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
Oceania Solomon Islands The Central Bank of Solomon Islands announced last month a new security technology on the revisions of its $50 and $100 notes
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 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
Europe Norway The Norwegian government detailed plans to ban fur farms by 2025, offering financial compensation to farmers who called it a 'historic betrayal'
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
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
Africa Cameroon A pilot vaccination programme against malaria is underway, the first of its kind in the world and could represent a breakthrough on the African continent
Asia Georgia Tbilisi Tango, a school teaching the iconic Argentine dance, celebrates its 16th anniversary with the 5th Tbilisi Tango Weekend, to be held from 26 to 28 January
America Saint Vincent and the Grenadines A group of American scientists visiting the country to study different animal groups found three new species of Daddy Longlegs, thus doubling the number of known long-legged species on the island
Asia Brunei The new president of the Football Association of Brunei Darussalam has expressed his desire to change the football landscape in the Sultanate for the better, working to support students or football players who have fewer financial opportunities
America Argentina The legislature of the Argentine province of La Rioja is trying to approve the issuance of an alternative currency called "El Chacho", allocating 30% for the payment of state salaries; the proposal has been endorsed by 32 out of 36 legislators
Africa Morocco Bouchra Karboubi, from Morocco, has become the first Arab woman to referee an African Cup of Nations football match, having refereed the match between Nigeria and Guinea Bissau, at the Felix-Houphouet-Boigny stadium in Abidjan
Asia China The number of foreclosed homes increased by 43% y-o-y in 2023, according to a private survey, highlighting a worrying upward trend in mortgage delinquencies against a backdrop of a prolonged slump in the property market and uneven economic recovery