Oceania Marshall Islands The fish aggregation devices FADs that fishing boats use to make catches easier, lately equipped with satellite communications gear to pinpoint location, are now being built by drug cartels that wrap packs of cocaine and radio transponders to trace troves
America El Salvador The country has temporarily suspended taxes on gas; gas stations that still charge taxes to their customers have started to be heavily fined by authorities for non respecting the decree
Asia Laos The government has issued new legislation authorising the export of natural wood products, with the aim of increasing wood production and processing, as well as providing favourable conditions for the export of natural wood abroad
Africa Republic of the Congo Musician Zao celebrates his 40-year musical career this year: today, he will be in concert at the Centro Culturale Zola for this celebration
America Costa Rica The country has ended its state of emergency for Covid-19 pandemic and the vaccination certificate will be no longer be required to enter Costa Rica
Oceania Vanuatu Luganville City Council is completing digitalization, so that business owners and residents can pay their taxes, permits and bills electronically
Africa Lesotho Government officials, civil servants, students from several schools in the vicinity of Thaba-Bosiu have planted five thousand indigenous trees in Ha Ntsane, Thaba-Bosiu, part of the government's effort to restore the ecosystem
Africa Zimbabwe Parliament is debating an amendment to the Law on Private Voluntary Organisations that seriously threatens the right to freedom of association in the country, with human rights bodies concerned about the negative impact
Europe Greece The Athens metro and tram operator, STASY, has announced changes to its usual service due to the military and student parades that will take place on Thursday and Friday, on the occasion of Greek Independence Day on 25 March
Africa Equatorial Guinea After over 10 trucks loaded with round timber and prohibited species were stopped on the Mongomo-Bata highway a few days ago, the Vice-President showed his indignation towards the timber companies for their violation of the legislation
Oceania Solomon Islands Seven members of the UK emergency medical team currently in the country were released from quarantine this week and began their work yesterday in response to Covid-19 at provincial level
Europe Malta 60.000 tourists visited Malta in January, a significant increase on the same month last year, but far from pre-pandemic levels; hoteliers and Malta International Airport are pressing to lift all remaining travel restrictions
Asia North Korea The country's start-up scene is still "relatively basic" and any business with "some degree of innovation" could be considered a start-up, according to a Singapore-based non-profit group that is helping train North Koreans in entrepreneurship
Africa Mauritius The Economic Development Board Mauritius has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry to increase bilateral trade and investment opportunities across strategic sectors