Asia North Korea Experience gained by North Korean forces on the battlefields of the Russia-Ukraine war imposes changes in the security calculus on the Korean Peninsula, as NK troops have been exposed to the technology and tactics of modern warfare, UN Commander reveals
Asia China State media said traveller’s Covid-19 testing requirements imposed around the world in response to a surging wave of infections in China and to the fact of no longer publishing daily data were “unfounded” and “discriminatory” to the point of "sabotage"
Africa Namibia Fishermen will not be allowed to fish for kabeljou in Walvis Bay from 1 January to 31 March 2023; the restriction is a conservation measure for kabeljou
Europe Luxembourg The country's minimum wage will increase by 3,2% in January; the Grand Duchy has the highest minimum wage in the European Union, with over 67.000 workers earning the minimum wage
America Honduras The 400-year-old church of St Francis of Assisi in Luquigüe, in the diocese of Yoro, as a valuable cultural and architectural heritage has been destined a donation by the Pope to begin restoration work
Asia South Korea Use-by-date instead of sell-by-date, with milk as only exception, is among the changes expected for 2023 with an impact at daily life level; others include the adoption of global standards of age counting and the abolition of university admission fees
Europe Croatia On 1 January 2023, Croatia becomes the 27th country in the Schengen area, the world's largest visa free zone, with customs and border controls abolished between Croatia and other Schengen member states for persons crossing by road, rail or water
Asia Kyrgyzstan The country will be able to import 10.000 electric vehicles duty-free in 2023 thanks to a tariff exemption decided by the Eurasian Economic Union
Asia Singapore SIA will no longer allow passengers to fly with emotional support dogs from April 2023; Singapore Airlines' policy on assistance dogs, such as guide dogs or hearing dogs, remains unchanged
America Saint Vincent and the Grenadines New Coast Guard base opens on the island of Bequia, supporting the key role of the Coat Guard in maintaining the safety of SVG as well as of visitors
Asia Bhutan In 2022, international tourist arrivals are expected to reach between 55% and 70% of 2019 levels; despite the drop in arrivals, 16.520 tourists have visited the country since the opening of the border in September this year
Europe San Marino Palazzo Begni hosted the annual press conference of the Congress of the State, in which each Secretary of State presents the work done in 2022 and the goals for 2023
Africa Uganda MTN Uganda has announced its sponsorship of the Tooro Kingdom's end of year party to be held today at Fort Portal; the King of Tooro, His Royal Highness King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, will be the chief guest of the party
Asia Lebanon New Year's Eve celebrations will change in Lebanon this year due to a new security plan that aims to eliminate "celebratory gunfire" defined as "delinquent and criminal acts"