Asia Afghanistan Approximately 18.000 carats of emeralds, worth 1,1 million USD, have been sold since the beginning of year 1404, or 20 March 2025, in five rounds of bidding for Panjshir area emeralds and new emerald mine sites were discovered in Pariyan district
Asia Mongolia Year-round children's camps will be launched with tutoring, mental health support, traditional crafts, music, sports, life skills training; camps will be tailored to local conditions, with heated yurts and outdoor-focused activities where possible
Asia Singapore 137 km from the equator, Singapore is ideal for efficient rocket launches and aims to become a space hub; through national space agency OSTIn it is investing over €40 million in R&D, satellites and commercialization, exploring future offshore spaceports
Africa Burundi The 2025 election campaign season was officially launched on 9 May with a symbolic ceremony in Gitega, Burundi's political capital; the event marked the formal beginning of the pre-campaign period for the legislative and communal elections of June 5
Europe Sweden Legionella Bacteria was found at Södersjukhuset Hospital in Stockholm; patients who need to shower are advised to remove the mouthpiece so that the water runs directly from the hose and drink tap water, which is safe, pouring into a glass or a mug
Asia Pakistan Tensions erupted after an attack in Kashmir on 22 April killed 28 Hindu pilgrims; blaming Pakistan-based groups, India launched strikes, Pakistan responded with drone attacks on Indian cities: both sides escalated towards wider conflict and civilian harm
Africa Mali Two Malian opposition figures have been missing since Thursday after being abducted by “masked and armed men,” Human Rights Watch reported, as political parties have been searching a dialogue with ruling power for several weeks
Asia Indonesia The free meal program, launched in January, has faced at least 10 mass food poisoning incidents, affecting hundreds of students; despite government pledges to safety, lapses in preparation and hygiene persist, raising concerns over the program's oversight
Oceania Papua New Guinea The only female candidate running for the Motu Koita chair - the landowner representative body of the Motu and Koitabu people - has launched her campaign: presenting her plans, she pledged special attention to the mothers and children
America Saint Kitts and Nevis The Nevis Cooperative Credit Union has officially adopted two primary schools under its Schools Outreach Assistance and Rewards programme for the 2024-2025 academic year as part of its commitment to community development and youth empowerment
Africa Cape Verde TechPark Cabo Verde, a tech hub established in 2023 that has quickly developed into a lively tech center, has been officially inaugurated with representatives of the government, African countries, US, EU, Brazil, entrepreneurs, investors, academics
Europe Belarus Belarusian President Lukashenko expressed readiness to negotiate cooperation with Guinea-Bissau as he met with President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea-Bissau in Minsk on 7 May; all areas of activity are being considered, with a focus on agricolture
Asia East Timor World Portuguese Language Day was celebrated with a ceremony at the Government Palace with around 2.000 students and teachers from the Centros de Aprendizagem e Formação Escolar, underlining the cultural and communication importance of the language for ET
Africa Guinea-Bissau Belarusian President Lukashenko expressed readiness to negotiate cooperation with Guinea-Bissau as he met with President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea-Bissau in Minsk on 7 May; all areas of activity are being considered, with a focus on agricolture