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 United Arab Emirates The United Arab Emirates announced the launch of the Women in Nuclear Middle East Chapter, a non-profit organisation for women working professionally in the nuclear energy and technology sector
Europe Iceland Reykjavík City Council approved a 3-year pilot project to delay school start times for teens: from autumn 2024, classes will begin no earlier than 8.50AM; this is the result of studies on teen sleep duration linking mental health decline and sleep deficit
Africa Liberia The Environmental Justice Foundation, an organization implementing the EU-funded Communities fisheries project, has concluded a community event commemorating the EU and Liberia's 50 years of partnership, with hundreds of fishermen competing for prizes
Asia Japan Tokyo Disneyland has apologised after clips of Minnie Mouse having her skirt lifted by another character during a recent Christmas parade went viral on social media, with some sharply criticising the gesture as sexual harassment
America United States The US vetoed the UN Security Council resolution calling for a 'humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza' and describing the humanitarian situation as 'catastrophic', despite pressure from Secretary-General Antonio Guterres
Europe Poland Vegan products may soon not be allowed to use labels with the words 'meat', according to a draft decree of the Ministry of Agriculture that plans to exclude the use of terms such as 'ham', 'smoked meat' and 'sausage' for vegan products
Africa Guinea Colonel Mamadi Doumbouya changed the chairmanship of the board of directors of the National Social Security Fund, putting Brigadier General Mamadou Dian Diallo, second section, in the role, in addition to being advisor to the President of the Republic
America Mexico Due to financial constraints amid a record year for migration, Mexico's immigration agency, led by Francisco Garduño, has suspended deportations and migrant transfers, with the finance ministry attributing it to budget adjustments
America Panama In a record-breaking surge, over 500.000 migrants, predominantly Venezuelans, have crossed the Darien jungle from Colombia to Panama this year, double the 2022 figure, prompting the Panamanian government to establish aid centers
Asia Iraq A missile attack on the US embassy in Baghdad caused minor damage but no casualties Friday morning, US and Iraqi officials said
Oceania Nauru Four golds in weightlifting have lifted Nauru to the 9th place at the 2023 Pacific Games
America Jamaica The Percy Junor Hospital is the latest health facility to benefit from upgrades and customer service training under the Ministry of Health and Wellness' Compassionate Care Programme
Africa Malawi The government of Malawi and the World Bank signed a Malawi Social Protection Multi Donor Trust Fund that focused on the support of vulnerable people