Asia Laos New rules for intellectual property protection wereintroduced, allowing businesses to protect industrial designs internationally through a single application under the Hague System; It simplifies registration and administrative procedures, reducing costs
America Dominican Republic The 'More Rights' project was launched to strengthen the participation and impact capabilities of civil society organisations in public agendas and policy dialogues
Europe North Macedonia According to the World Population Review, North Macedonia and Albania had the lowest average IQ in Europe, 81,91 and 81,75 respectively
Africa Sao Tome and Principe The country surpassed the record of 35.000 tourists by registering 35.817 visitors in 2023, with the Portuguese leading the way with almost 50%, according to data revealed by 'Lusa ' from the Directorate of Tourism and Hospitality
Africa Republic of the Congo Closing the proceedings of the 7th government seminar, Prime Minister Anatole Collinet Makosso urged ministers to take action so that 2024 would truly be the year of youth, especially noting that 2026, the end of the term of office, is approaching
Asia Turkey New regulations will be implemented to improve rights and living conditions of seasonal agricultural workers, who will be accommodated in temporary settlement areas, mainly on state-owned land, with housing, infrastructure, sanitation and security guards
Africa Nigeria The head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, has sounded the alarm over the escalation of kidnappings in Nigeria, expressing his solidarity with Nigerians and praying for measures to combat this menace
Africa Sierra Leone In a recent ruling by the disciplinary committee of the Sierra Leone Women's Premier League, the Sierra Leone Police football team was fined for using obscene language and making threatening comments
Asia Pakistan Local production and assembly facilities in Pakistan produced 2,27 million mobile phones in January 2024, of which 0,72 million were 2G phones and 1,55 million were smartphones, a significant increase from the 0,24 million imported phones
Africa Somalia Save the Children called for greater protection of women and girls in Somalia, following the increase in sexual abuse and rape of teenage girls in recent months
Asia Qatar QatarEnergy, the state-owned company of one of the world's largest LNG exporters, is adding another major LNG expansion project to its two ongoing ones, aiming to increase its total LNG export capacity by 85% from current levels by 2030
America Panama Despite handling less cargo due to drought and transit restrictions, Panama Canal's revenues surged by 14,9% to US$4,97 billion in 2023; the Panama Canal Authority attributes the rise to the tolls system implemented in January 2023
Africa Niger The Economic Community of West African States lifted with immediate effect all sanctions imposed on the Republic of Niger, including the closure of its land and air borders with ECOWAS countries
Africa Togo The main destination of Togo's exports in the fourth quarter of 2023 was India, 31,3% of total exports, followed by Burkina Faso, with a share of 8,4% and Mali with 7,4%