,6% compared to the same period in 2022 and amounted to 2,06 million tonnes
America United States Hundreds of false bomb threats that were emailed over the last few days to Jewish facilities across the US are believed to be connected and originating from outside the country, according to the FBI
Asia North Korea Kim Jong Un said he would not hesitate to launch nuclear weapons against the United States in response to a 'nuclear provocation', according to state media reports that Kim met with soldiers responsible for this week's long-range missile test
Europe Switzerland In the midst of a strong COVID-19 wave, COVID cases overtake those of influenza, according to the Federal Office of Public Health; the wave, started in August, intensified at the beginning of November and the latest figures indicate a high level increase
Africa Kenya Kenyan-born actress Lupita Nyong'o, 40, was chosen to chair the jury of the upcoming Berlin Film Festival, thus becoming the first black person to hold this position in the 74-year history of the Berlinale