America Cuba International investors can now build and fully own tourism facilities: to reverse the dramatic fall in tourism, authorities have eliminated the requirement for foreign groups to form a joint venture with the Cuban state to manage their tourism activities
Asia Saudi Arabia 'Our Guests are Our Priority' initiative aims to improve the quality of services offered to national and international tourists throughout the Kingdom by strengthening the adherence of accommodation facilities to licensing and classification standards
Europe Serbia Plans are underway to demolish the Hotel Jugoslavija built after the war in the New Belgrade neighbourhood, depriving Belgrade of another historical landmark, as art historian Marko Stojanovi stated
Africa Somalia Turkey will start deepwater oil drilling operations from April 2025 off the Somali coast, announced Somali Minister of Petroleum and Minerals, Abdirisakh Omar Mohamed
America Guatemala 135 Nicaraguan political prisoners released by Ortega's government, including student leaders, religious figures, and human rights defenders have been welcomed in Guatemala; the country will provide shelter, food, and medical care as they seek asylum
Oceania Solomon Islands The World Bank Country Office is working with the Ministry of Health and Medical Services to review procurement processes and evaluate the effectiveness of supply chain management
Asia Thailand A QR Licence mobile application has been introduced by Thailand's Department of Land Transport so that motorists will no longer need to carry their driving licence
Europe Slovenia Data published by the Statistical Office ahead of European Mobility Week show that CO2 emissions from road traffic have increased by 25% from 2008 to 2022; by the end of 2023, approximately 1,2 million passenger cars were registered and 2 million citizens
America Honduras The "Zero Deforestation by 2029" plan has been launched in Honduras, involving the armed forces to combat illegal activities like logging and land use by criminal groups in protected areas
America El Salvador President Nayib Bukele announced that the 2025 budget will not rely on external financing or debt issuance, marking the first time in decades that the country will fully fund its current expenditures without borrowing
Asia Tajikistan In a move to combat extremism, the country, where 96% of the population is Muslim, has imposed a complete ban on women wearing the hijab; previously, the hijab had been banned in schools since 2007 and in public institutions since 2009
Africa Tanzania Tanzanian Prime Minister Majaliwa presented a series of investment reports outlining progress in creating a more investment and business-friendly environment in the country
Africa Sao Tome and Principe A €15 million loan agreement has been signed with Portugal by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Communities at a critical time for the country, which is facing a complex economic and financial situation
Asia Singapore Students who perform well in their mother tongue in the primary school leaving examination will have the opportunity to study their mother tongue at secondary school from 2026 onwards, thus eliminating the minimum score limit now present