Oceania Australia Police in New South Wales rejected arming guards at Jewish events; The Australian Jewish Association told the antisemitism royal commission that private security guards at Jewish events should be armed, authorities fear that would further fracture society
Europe Malta Pledges for property sales in Malta increased by 9% in 2023 reaching €4,6 billion according to the Malta Development Association, which called 2023 'the second best year ever' for the domestic property market
Africa Egypt Egypt officially joined the Brics, a group of countries with emerging economies, namely 'emerging national economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa'; President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi welcomed 'the confidence of the Brics member states'
Europe Ireland More than 20 primary schools who reported to be in financial difficulty due to rising costs sought contingency funding from the Department of Education last year; just one school was successful in securing additional funding
Africa Kenya A recent survey found that pollution and poor air quality could worsen the condition of menstruating women; around 65% of women in the country cannot afford the basic necessities to manage their menstrual cycle
Africa Somalia Somalia declared null and void the agreement just signed between Somaliland and Ethiopia to grant the latter access to ports
America Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Residents across several northern villages of St Vincent who have been affected by the water supply disruption are upset and angry by the uneven distribution of water
Asia Lebanon Senior Hamas official Saleh Al-Arouri was among at least six people killed in a suspected Israeli drone strike in the southern Beirut suburb of Dahiyeh; this fact could change the evolution of the ongoing conflict, according to experts
Asia Iraq $697 million have been allocated for Baghdad first metro project, following a delay of several years; the funds cover design studies and project management
Asia Jordan In response to growing environmental concerns, the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority has declared a four months comprehensive suspension of both professional and recreational fishing, ending 30 April, to safeguard reproduction and egg-laying period
America Argentina Argentina has resumed the export of seven previously prohibited beef cuts, including popular choices like asado and vacío, as the decree restricting their international trade, Decree 911/21, expired
Africa Zimbabwe Over one million tourists were received between January and September 2023, +52% compared to 2022; in 2024, the country will host the 56th Session of ECA Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development
Europe Vatican City Twenty missionaries lost their lives across the world through violent death this year, two more than in 2022, according to Vatican Fides News Agency
Oceania Vanuatu Vuster Kalhu, farmer in Santo, is expressing his concerns about the growing threat of the fall armyworm and the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetles affecting the country's agriculture