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
Asia Myanmar More Rohingya refugees fleeing Myanmar or Bangladesh died or went missing in 2023 than in the last ten years, according to statements by UNHCR
America Canada The massive hull of a seemingly ancient ship has appeared along the southwestern tip of Newfoundland; the wreck has attracted a stream of local admirers examining curved planks and wooden dowels, and sparked curiosity upon its history
Africa Liberia President Joseph Boakai has decreed substance abuse as a 'national health emergency' as 'the drug epidemic, particularly the use of kush, is disturbing'
Asia China The demographic decline in 2023 - negative record of 9,02 million children - reflects challenges like declining labour force, marriages and fertility rate, but it could be due to the horoscope, as 2023 was the year of the rabbit, considered not very lucky
Africa Mali The military regimes in power in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger issued a joint statement announcing their immediate exit from the Economic Community of West African States, an international organisation that includes 12 other countries and among other thing
Asia Japan 40 female participants have formally applied and will for the first time take part in the 'naked man festival', thus changing a 1650-year-old tradition; the event will take place at the Konomiya temple, Inazawa, on 22 February
America Uruguay Uruguay received praise from NASA for its impressive strides in integrating wind energy, highlighting the Peralta wind farm in Tacuarembó as a symbol of the country's rapid progress, increasing its wind energy share from 1% to 34% in 5 years
Oceania Samoa Apia will focus on the prevention of meth use, with special focus on the involvement of adolescents and minors; the Mayor assured the issue won't be taken lightly by village chiefs and Aumagas and urged the police to strengthen their role
Oceania Micronesia Kailua arboriculturist Kevin Eckert is working to help the local government save a Pacific treasure on the World Heritage list, the Nan Madol, an archaeological stone complex in Pohnpei dating back thousands of years, threatened by invasive mangroves
America Peru Peruvian police attacked protesters opposing the privatization of Machu Picchu's entrance fees; protesters seek the annulment of an alleged irregular contract between the Ministry of Culture and Joinnus for ticket sales
Africa Mozambique An incident of police brutality caught on video has sparked outrage and concern recently, causing tensions between Mozambique and neighbouring Malawi, but there are signs that both countries are acting quickly to address the problem
Oceania Tuvalu Kausea Natano, outgoing Prime Minister, lost his seat in the national Parliament after the national elections; Natano was in favour of Taiwan's independence, and had thus made Tuvalu one of the countries in the world to recognise its sovereignty
Europe Montenegro Legal expert Milorad Markovic has been appointed as the country's new chief prosecutor, over two years after the retirement of the previous prosecutor, Ivica Stankovic