Asia China “Bone ash apartments" will be illegal after new law prohibits use of residential properties to store ashes or bury remains outside dedicated areas; scarce space in cemeteries, low house prices made more affordable to entomb remains in an empty apartment
Asia India The black boxes of the Air India aircraft that crashed in Ahmedabad causing over 270 casualties may be analysed by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau at its new laboratory inaugurated on 9 April instead of being sent abroad
Asia Oman A stranded blue whale, approximately 8 metres long, found near Al Duwanij Beach in Shina, has been returned to the sea in good condition after with the intervention of specialised teams from the Environment Department
Oceania Vanuatu A public forum brought together government representatives, community members and business owners under the theme "Our Town, Our Future" to share ideas and map a collaboration path for Port Vila’s development after 2024 earthquake
America Peru Amid efforts to manage overcrowding and rising crime in Peru's prisons, the country has considered transferring highly dangerous foreign inmates to El Salvador’s CECOT prison
Europe Serbia To end months of protests, Serbia’s government latest move is to undermine the cohesion of university professors and their students, as well as to divide the professors themselves
Asia North Korea State media reported that renovations on the Kalma train station in Wonsan have completed; they are part of the final preparations for the expected grand opening of the Wonsan Kalma beach resort later this month
Africa Sao Tome and Principe Eight new Marine Protected Areas covering 93 square kilometers have been announced by Sao Tome and Principe representatives at the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France; the MPAs aim at protecting local marine life including manta rays, sharks, sea turtles
Europe Portugal The municipal tourist tax charged in the capital Lisbon has brought to the city over 260 million euros in almost 10 years - in 2024 it amounted to nearly 49,51 million euros
Africa South Africa South Africa beat Australia in five wickets in WTC final in London, winning first major cricket ICC title after 27 years
Oceania New Zealand Auckland’s Cremorne St this year retains its title as the city’s most expensive street; the coastal road stretches just 150m, but its 15 luxury mansions are worth $11,3 million (€5,8 million) each on average according to latest real-estate figures
Asia Nepal Exporting of 40MW of electricity to Bangladesh and 80MW to India’s Bihar state has begun, marking a milestone in regional energy cooperation and confirming Nepal’s growing hydropower capacity
America Guyana The first export cargo is ready to sail from the new One Guyana offshore platform, marking a major step in Guyana's rise as a top oil producer with the debut of the Golden Arrowhead crude grade set for shipment by early September
Asia Jordan Over 11.700 children dropped out of school in in 12 months, a growing crisis that Tamkeen for Legal Aid and Human Rights associates with the increase of child labour in informal and exploitative jobs; an alarming post-pandemic surge occurred in 2022-2024