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 Saudi Arabia The Saudi Fashion Commission launched the innovative 'Sustainable Ihram' initiative, the first recycling programme for pilgrims' garments, at the Islamic Arts Biennale
Europe Latvia Zane Bērziņa founded the social enterprise Vilbers which produces specialised clothing for people with various mobility problems, including wheelchair users
Europe Malta The Farmer Central Cooperative Society - which sells the products of Maltese farmers - is now selling local products to supermarkets chain Lidl, after discussions lasted 18 months
Asia Kyrgyzstan The first children's documentary on Kyrgyz writer Chingiz Aitmatov, 'The Enigmas of the White Steamer', was presented in Kyrgyzstan at the Seytek National Children and Youth Centre
Europe Vatican City Pope Francis, 88, was admitted to Rome's Gemelli Hospital yesterday with a severe respiratory infection that caused pneumonia in both lungs and requires evolving treatment
Africa Nigeria A trial has begun in London between the British multinational oil company Shell and two Ogoni communities in the Niger delta, who are demanding that the oil company be held responsible for the pollution of the area
Asia Vietnam Vietnamese investors launched 10 new overseas projects in January 2025, with total outbound investment of over $83 million, over 5 times higher than the same period in 2024
America Jamaica The parliamentary year 2025/2026 began on Thursday, 13 February 2025, with the traditional opening ceremony of Parliament at Gordon House
America Saint Lucia The Association of Human Resource Management Professionals Saint Lucia was officially launched under the theme “Advancing HR Excellence: Unveiling the Path to Innovation”, bringing together key stakeholders and HR professionals from across the island
Oceania Kiribati The newly crowned Miss Pacific Islands, Miss Samoa Litara Ieremia-Allan, has pledged to support Miss Kiribati, Kimberly Tokanang, in raising awareness and promoting climate change action in the Pacific region
Europe Hungary A minimally invasive method for treating thyroid cancer has been developed by Hungary's Premier Med and Semmelweis University
America Haiti The town of Jacmel is continuing its pre-carnival festivities every Sunday, with masqueraders, elaborate masks and marching bands
Europe Greece Prisons in Greece show severe overcrowding in poor infrastructure and offer inadequate medical care, according to a report by the National Mechanism for the Prevention of Torture and Ill-treatment