Asia Afghanistan Approximately 18.000 carats of emeralds, worth 1,1 million USD, have been sold since the beginning of year 1404, or 20 March 2025, in five rounds of bidding for Panjshir area emeralds and new emerald mine sites were discovered in Pariyan district
Asia Qatar 36.000 myna birds have been so far hunted under the National Project to Combat Myna Birds in Qatar, which has proven an effective measure to curb the spread of this invasive species that threatens the ecological balance
Europe Finland 40% of board seats in large publicly listed companies in Finland are held by women, data from the Chamber of Commerce show, a record figure that reflects ongoing shifts in governance ahead of new diversity recommendations set to take effect in 2026
Asia Cyprus Rules regarding swimming pools serving multiple households have been relaxed: a special category clearly differentiates obligations of pools 'for private use serving up to five residential units', recreational/competition pools and hotel/resort pools
Europe Croatia Vardarac, a village with 504 people in 211 households, will have a new €7,5 million stadium, partially financed by Hungary, investing in sports and cultural infrastructure in neighbouring countries where Hungarian minorities live
Africa Senegal Badara Gadiaga, star columnist of Jakaarlo Bi show on TFM, is investigated upon comments made on TV, deemed sensitive; held in custody at the Special Division of Cybercrime, he is accused of dissemination of false news and speech contrary to good morals
America Saint Kitts and Nevis A new amendment to the Housing and Social Development Levy Act ensures that those earning the national minimum wage or slightly above will no longer be subject to deductions, a step towards social equity Government says
Oceania Samoa The second death of a child due to dengue fever has led authorities to extend school closures: all Early Childhood Education programs and Primary School classes for years 1 to 7 will be suspended until 25 July in a number of districts
Asia Israel Airstrikes were launched on a Defense Ministry compound and near the presidential palace in on Damascus; the action followed clashes with over 500 casualties in the region of Sweida, the heartland of Syria's Druse minority, whom Israel pledged to protect
Asia Jordan Firefighting teams began returning home after completing a humanitarian mission in Syria, where they participated in efforts to extinguish wildfires that broke out across several areas of Latakia along the coast
Europe Austria Two streets in Braunau am Inn, Adolf Hitler's hometown, are to be renamed following a 28 to 9 vote by the city council as they are named after classical music composer Josef Reiter and entertainer Franz Resl, both of whom were Nazi party members
Europe Albania Applications for the 'Mountain Package' have been opened, that will provide support for 500 projects through fiscal incentives over 10 years; the new law also includes 'Made in Albania' products
America Antigua and Barbuda The annual School Uniform Grant Voucher Program is seeing a consistent flow of applicants: since its launch on 7 July, over 2.500 families already shew up and more are expected before the program ends at the end of August
Europe United Kingdom Thousands of Afghans brought to UK were victims of a major data breaches with names and details published on FB: fearing reprisals from the Taliban, they were relocated under a scheme kept secret; the measure preventing media reporting has now been lifted