America Grenada Toll-free 988 Suicide Hotline for Crisis Response has been launched to guarantee immediate support for people experiencing suicidal thoughts, emotional distress and other mental health crises; an awareness campaign will start soon
Europe Iceland Icelandic writer Sjón has been awarded the Swedish Academy's Nordic Prize 2023 for his significant contribution to Nordic literature
Africa Tanzania Zanzibar has banned exports of all food products as an immediate measure to curb shortages and rising prices, instructing traders to release food products they have stored in warehouses promising a decrease in prices
Asia Kazakhstan The country granted citizenship to more than 22.000 people last year, reported the Ministry of Internal Affairs; 17.676 applicants were kandas, a term referring to ethnic Kazakhs returning to Kazakhstan
Asia Singapore Singapore and India launched a real-time link to facilitate cross-border funds transfers between bank accounts or e-wallets, using mobile phones by linking Singapore's PayNow service to India's unified payment interface
Europe Liechtenstein An ancient custom is being practised in all communities this weekend: the fire of sparks, which is supposed to drive out winter
Asia Thailand The death of a 49-year-old Uighur asylum seeker in Thailand has prompted rights groups to call for a humane solution to the situation of some 50 Uighur men detained for nine years
Asia Georgia Despite his poor health, former Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili remains in prison; the legal battle for the release of Georgia's third president now continues at the European Court of Human Rights
Oceania Fiji Fiji Corrections Service currently has 6 ongoing projects involving civil works: Naboro Road, fencing of the Nasinu Corrections Centre farm, design of new main cell block at Suva Corrections Centre and redevelopment of Suva cemetery
Asia Japan Famous Japanese manga and anime creator Leiji Matsumoto, whose real name was Akira Matsumoto, has died at the age of 85; Matsumoto was known for his epic science fiction sagas, including Galaxy Express 999, Queen Emeraldas and Space Battleship Yamato
Asia Maldives The new academic year 2023-2024 will start on 6 August, according to the calendar published by the Ministry of Education; the second school term will begin on 7 January and end on 13 June 2024
Europe Latvia Following decisions made by State Medicines Agency, government owns a total of €30.000 in compensation costs for four people in connection with severe and moderate damage to health caused by adverse reactions to Covid-19 vaccine
America Ecuador Cocaine bricks mixed with gravel and cement for building houses have so far helped get rid of approximately 61% of the drugs confiscated in recent years, an innovative method implemented by Ecuador to use its tons of confiscated vegetal material
America United States A record 6.542 guns have been intercepted at US airport security checks in 2022; experts say the figure mirrors how frequent and careless is the personal possession of arms in the country