Asia Bahrain 394.000 visitors have been registered in state-run heritage sites in January-August 2026, with the Bahrain Fort accounting for 246.409, nearly two thirds of the total, and foreign visitors prevailed with the presence of 187.567 people
America Cuba Economic hardship and the pandemic have driven many young Cubans to take refuge in the religion, including a cult that began as a brotherhood of protection among Carabali slaves who worked as stevedores in Havana's port nearly 200 years ago
Europe Portugal A social internet tariff has come into force in the country, i.e. €6,15 per month (VAT included) for low-income households; the Portuguese government estimates that it will cover 780.000 potential beneficiaries
Asia Pakistan The country reported 52.894 cases and 224 deaths from dengue fever in 2021, according to the Ministry of National Health Services, the highest numbers in the last three years
Europe Estonia The central government has allocated some 381 million euros to local governments to support the operation and maintenance of general education schools next year, and a new measure to be introduced is support for the culture backpack
Africa Malawi Thembisire Munthali, a 14-year-old girl and the brightest pupil at Ngwenya Primary School in the capital Lilongwe, says she is the person whose family leans on fighting poverty through education
Africa Ivory Coast The reopening of the university campuses of Abobo, port-Bouet and Vridi have been announced in the traditional speech of 31 December of the President Alassane Ouattara as priorities for the full return of in-person learning in the country
Asia China Meticulous plans to prevent an outbreak of Covid-19 at the Olympics by sealing off all participants within a 'closed circuit' for the upcoming Winter Olympics are being tested by the emergence of the highly contagious Omicron variant
Europe Netherlands Amsterdam's city council has bought nine buildings in the red-light district after negotiations lasting more than a year and they will be managed by a non-profit company in a bid to curb the rise of budget tourism in the oldest part of the capital
Europe Vatican City To open the year, Pope Francis made a strong appeal during his homily during the holy Mass at the Vatican to stop violence against women, recalling that the "Church is both mother and woman"
Africa Zimbabwe The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority has extended fuel procurement licenses by two weeks, stating that the measure is taken to ensure adequate supply of fuel on the market and that after 15 Januar companies will be allowed to import with a new license
Asia United Arab Emirates Sharjah's new beach will also feature a professional skatepark, 'KOTA Skatepark', with ramps for all levels and severa different roller sports including skateboarding, roller skating, scooter and motocross biking
Asia Japan A record number of 52 Japanese tech startups is showcasing at CES 2022, the world's most influential tech event, opening today in Las Vegas, USA
America Antigua and Barbuda Antigua and Barbuda China Friendship Association hosted an award ceremony at Government House for the winners of the Beijing 2022 Painting Competition; out of over 1.000 entries from 11 countries, Antigua produced 6 winning entries from secondary schools