Asia Bangladesh Recent studies demonstrated that microplastics are present in water, sediments, fish, salt, soft drinks, milk, edible oil and more products in Bangladesh, underscoring the growing concern that these pollutants are transferred to humans through food
Europe Spain The country has approved an increase in the US presence at the Rota naval base, with the deployment of two new destroyers to take place in 2024 and 2025; the government bypassed parliament to ensure its left-wing minority partner would not vote against it
Asia Singapore Digital health group WhiteCoat has opened its regional headquarters in Singapore, which will "serve as a hub to facilitate patient engagement and promote health literacy in its markets"
America Saint Lucia Piaye Secondary School has asked for community support for its newly-elected Parent-Teacher Association
Africa Kenya In Nairobi, motorcyclists are going electric thanks to the increase in charging points across the capital; the combination of more charging stations and lower running costs are making it easier to move away from polluting petrol vehicles
Africa Sao Tome and Principe The largest opposition party in São Tomé has appealed against the parliament's decision to reject and postpone the debate on the recently tabled censorship motion
Europe San Marino The population has been alerted to numerous phone calls to landlines in the country with fraudsters posing as Tim operators in order to steal sensitive data
Asia Indonesia Several Indonesian residents have filed a legal complaint in a Swiss court against the world's leading cement producer, Holcim, which they claim is doing 'too little' to reduce carbon dioxide emissions
Oceania Samoa The deputy leader of the Human Rights Protection Party, Lauofo Fonote Pierre, has been declared leader of the opposition in Parliament
Asia Qatar The General Tax Authority has announced that the ban on the sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products without a valid and activated digital tax stamp came into effect yesterday 1 February 2023
Africa Equatorial Guinea The country has appointed Manuela Roka Botey as Prime Minister, making her the first woman in the country to hold the position, President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, who has ruled since 1979, announced in a decree read out on state television
Africa Madagascar Despite the semi-final loss to Senegal at the African Nations Championship, Madagascar fans are proud of the team
Asia Myanmar Myanmar's junta has extended the country's state of emergency for another six months, the acting president said as citizens marked the anniversary of the 2021 military coup with a 'silent protest'
Asia Thailand A thick haze covered the city as Bangkok's air pollution reached an unhealthy level, with an AQI value of 166; AQI values above 100 are considered unhealthy