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
Europe Finland In October 2025, Helsinki Cathedral will host a month of discussions on war and peace, with a large-scale installation of Mars by British artist Luke Jerram, the cathedral's second annual theme month, aimed at promoting social dialogue
Europe Romania The National History Museum of Romania has appointed Ovidiu Țentea as its new interim director; born in 1974 in Dumbrăveni, he is a recognised specialist in ancient history and archaeology
Asia Jordan US President didn't soften his proposal to relocate Palestinians in Gaza and develop the land into premium housing, even as King Abdullah II of Jordan, in the Oval Office, suggested the Arab world opposed the idea of moving them to third countries
Asia Saudi Arabia The Saudi Fashion Commission launched the innovative 'Sustainable Ihram' initiative, the first recycling programme for pilgrims' garments, at the Islamic Arts Biennale
Africa Sao Tome and Principe São Tomé's parliament approved, with all-party support, the government programme led by Américo Ramos, which it said focused on 'wealth creation' and the 'structural transformation of the economy and the state'
Oceania Fiji A recent cardiac screening conducted in the country, which examined over 8.000 children during awareness programmes, revealed that a disturbing 1,24% were diagnosed with congenital heart disease
Africa Sudan Sudan called on the African Union to end the suspension of its membership, stressing the need for the country to return to its 'rightful place' within the organisation and resume its role in African affairs
Asia Qatar The Qatar Foundation, in cooperation with HundrED, awarded ten innovative educational projects as part of 'Spotlight Qatar', an initiative designed to highlight the most effective and scalable educational innovations in Qatar
Africa Gambia Schools will start teaching the dangers of Female Genital Mutilation and provide support to those who may be at risk, upon directive by Neneh Touray, Deputy Executive Director for Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment at the Ministry of Gender Policy
Asia Iraq Iraq has been elected vice-president of the Middle East Committee of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation during the 51st committee meeting
Africa Guinea-Bissau The 2025 cashew marketing and export campaign could be compromised because of the ongoing political crisis: the warning came from the The National Association of Importers and Exporters
Asia Georgia The European Parliament adopted a resolution on the further deterioration of the political situation in Georgia, supported by 400 MEPs, with 63 against and 81 abstentions
Europe Russia Russia reportedly struck with a drone the protective shield built over reactor number 4 of the former Chernobyl power plant, exploded in 1986 causing the worst nuclear disaster in history, now still dangerously radioactive