Africa Seychelles Parents whose autistic children didn't meet medical assessment criteria for support in November 2024 - June 2026 will now be eligible for assistance under the Children Neurodivergent Disorder Needs Scheme CNDNS, introduced by government in July 2026
Asia Taiwan Compulsory military service, mandatory for male citizens over 18, will be extended from four months to a year starting in 2024
Oceania Palau Construction of Independent Power Producer solar/battery project in Palau to be completed by April 2023; Solar Pacific Energy Corporation won tender to become first independent power producer to supply solar power to Palau Public Utilities Corporation
Asia Cyprus Turkish Cypriot medias report the police seized several packets containing a total of 75 kilograms of cannabis that washed up on the beach between Dec 18 and Jan 1; authorities ask the public not to handle any such packets they may spot on the beach
Africa Tanzania Tanzania Revenue Authority recorded Sh2,77 trillion (€1,1 billion) in tax collections in December 2022, the highest monthly collection recorded since the authority was formed in 1996
Asia Saudi Arabia Souq Al-Zal, a seasonal traditional market in Riyadh, will close today; a symbol of the Kingdom, it brings together its past and present giving the younger generation a chance to experience the life of decades ago
America Peru The country's Constitutional Court has ordered the demolition of a 10-kilometre wall that separates a rich neighbourhood of Lima from a poor one, ruling it discriminatory and unacceptable to divide its people by social classes
Africa Somalia Local media have reported at least twenty casualties in clashes between protesters and Somaliland's security forces in Laascaanood, the capital of Sool region; internet and phone lines have now been cut off by Somaliland's security forces in the city
Europe Albania Albania joins Serbia in agreeing to offer Chinese citizens visa-free travel – the only two countries in the region to do this
Africa Madagascar Since reopening borders in April 2022, tourism in Madagascar is slowly regaining momentum; despite an undeniable attraction as a destination for its one of a kind biodiversity, the island only welcomed three times less visitors than pre pandemic
Africa Togo News of China reopening its borders and scrapping quarantine for incoming passengers has been welcomed by Togolese traders who can start rescheduling the trips to their first supply market instead of placing blind orders as forced to do for two years
Africa Morocco Morocco bans travelers from China in a bid to stave off a possible new wave of coronavirus infections; the restrictions are extended to all people arriving from China regardless of their nationality
Africa Mauritius Mauritius has begun talks with Britain on the sovereignty of the disputed Chagos archipelago and the latest developments are ‘very encouraging’, said PM Pravind Jugnauth in his New Year address
Africa Malawi The opening of public schools has been delayed in the two major cities of Blantyre and Lilongwe to try to slow down a surge in cholera deaths, as the mortality rate of the current outbreak has reached 3,34%