Africa Gambia In preparation for the 2026 elections, journalists and civil society players are receiving specialised training to help them detect and counter misinformation before it fuels tension and confusion
Asia Malaysia Three new species of spiny lobster have been identified in Sabah, expanding knowledge of marine biodiversity in Malaysian waters; The discovery highlights the ecological richness of the region and the importance of keeping up research and conservation
Europe Lithuania Giraitė Armament Plant, the Baltic states’ only ammunition manufacturer, achieved full production autonomy adding tools for bullet production, including bullet presses and lead core forming equipment, allowing the plant to produce all components in-house.
Africa Uganda Gold has become Uganda’s leading export earner bringing in a record $6,4 billion in 2025 from $1,26bn in 2019, surpassing coffee ($2,46bn); despite gold returns, the impact for the majority of ordinary people is not comparable to the one of coffee
Europe Belarus A briefing for the diplomatic corps accredited in Belarus was held yesterday; focusing on Ukrainian issues, it reportedly presented Minsk’s view of the unfolding situation to the diplomatic corps, highlighting its humanitarian efforts in Ukraine
Africa Eritrea Gender equality has been placed at the core of Eritrea's national legal and institutional architecture, said Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Sophia Tesfamariam, at the 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women, 9-20 March 2026
Asia Iran Iran is celebrating Nowruz, the Persian New Year, during wartime for the first time since the 1980s; believed to have been celebrated in ancient Iran since at least the fifth century B.C., it marks the solstice of spring and symbolizes new beginnings
Europe Germany Gerd Faltings, a number theorist at the Max Planck Institute for Mathematics in Bonn, has won the 2026 Abel Prize, one of the most prestigious awards in mathematics, for his work on proving that Diophantine equations can have a finite set of solutions
Africa Zambia Traditional leader Chief Mpezeni has warned against circulating claims that women are being asked to provide sexual favours in exchange for political adoption to stand in elections, triggering public concern over the fairness of candidate selection
Asia South Korea 24 million barrels of crude oil from the UAE have been secured amid global energy tensions linked to the Iran conflict; The deal includes emergency purchase options and plans for closer supply chain cooperation to prevent disruptions
Africa Namibia Mariental is counting on young political leadership with William Minnie (23), youngest councillor ever elected in Namibia, and Hermanus Isaaks (28), council management committee chairperson, as the community grapples with limited resources, growing needs
America Bahamas Traces of cocaine, caffeine and common painkillers have been found in sharks off the coast of the island of Eleuthera; results of the new study highlight the deepening impact of human pollution on Bahamian marine life
Asia Vietnam A revised energy plan to 2030 has been approved, expanding solar, wind and LNG and reducing dependence on coal and imports; The strategy prioritises grid upgrades, diversified supply sources, energy storage to meet rising demand and strengthen security
Asia Oman Central Fish Wholesale Market will resume regular operations on 23 March; the 4-days temporary suspension of activities has started yesterday providing clear timelines for fisheries traders and stakeholders in observance of national holiday Eid al-Fitr