Asia Jordan Increase in container traffic at the Aqaba Container Terminal during the past month, despite regional tensions, reflects Jordan’s growing logistical role in the region with flexible supply chains at Aqaba Port becoming a secure, stable alternative route
America Belize Belize has launched a new digital customs and immigration declaration system for travelers, allowing users to submit details online ahead of time, starting with a three-month pilot at Philip Goldson International Airport
Oceania Kiribati The Pacific Tourism Organisation's Pacific Tourism Data Initiative has completed its first business confidence index survey in Kiribati, providing information on local businesses' views on tourism in the country
Africa Madagascar Dozens of lemurs and over 900 turtles from the country, illegally trafficked into Thailand, are returning to the island, as announced by Madagascar's Ministry of the Environment
Europe Latvia Banks and their branches in Latvia will have to pay a solidarity contribution - 60% of excess profits - over the next three years after a new law on bank super-profits will be introduced next year
Asia Bahrain A proposal to introduce a new health insurance fee for tourist visas was unanimously approved by MPs to ensure that tourists contribute to the national health insurance system during their stay
Europe Austria The Austrian statistical office reported that the country's GDP contracted for the sixth consecutive quarter in the July-September period, continuing the recessive trend that began in Q2 2023
America Peru Spanish CETMAR started a new project in Peru to contribute to the adaptation to climate change of small-scale fisheries in the area of Piura through a strategy focused on diversifying the sector; the first two expert are assessing the marketing approach
Asia Iraq Iraq's Ministry of Communications has signed an agreement with global telecommunications player Vodafone to launch a fully government-owned 5G network
Africa Comoros In a recent interview, Youssouf Ahamada, principal investigator of the Kafaci programme, plant improvement specialist and rice farmer, shared the project's local progress, challenges encountered and hopes for self-sufficiency thanks to adapted varieties
Asia Oman The foundation stone was laid for a new hospital in South Al Sharqiyah; it will be built on a area of 343.000 square meters with a construction area of 58.000, with 170 beds, 38 outpatient clinics and emergency and trauma department
Asia East Timor 'Democracy Bus', organized by the UNDP, acts as a mobile citizenship laboratory, sharing information while travelling around the country, listening to concerns and suggestions of young people and bringing them to the attention of policy-makers
Europe Belarus Maximum fees for paid medical services - appointments and consultations with medical specialists - have been regulated in a Resolution of the Ministry of Health
Asia China A biodegradable sponge capable of removing up to 99,8% of microplastics from water with low-cost and easily accessible raw materials has been developed by Chinese researchers from Wuhan University's School of Resource and Environmental Sciences