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 Eritrea Eritrean citizens living in various countries made monetary contributions to support the families of the martyrs and to increase the Martyrs' Trust Fund; in total, 7.330 Swiss francs, 3.960€, 1.000 Canadian dollars and 89.000 nakfa were collected
America Bolivia Bolivia enhanced its customs control at the Chilean border with the opening of the upgraded Integrated Control Area of the Border Customs Administration in Pisiga, aiming to expedite the process for goods entering the country from overseas
Africa Egypt Nevin Al-Kilani, Minister of Culture, yesterday opened the activities of the 'Day of Palestinian Culture and Heritage' at the 55th Cairo International Book Fair, organised by the Egyptian Ministry of Culture, in support of the Palestinian cause
Europe Ireland The Dublin City Centre Transport Plan, which aims to end the dominance of cars on city streets by reducing their routes and creating new civic squares, was overwhelmingly approved by the public, with over 80% in favour
Asia Iraq The country imposed a ban on eight local commercial banks preventing them from participating in dollar transactions, with the aim of reducing fraud, money laundering and more illicit uses of the US currency
America Belize The first electric bus arrived in Belize, marking progress in the Electric Mobility Pilot Project, a transformative initiative funded by the European Union
Europe Vatican City Pope Francis expressed his condolences for the death of Antonio Paolucci, former director of the Vatican Museums and prominent art historian
Europe Iceland Birnir was the most popular name given to newborns in Iceland in 2023 (30 male babies), while Emilía was the most popular name given to baby girls, according to data published by Registers Iceland
America Ecuador Over 4.800 individuals have been detained in Ecuador since President Daniel Noboa declared a state of internal armed conflict around a month ago
Asia Maldives The Parliament accepted the bill to ban national elections during the month of Ramadan and appointed a special committee to examine it; the bill was tabled ahead of the parliamentary elections to be held on 17 March
Europe Lithuania A new military facility was officially opened in Rokantiškės, built in 3 years under a public-private partnership agreement worth €74 million; it will house the Duke Vaidotas Infantry Battalion and is the first of three facilities to be opened this year
Asia Indonesia The president of the Indonesian Medical Association stated that of the total 226.190 doctors in Indonesia, about 160.000 reside in western Indonesia, underlining a problem that the health system has been facing for a long time
Africa Lesotho A new $72 million project has been launched to protect the livelihoods of Lesotho's wool and mohair farmers, thereby supporting 225.000 rural inhabitants who are struggling to cope with the impacts of climate change and other challenges