Asia Myanmar Peace talks with several smaller ethnic armed organizations have been promoted by Myanmar’s military government as evidence of ongoing national reconciliation; Critics argue the discussions exclude many of the country’s most powerful resistance groups
Europe Kosovo Long-awaited EU visa liberalization scheme allowing Kosovo nationals to travel without a visa comes into force today January, 1 2024; Kosovars can travel to the passport-free Schengen zone without a visa for periods of up to 90 days in any 180-day period
Europe Spain The country ends its presidency of the European Union today to cede this role to Belgium
America Dominican Republic The Embassy of the Dominican Republic in Jamaica donated a fully equipped computer room, with 15 computers, 30 chairs, a multifunction printer-scanner and a new air-conditioning unit, to the Clan Carthy primary school
Europe United Kingdom Eurostar will run all services to London, Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam today Sunday 31 following a day of major disruption caused by the flooding in a tunnel under River Thames that led to cancellation of all Eurostar services between London and Paris
Africa eSwatini 22 children from Ezulwini community were trained in the preparation of Tangyuan, a traditional Taiwanese delicacy made from glutinous rice, in an event at Eswatini Cooperatives Development College aimed at fostering cultural exchange
Africa Egypt 17 new technology universities will be established in 2024, with Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research emphasising that the technology university education system produces the necessary frameworks for the various development sectors
Europe Italy In an exceptionally strong year for the Milan bourse, its main index achieved its peak for 2023 earlier this month at 30,427 points - the highest level in absolute terms since 2008 - the leading stock exchange in Europe in terms of growth
Africa Cape Verde The resolution establishing taxi fares in the municipality of Santa Catarina do Fogo was unanimously approved by the municipality's elected representatives during the 10th ordinary session of the Municipal Assembly
Europe Estonia The tap water supplied to the citizens of Kuressaare, capital of Estonia's largest island, Saaremaa, is now treated with ultraviolet light; the water had been chlorinated since an outbreak of E.Coli bacteria in the spring of this year
Europe Belarus For the New Year's Eve performance in the Palace of the Republic in the presence of Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko, Palestinian children have been invited
Asia Japan Japan's proposed frequencies for airborne telecommunication base stations have been adopted as the global standard, paving the way to the technology becoming commercially feasible as early as fiscal year 2025
Europe Croatia The city of Šibenik has celebrated 957 years, with the first mention that dates back to December 25, 1066, in the charter of King Peter Krešimir IV