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
Africa Madagascar Faced with steady increase in sexual offences, the Council of Ministers has come out in favour of harsher punishments for child rapists and the government is reportedly considering new measures, including life imprisonment, chemical or surgical castration
Africa Malawi Malaria Initiative by the US Presidency has proposed $23 million in funding to support Malawi's Malaria Operational Plan for the 2024 fiscal year
Europe Netherlands The life-size paintings of Marten Soolmans and Oopjen Coppit by Rembrant will soon be sent to Paris, where they will be exhibited in the Louvre for five years; the two-metre high portraits have been in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam for five years
Africa Mauritius The three-day career counselling workshop organised by the Mauritius Polytechnic started at the Ebène Campus, intending to pair up students with industry partners who will explain the profile of jobs in their respective industry and skills required
Africa Nigeria The young Nigerian team, the 'Broomzillas', managed to qualify for the Winter Youth Olympics being held these days in Gangwon, South Korea, becoming the first African curling team to reach the Winter Youth Olympics
Africa South Africa In Kruger National Park, one of Africa's largest game reserves and part of a UNESCO World Heritage site, a new tourist attraction opened not long ago, a stationary train on a bridge that has become a luxury hotel
Africa Somalia Acted is currently providing emergency food assistance to 1425 vulnerable families affected by the devastating rains and flash floods starting in October 2023 which led to the overflowing of the Juba River in the district of Baardheere
Europe Norway The Norwegian government detailed plans to ban fur farms by 2025, offering financial compensation to farmers who called it a 'historic betrayal'
Asia Myanmar Lake Paleik in Singaing municipality and Lake Pyu in TadaU municipality have been designated as the seventh and eighth Flyway Network Sites in the country
Europe Serbia The northern Serbian province of Vojvodina intends to launch a €14,5 million energy efficiency project, supported by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, to upgrade the energy efficiency of some 80 public buildings
Europe Finland A recent survey conducted by the Chambers of Commerce reveals that the vast majority of companies (around 74%) are in favour of the employment measures planned by the Finnish government
Africa Niger The immediate release of the deposed President of Niger, Mohamed Bazoum, was called for by the US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, who emphasised that it was important for 'Niger to get back on the road to democracy'
Europe Czech Republic Almost one fifth of the country's employed population is now made up of foreigners, with over 800.000 people contributing to the Czech labour force; of these, almost 409.800 are from EU countries and 285.545 from Ukraine