America Brazil The federal import tax on international purchases of up to US$ 50 made through e-commerce platforms like Temu, Shein, and AliExpress has been erased; experts say it is a strategic move in view of October's upcoming general elections
Europe Portugal Montijo airport saw the extension of the environmental declaration deadline rejected by the Institute for the Conservation of Nature and Forests ICNF and may no longer be an option to host Lisbon's new airport
Africa Sierra Leone Police are investigating the deaths of three girls aged 12, 13 and 17 who were subjected to female genital mutilation in the country's north-western province; despite calls from activists and human rights advocates, it is still legal in Sierra Leone
America Jamaica Restorative Justice, a Department of the Ministry of Justice, is encouraging Jamaicans of good repute with a passion for nation-building to register to become RJ facilitators, who seek to resolve conflicts by bringing parties to an agreement
Europe Slovakia The country will receive more than €69 million from EU for the construction of the 2nd phase of Presov northern bypass; in a competition involving hundreds of projects, the second highest sum was pre-approved for Slovakia, after a German railway project
Asia Syria Syria and Iraq warned of dangerous consequences following US attacks targeting facilities of Iranian-backed militants in Iraq and Syria
Europe San Marino Don Domenico Beneventi, 50, of the clergy of Acerenza (Potenza), until now parish priest and teacher, will be the Bishop elected to the San Marino-Feretrana Church
Africa Libya The Governor of the Libyan Central Bank, President of the Libyan Audit Bureau and the Chairman of the National Oil Corporation all stressed the need to increase oil production rates
Europe Slovenia A consultative referendum will be held this year to decide whether to build a second nuclear power unit to replace the current one at the Krško nuclear power plant once its lifespan ends in 2043
Europe Poland Controls at the border with Slovakia were extended until 2 March to try to stop illegal migrants entering through Slovakian territory, a transit point for migrants trying to reach Western Europe mostly from the Middle East and Afghanistan
Europe Switzerland Online streaming services offered in Switzerland, such as Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video, have bumped up their subscription fees in recent years, in some cases massively, data published by Moneyland.ch - an online price comparison - reveals
Asia Iran Three satellites were successfully launched for the first time using the carrier rocket developed by the Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics and will be used to test communication and geopositioning technologies
Africa Madagascar The Africa Mercy, Mercy Ships' newly refurbished hospital ship, has arrived in Madagascar and will stay in the country from February to December 2024; it last visited the country in 2015
Oceania Kiribati The Australian defence ship Reliant has delivered two fire engines and various unloaded supplies to the port of Betio in the capital; the cargo will enhance emergency response capabilities on the Tarawa Atoll