Europe Czech Republic The proposed law on public service media would change the funding model of Czech Television and Radio from licence fees to state budget financing and has become a highly debated issue from all sides over concerns over a potential loss of independence
Europe Latvia Latvian full-service aircraft leasing company SmartLynx Airlines has ceased operations; in a statement to the media the company said the decision was made after assessing financial position and long-term operating prospects
Oceania Kiribati Minister for Women, who last year defended the fact that women should be elected on merit, has had a change of heart and now supports special seats for women in parliament: sitting at decision-making tables would accelerate much-needed changes
Europe United Kingdom Tens of thousands of turkeys and chickens have been culled in weeks because of a spate of avian flu cases in Wales; concerns about the spread of highly pathogenic HPAI H5N1 are serious according to the industry and the situation severe, Wales said
America Chile A severe snowstorm with 200 km/h winds in Chile has caused the death of foreign tourists in Torres del Paine National Park, while others have been rescued alive after disappearing on a high-risk trekking route
Asia Brunei A three years curriculum in Islamic Education has been introduced during a session of the Ministry of Education in the frame of the Integration of Religious Subjects into the general education system
Oceania Nauru The fortnightly allowance for senior citizens has been revised and increased and accompanied by provisions of water, electricity, rice and flour
Africa Tunisia Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Tunis to protest against what they call escalating authoritarianism and the jailing of government critics; wearing black and carrying whistles and red ribbons, they marched chanting slogans
Asia Kazakhstan Neuroradiology startup Cerebra.AI presented a software that can detect a stroke within minutes and help reduce neurological damage, according to the Company, as medtech and artificial intelligence are reshaping modern healthcare
Africa Burundi Leaders of the private sector in East Africa urged partner states to eliminate non-tariff barriers and willingness to accelerate into-regional trade; the call came from EABC CEOs meeting in Bujumbura
Africa Guinea-Bissau Counting of votes is underway in Guinea-Bissau after Sunday's presidential and legislative election; President Embaló is in a tight contest to become the first leader in three decades to win a second consecutive term in the coup-prone West African nation
Asia Singapore Stick ’Em Co., a Singapore start-up, creates reusable, child-safe building stickers to help kids turn their ideas into models; Its founders aim to spark creativity and enhance STEAM abilities through hands-on play, offering kits to prototype freely
Europe Hungary Budapest first-ever double-decker ice rink has been inaugurated; Csepeli Ice Park features a the 60-metre ice corridor allowing skaters to access a terrace built atop the spectator area and glide down a 3,5-degree slope back to the lower rinks
Asia Azerbaijan The building of social service Osman Mirzayev Orphanage in Lankaran has been inaugurated after renovation by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation; orphanage No.5 has been operating since 1941, became structurally unusable and repairs began In 2024