Asia Turkey Ankara is preparing for NATO Summit scheduled for 7–8 July 2026, the second hosted by Turkey with the one in Istanbul in 2004; this year's non-NATO guest list comprises East-Asian and Pacific powers, the absence of the central Asian block stands out
Asia Thailand The Thai National Identity Committee has announced that Thailand will officially recognise the iconic 'wai' gesture, a traditional Buddhist greeting of joining palms in a prayer-like gesture, as a fundamental part of its national identity
Oceania Nauru The island's main phosphate mines were closed in the 1980s, although phosphate mining and exports resumed in 2005; the government estimates that the secondary deposits have a remaining life of about 30 years, but the island's landscape has been devastated
America Jamaica Professional services were commissioned to conduct an assessment of the Jamaica brand to develop a national brand strategy, while the Prime Minister called on all Jamaicans to do their part to protect the Jamaica brand
Europe Latvia Geologists have chosen the Gūdu Cliffs, a sandstone formation on the Gauja River that looks like the front of a ship jutting into the water, as the geo-location of the year 2024, the University of Latvia announced
Asia Pakistan Pakistan's Supreme Court rejected an attempt by former Prime Minister Imran Khan's party to retain its traditional election symbol, a cricket bat, in the latest setback for the jailed leader ahead of the general election
Africa Tanzania The country will participate, for the first time in its history, in Venice Art Biennale 2024, from 20 April to 24 November; Tanzania pavilion will be hosted in the Fabbrica del Vedere with artists Happy Robert, Naby, Haji Chilonga and Lute Mwakisopile
Europe Slovenia The country will participate in the proceedings starting next month, in which the UN General Assembly will request an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice on the legality of Israel's actions in the occupied Palestinian territories
America United States The FAA will audit Boeing 737 Max 9 production lines and would be considering the use of an independent third party to oversee Boeing’s inspections and its quality system after a recent accident added to the number of security issues of the aircraft
Europe Slovakia The International Women's Club of Bratislava, founded in 1991, now brings together 110 women from over 30 countries around the world, along with the established circle of Slovak women
Europe Luxembourg The number of new cars registered in Luxembourg rose last year by 16%, after a historic drop in 2022, although volumes remain below pre-pandemic levels and delays continue to affect vehicle delivery
Asia South Korea In 2024 more “mobile museums” - containers equipped for immersive experience stationing at schools and institutions - will allow underprivileged students, people with disabilities and seniors to feel what it is like touring cultural heritage
America Bolivia On January 11th, Bolivia celebrated the ancestral activity of chewing of coca leaves, known as the "Day of Acullico" — President Luis Arce, a proponent of removing coca leaves from the list of controlled substances, led the ceremony in major cities
Asia Jordan HRH Crown Prince Hussein attended the launch of the Jordan-Singapore Tech Alliance Forum in the frame of the official Royal visit to Singapore, which aims at enhancing partnership and collaboration between the two nations