America Colombia Abelardo De La Espriella has become the new president-elect of Colombia in a tight run-off; the far-right lawyer was openly backed by US President Trump
Oceania New Zealand Parents and caregivers of young children will be helped to manage the rising cost of living with partial reimbursement of ECE (early childhood education) tuition beginning July 1, with refund of up to 25% of their weekly tuition to a maximum of $75/week
Asia Kuwait The country has announced a three-month amnesty period, that began March 17, 2024 to June 17, 2024, to offer relief to expatriates who have violated the country's residency laws
Asia United Arab Emirates Flu vaccination was made mandatory for Umrah and Hajj pilgrims starting March 26, with Ministry recommending that vaccinations be administered at least 10 days before departure to ensure vaccine efficacy and immunity
Europe Greece Due to financial crisis, a new economic reality has emerged in housing market, with a significant portion of nation's residential inventory now owned by institutional or foreign investors; data reveal 11,3% decline in homeownership rates from 2005 to 2021
Africa Guinea The construction of an alumina refinery by the Alteo Refinery Guinea Company has been declared a Project of National Interest
Asia Kyrgyzstan The goal for 2024-2025 is to install an automated meter reading and monitoring system for all consumers, introducing differentiated electricity tariffs starting then next year; an appropriate regulatory framework is already being prepared
Africa Botswana The 2024 World Happiness Report surprisingly shows that Botswana is one of the unhappiest countries in the world, ranking 137th out of 143, surpassing even coup-affected countries such as Mali and Chad
Asia Cyprus Green tax will be discussed today; it aims at being fiscally neutral, as in the tax reform being implemented there would be compensatory measures studied by the Centre for Economic Research of the University of Cyprus
America Costa Rica Costa Rica has become the world's first country to export coffee free from deforestation; the first shipment has been destined for Italy's Illycaffè
Africa Sudan Faced with questions about his disappearance, the Arabic daily Asharq al-Awsat claims how former Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir was able to move to northern Sudan, to a safe place
Europe Bosnia and Herzegovina Bosnians around the world mourn the death of Sarajevo-born poet and writer Abdulah Sidran, famous for his critically acclaimed screenplays for directors such as Emir Kusturica
Asia Georgia Students across Georgia were introduced to the basics of finance and economics through financial education sessions held by the USAID Project Harmony International Georgia civic education program
Africa Equatorial Guinea As part of its national expansion plan, the National Bank of Equatorial Guinea opened the Cumandaquina agency, in Bata, its 35th agency