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 Liberia New president, Joseph Boakai, was sworn in after his narrow victory in the November 2023 elections; Boakai, who at the age of 79 became the country's oldest president, promised to unite and save Africa's oldest republic from its economic problems
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 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
Asia Saudi Arabia The Prophet's Mosque in Madinah is furnished with more than 25.000 carpets for the comfort of worshippers and pilgrims, Saudi Press Agency reported, mentioning that carpets in the mosque, its courtyards and roof section are sterilised and perfumed daily
Europe Croatia The Croatian Ministry of Defence has confirmed that it will soon propose compulsory basic military training to take place after high school; the training is expected to last one month, but the date of practical implementation remains uncertain
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
Europe San Marino A new law passed by Parliament aims to ban smartphones and tablets for children under 11, first and foremost in schools but also and possibly in public places, after a group of teachers had denounced an 'educational emergency'
America Dominica Energy Minister Dr. Vince Henderson said the government is ready to start construction of a 10-kilowatt geothermal power plant to supplement the Dominica Electricity Company's power supply
America Belize The Belize government is seeking to revive its ailing citrus and banana industries, crucial for foreign income, as recent data shows declining output, with the need to address challenges like disease, climate change, and excessive fertilization
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
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
America Ecuador The family of Ecuador's most-wanted fugitive, Jose Adolfo Macias "Fito," were arrested in Argentina and deported to Ecuador; Macias, leader of the Los Choneros gang, escaped from prison, triggering gang violence and prompting a state of emergency
Asia Vietnam Bình Duong Province, in Dong Nam Bo region just north of Ho Chi Minh, is committing to accelerate decarbonisation efforts towards a zero-emission future and to help promote sustainable development