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
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
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
Asia Japan The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has issued a health warning due to the spread of A streptococcus bacterial infections that can lead to streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS), with a 30% mortality rate; cases as of 17 March have exceeded half of 2023
America Chile Chile's ambassador to Costa Rica, Margarita Portuguez, met with local Minister of Environment, Franz Tattenbach, to discuss ocean protection, focusing on marine security, fisheries, and strengthening the East Tropical Pacific Marine Conservation Corridor
Oceania Nauru Bendigo Bank is delaying plans to leave Nauru after Bank of China signaled it may move to the Pacific island country as a replacement
Asia Philippines The Department of Health is procuring at least 800.000 doses of vaccine to prevent the further spread of whooping cough through UNICEF
Asia Thailand A target has been set to reduce the annual rate of tuberculosis cases by 5%, as stated by the Ministry of Public Health, which emphasized its worrying incidence in the country
Europe Norway Biologists are providing Arctic foxes, remote dog species on the brink of extinction in Hardangervidda National Park, with feeding programmes; some scientists question whether it makes sense to support animals in landscapes that can no longer sustain them
Asia Syria Damascus is joining the Global Initiative for Artificial Intelligence Governance, launched by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the third Belt and Road Forum, the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates announced
Europe Monaco ClicBus, part of the Mobility Plan launched by the Monegasque government in February, will begin operating on March 25; the new on-demand service is designed to complement existing urban transportation offerings