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
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
Oceania Tuvalu Taiwan's Foreign Ministry emphasised Sunday the strength of its relations with Tuvalu, amid speculation that the Pacific island country might follow Nauru and pass diplomatic recognition to China
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
Europe Monaco The second edition of 'La Semaine de l'Ecole inclusive' (Inclusive Schools Week) took place in 78 classrooms throughout the Principality and children from the Prince Albert II Leisure Centre participated in workshops on the theme of disability
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
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
America Trinidad and Tobago The T&T Police Service Social and Welfare Association has cooperated with Crime Stoppers to increase the reward for any information that may lead to the arrest and prosecution of the men responsible for the murder of police officer Ravindra Harrinarine
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
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
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
Africa Tunisia A further regression in terms of human rights and the rule of law was recorded during 2023, in the absence of real checks and balances against the power of President Kais Saied, as the NGO Human Rights Watch states in its World Report 2024
Africa Ivory Coast A bill to protect the elephants, the country's symbol, has been adopted; compared to about 3.000 in the 1970s and 1980s, there are now only about 500, thus wildlife sanctuaries will be created in national parks and reserves