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
Asia East Timor National Sandalwood and East Timor Forestry Day was celebrated by the Korea Forest Service by planting sandalwood with local officials; the country's national tree has not only economic, but historical and cultural importance for the Timorese people
America El Salvador 88% of Salvadorans did not use Bitcoin in 2023 - an Institute of Public Opinion study reveals - despite the cryptocurrency being legal tender alongside the US dollar in El Salvador
Oceania New Zealand From 1 April 2024 electric vehicles will have to pay road user charges (RUC); initially exempted, electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids inclusion is the first step in fulfilling the National-ACT coalition's commitment to include all vehicles in RUC system
Africa Eritrea Flynas will start today, 17 January, weekly direct flights linking Asmara and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia
America Guatemala Bernardo Arévalo has officially assumed the Guatemalan presidency after an eight-hour delay, marked by chaotic parliamentary sessions, as leaders including Colombia's Gustavo Petro and Mexican Foreign Minister Alicia Bárcena expressed support
Oceania Marshall Islands A state of emergency has been declared for Kili Island due to food and fuel shortages caused by mismanagement of trust fund covering expenses; local government of Kili-Bikini-Ejit represents the population exiled by the nuclear tests in the Bikini Atoll
Asia Cambodia Puy Du Fou, a French theme park operator, has expressed interest in launching an innovative 3D 'Immersive Angkor' museum in Cambodia
Africa Mozambique Mozambique's health authorities vaccinated more than 2,2 million people against cholera in five days in the districts most affected by the current outbreak of the disease, which corresponds to practically complete coverage of the programme
America Honduras In 2023, Honduras experienced a 40,4% decrease in deportations, with 56.172 individuals repatriated, including 11.220 children, as reported by the National Institute of Migration
Africa Egypt The country remains Africa's leading military power, according to 2024 edition of the ranking of world's most powerful armies published by the US defence industry website, Global fire power, ranking 15th globally, out of a total of 145 countries analysed
Africa Democratic Republic of the Congo The Democratic Republic of Congo's ruling party, the Union for Democracy and Social Progress, headed by President Felix Tshisekedi, won a majority of seats in the December parliamentary elections and can therefore form a government
America Costa Rica Costa Rica and the United Arab Emirates have achieved a groundbreaking pact with the Comprehensive Economic Partnership on Trade and Investment, granting Costa Rican exporters preferential access to a market of 10 million consumers
America Colombia After 24 hours of heavy rain landslides in Colombia's Chocó region have claimed at least 37 lives, devastating the Quibdó-Medellín road and triggering a massive response from national authorities