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
Europe Belgium In an attempt to tackle the challenge of decommissioning nuclear power plants and managing radioactive waste, Belgian researchers are developing a state-of-the-art metal melting furnace to reduce the radioactive waste content in metals
America Bahamas Priscilla Jasmine Rollins, affectionately known as the Queen of Soul from the Bahamas, best known for her hits "Independence Morning" and "Gat a Letter from Miami" has died
Africa Benin Cotonou has awarded Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, a leading engineering construction company, a high-end contract for the rehabilitation of access roads and crossings in the commercial city
Africa Chad The country has declared a 'state of food and nutrition emergency' throughout its territory, while more than half a million refugees fleeing the war in Sudan have poured in over the past ten months
Africa Angola Angola's central bank has begun a digital transformation project to modernise its technological infrastructure: implementing the latest innovations, it will replace the legacy system and introduce new functionalities critical to its operations
Europe Belarus The Minsk metro transported 234 million passengers in 2023, +8 million (or 3,5%) compared to 2022; in 2023, the metro improved energy efficiency by 3,9%, exceeding the energy saving target of 3,4% in 2023
America Nicaragua The US restricted visas for over 100 Nicaraguan municipal officials, citing their role in President Daniel Ortega's government, condemning the alleged fraudulent 2021 reelection, and accusing the regime of a crackdown on opposition
Asia Israel The Defence Minister and the War Cabinet Minister have openly opposed PM Netanyahu's decision to go along with National Security Minister's request to restrict Arab-Israeli worshippers on the Temple Mount during Ramadan
Europe Andorra According to data from Superior Council of Justice, corresponding to the end of the 2023 judicial year, there were a total of 6.111 'live' proceedings; for years, the Superior Council of Justice has been calling for more resources to decongest the system
Europe Austria Border controls with the Czech Republic will be extended until at least mid-April, Austrian broadcaster ORF reported, citing government sources; they had been introduced last October as measures in the fight against international smuggling organisations
America Antigua and Barbuda Melinda Simon, Senior Facilitator at the National Office of Disaster Services, urged the community to take disaster information more seriously, citing a worrying lack of awareness among residents
America Panama Local environmentalists have criticized the government for its inaction in closing the copper mine operated by Minera Panamá, emphasizing that it is putting the area at risk and increasing the country's vulnerability to international arbitrations
Europe Bulgaria An atlas of immovable cultural heritage in Bulgaria is now available on the website of the National Institute for Immovable Cultural Heritage and includes all Bulgarian sites on the World Heritage List and the Register of Archaeological Reserves