Asia China Unilateral zero-tariff treatment is now applied to all African countries except Eswatini, which maintains ties with Taiwan; duty-free policy for 33African countries was introduced in 2024, now covers 53 countries and will be in place until 30 April 2028
Europe Malta The application fee for a new Tallinja card will be waived until the end of February, allowing those who do not have a card to apply for one free of charge and start benefiting from free public transport services
America Saint Lucia A tax amnesty programme has been introduced to allow uncollected tax revenue to remain in the pockets of citizens and businesses
Asia Iran Iranians in 15 countries including Canada, the US, Iraq and others in the EU demonstrated as part of the global 'No to Executions' campaign against the increase in death sentences in Iran
Asia Maldives According to a senior official in the Office of the President, the government would be holding talks with an Egyptian contractor for the construction of a bridge connecting Hithadhoo and Hulhumeedhoo in the town of Addu
America Haiti Tipsy's Bar & Grill has reopened in Cap-Haitien, after having been closed a day after a marriage proposal between two women went viral, claiming that violent incidents had been reported; owner said he wanted to welcome all customers without discrimination
America Saint Kitts and Nevis The police opened an investigation into the country's first murder in 2024 in Cayon
Africa Guinea At least five journalists were arrested by gendarmes on 18 January 2024, the day of the demonstration called by the Guinean Union of Press Professionals
Africa Kenya Kenya will abandon the Government to Government agreement, an oil supply deal with 3 national oil exporters in the Gulf launched by President William Ruto last spring in an attempt to halt the Kenyan shilling's freefall against foreign currencies
Asia India Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate today a large Hindu temple in Ayodhya symbolising the country's growing Hindu cultural nationalism, a movement also known as Hindutva, which stands on the site of a mosque demolished in the 16th century
Europe Slovakia Culture Minister Simkovicova stated that the country will resume cooperation with Russia and Belarus, suspended in 2022; Simkovicova's spokesperson stated that there are many ongoin conflicts and that artists and culture shouldn't suffer because of them
Europe Russia A bill to annul a 1956 agreement on fishing rights between the Soviet Union and Great Britain, which granted British fishing vessels the right to operate in certain areas of the Barents Sea, was submitted to Parliament
Europe Vatican City At the Angelus, Pope Francis announced a 'Year of Prayer' in view of 2025 Jubilee and urged the faithful to pray for Christian unity and peace in the world; he also called for the release of a group of people, including nuns, kidnapped last week in Haiti
America Grenada The Grenada Citizenship by Investment Unit announced its role as platinum sponsor of the CARIFTA 2024 Games to demonstrate its commitment to promoting youth development in the region