Oceania Marshall Islands The fish aggregation devices FADs that fishing boats use to make catches easier, lately equipped with satellite communications gear to pinpoint location, are now being built by drug cartels that wrap packs of cocaine and radio transponders to trace troves
Europe France The first flax spinning mill has just opened in Normandy, in Saint-Martin-du-Tilleul, in the Eure region, creating 100% French flax with a €4 million investment by the NatUp group
Europe Austria Smoking in or near forests is now banned in Lower Austria to prevent forest fires in drier-than-usual forests - with fines of more than €7.000
Asia Nepal The police mobilized over 1.600 personnel and traffic policemen in the 3 districts of Kathmandu valley to provide security and avert possible unpleasant activities during the Holi on the Falgun celebrations, a Hindu festival hailing the arrival of spring
Oceania Micronesia The country has received the first of two Guardian-class Patrol Boats, delivered through the Pacific Maritime Security Program, highlighting how Australia is not only a partner, but also a close friend for the State
America Mexico Since the beginning of the year the country has rescued of 73.000 irregular immigrants seeking refuge, according to the National Migration Institute
Europe Belarus The government has extended the ban on the export of wheat and flour for 3 months to member countries of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), including Armenia, and outside the customs territory of the EEU
Europe Malta The Sir Anthony Mamo Cancer Centre will receive its first Ukrainian patient, a girl, this week as part of humanitarian assistance to Ukraine; 26 Ukranains have since now asked for asylum in the country
Asia Yemen The war in Yemen has become "a chronic emergency" after seven years of war, UN aid chief Martin Griffiths told the Security Council
Asia Lebanon Cash transfers to 150.000 extremely poor Lebanese families have begun under the WB-funded Emergency Social Safety Net project, which will also cover the direct costs of education for 87.000 minors between the ages of 13 and 18
America Jamaica A visit later this month by the Duchess and Duke of Cambridge could be key to encouraging Jamaica to remain in the Commonwealth, despite the island's expressed desire to become a republic
Africa Mauritius Cash grants have been awarded to high potential young entrepreneurs to start their businesses after completing a training course under the Programme for the Promotion of Youth Entrepreneurship (PPEJ)
Europe Hungary Hungary's new president, Katalin Novák, the first female head of state, was elected by the Hungarian Parliament, with the governing parties voting in her favour, while most opposition representatives voted against her
Africa Lesotho Olympian Moroke Mokhotho has launched his Rocket Sports Academy (RoSA) in Ha-Thetsane, Maseru, a platform to prepare boxing and badminton athletes with the assistance of Lesotho Boxing Association and Lesotho Badminton Association