Asia Philippines A persistent infestation of soft scale insects continues to threaten Philippines’s sugar industry, damaging crops and reducing yields in key producing provinces; Authorities are expanding monitoring and pest-control measures to contain the outbreak
Europe Germany The draft of a new law would allow foreigners residing in Germany to obtain citizenship without having to renounce their original nationality
Europe Belarus A law on asset forfeiture was published on the website of the National Register of Legal Information, adopted in view of the need to respond immediately and effectively to existing threats to the national interests of Belarus
Asia Thailand Over 3.000 elephants are used for tourism in the country, more than anywhere else, almost all privately owned; the collapse of tourism during pandemic had a crucial impact on their owners, many of whom no longer earn enough to care for them
Oceania Fiji Port Denarau Marina's chief executive officer has advised boaters to keep an eye on warnings issued by the Fiji Meteorological Service in light of the heavy rains that are affecting the Fiji Group
Europe Czech Republic The Czech retail market once again proved its attractiveness for retail brands, with 38 new arrivals last year, the same figure as in 2021 but an increase of around 50% compared to 2019 and 2020
Africa Ivory Coast Among 148 cultural works asked to France is the Djidji Ayôkwé, a priceless 'talking drum', confiscated in 1916 and currently kept at the Musée du Quai Branly in Paris, ready to return to the country
Europe Spain Spanish national police arrested Michael J. Pratt, one of FBI's 10 most wanted criminals, listed as a fugitive in September after being accused of sex crimes in connection with his websites GirlsDoPorn and GirslDoToys
America Grenada The Grenada Tourism Authority reports that for the third consecutive month, visitor arrivals have recorded a significant increase compared to the base year of 2019
Africa South Sudan Media rights groups have called on the South Sudanese authorities to release six journalists, detained after a video was leaked showing President Salva Kiir urinating on himself
Asia Laos The country recorded the highest number of accidents in the capital Vientiane in 2022, over 1.000, with most accidents caused by speeding
Oceania Tuvalu Speaker of the Tuvalu Parliament Samuelu Penitala Teo will meet President Tsai Ing-wen during his visit to Taiwan in 8-12 January, according to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Europe Slovakia Footballer Hamšík, addiction expert Okruhlica and Canadian-Slovak photographer Dojč are just some of the 28 personalities to whom President Čaputová conferred state honours
Asia Nepal Forecasters predict no rain until the end of January, with warm, dry westerly winds that will affect winter crop production