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
Africa South Sudan A third group of teachers and school leaders will be sent to China for training under the second phase of the China-supported Education Technical Cooperation Project
Europe Albania Painting in Darkness', a documentary on Lulzim Beqiri, a painter imprisoned during the communist regime because his art did not conform to the ideology of the ruling party, was screened for the first time in Tirana
Europe Poland The EU executive will unlock a total €137 billion in recovery and cohesion funds for Poland, which had been frozen due to concerns about the rule of law
Asia Vietnam The launch of Mr World Vietnam 2024 competition is planned for the first time in the form of a live TV programme; each episode presents a challenge corresponding to a typical competition criterion, such as physical challenge, modelling ability and talent
America Belize The European Union has removed Belize, The Bahamas, and the Turks and Caicos Islands from the EU blacklist of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes
Asia Palestine Calligrapher and photojournalist Bilal Khaled left a 'message to the world' through a large mural he painted on a building in Rafah, entitled 'Buried Dreams'; since 7 October, over 12.400 Palestinian children are estimated to have been killed in strikes
Europe Sweden Approximately 62.000 people are active or have connections to criminal networks in Sweden, according to recent Police estimate
America Saint Vincent and the Grenadines As of 1 March 2024, the National Insurance Services will increase the amount of the minimum weekly pension; over 2.200 pensioners, 24% of the total, will benefit from higher payments
Europe Romania The ninth edition of the Odesa International Literature Festival has started in Bucharest; since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, the event has been organised in cities in the Black Sea region in order not to cancel the event
America Bolivia Facing a severe shortage of US dollars, Bolivia has introduced measures to stimulate investment and exports, including reducing bureaucracy for exports, increasing grain production investment, and facilitating diesel imports
Europe Slovenia The public broadcaster RTV Slovenija recorded revenue of €139,7 million in 2023, while total expenditure reached €146,7 million, resulting in a deficit of almost €7 million
Asia Singapore Singapore hotels and airlines report a surge of up to 30% in regional demand in anticipation of the arrival of American pop star Taylor Swift, who will stop in Singapore for six sold-out shows
Asia United Arab Emirates Mini home farms have a huge impact on psychological well-being and family unity, health and organic farming experts said, urging Emirati residents to grow one in their own home