Europe Spain A massive counterfeit perfume factory has been dismantled; the plant produced tens of thousands of liters of counterfeit fragrances, imitations of around fifty luxury brands, to be marketed to the rest of Europe via France
Africa Gabon The Women’s Rise Observatory, with Business & Professional Women Gabon BPW Gabon and the Bank for Commerce and Entrepreneurship of Gabon BCEG, launched 'Rising Star Gabon 2026' aiming to identify, support and promote projects led by women entrepreneurs
Africa Eritrea Walta Awards, cultural and arts competitions organized by the Ministry of Defense ended at Cinema Roma in Asmara with the victory of Egri-Mekel troupe from the Central Command, it covered dance, music, theater, directing, painting and narrative
America Nicaragua Dozens of prisoners have been freed, including some political detainees, to mark 19 years of Ortega’s rule in Nicaragua amid mounting pressure from other countries for the release of unjustly held individuals
America Ecuador Several illegal mining camps in the Andean province of Imbabura have been destroyed; military operations in the area have intensified following deadly attacks by armed groups linked to ex-FARC dissidents and local gangs
Africa Burundi A 5 year Tourism Marketing Plan has been launched to boost international arrivals, strengthen tourism offer and raise Burundi's profile as a safe and welcoming destination, with an improved access and hospitality infrastructure and better access roads
Europe Spain Spain consistently ranks as the world's second-most visited country after France and surpassed Italy in terms of tourism value; strategic investments and broader economic strength have elevated the sector to a higher financial and quantitative level
Europe Belarus President Lukashenko has extended his congratulations to tennis player Aryna Sabalenka on her victory at the 2026 Brisbane International and her brilliant start to the new tennis season, BelTA reported from the head of state’s press service
Europe Moldova Moldova has been selected to host its first European Digital Innovation Hub, a major step in the digital transformation of local businesses; under the initiative a total of 2 million euros will be invested to support the digitalization of enterprises
Europe Kosovo An investigation into large-scale fraud at the Kosovo Insurance Bureau has resulted in the arrest of 39 people, including two former officials, over allegedly manipulated traffic accident compensation claims
Europe Austria Major changes have come into force in Austria in 2026 concerning vehicles and transport: reform of motorway tolls, a strengthening of environmental measures and a more restrictive management of heavy goods traffic along the Brenner corridor
Europe Bosnia and Herzegovina Despite the January 9 celebrations being ruled unconstitutional, the Bosnian Serb entity, Republika Srpska, again marked the day with a mass parade in Banja Luka
Asia Taiwan Thunder Tiger, a major Taiwan’s manufacturer of radio-controlled aircraft and drones, has expanded into unmanned surface vessels and is seeking both domestic and overseas defense contracts
Africa Mali Redefining environmental decentralization, Malian government adopted two decrees transferring new powers to local authorities in the areas of sanitation, pollution control, and forest and wildlife resource management