Asia Iraq The 7,5 km Hamrin concrete bridge in Diyala province, which will be the longest in Iraq, has been temporarily opened with 90% of construction completed after roads were damaged and traffic disrupted by rising water levels in the neighboring lake
Africa Seychelles A national validation workshop of the Circular Economy Roadmap and Action Plan and the launch of the Challenge Fund are the country's latest actions toward sustainable development
Africa Cameroon A 10% reduction in the taxable value of newly imported tires has been announced, being the cost of importing new tires a critical issue; it is scheduled to last for six months, with the possibility of an extension if necessary
Europe Iceland Iceland's "pool culture" could be added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list after Minister of Culture and Economy confirmed Iceland's first independent application to the list
America Saint Kitts and Nevis Passing the Medical Laboratories Bill 2024, met a number of items on the list of the actions needed to transform the Federation of Twin Islands into a sustainable island state model, stated PM and Minister of Health Terrance Drew
Oceania Vanuatu On May 29, 2024, a referendum will be held on 2 constitutional amendments aimed at strengthening the party system; proposed reforms aim to tie MPs to political parties, prohibit from remaining independent, and reduce the incidence of no-confidence votes
Europe United Kingdom Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron said the deaths of the seven NGO World Central Kitchen aid workers in Gaza, including three British ones, is "completely unacceptable"
Africa Malawi Parliament legalized the cultivation of a very potent local variety of cannabis for industrial and medical use; the rule requires the government to issue a license for cultivation and transportation, while consumption for personal use remains illegal
Europe Netherlands The Veendam hyperloop test center is ready for use, and in a few weeks, the first vehicle will make a test run on the 420-meter track, made of prefabricated steel pipes
Asia Nepal Pangolins are on the verge of extinction in Khotang, a hilly district of Koshi province, due to uncontrolled poaching and smuggling of the highly endangered species
Asia Philippines President Marcos Jr. has ordered the country's government to strengthen the navy's security activities to prepare for "a number of serious challenges", making no clear reference to China
Europe Norway Over half of Norwegian teenagers enrolling in high schools in the country listed crafts and vocational trades as their first choice of study; government officials are pleased and relieved given the country's shortcomings
Asia East Timor Despite delays mainly due to weather conditions, UK-based Baron Oil has completed a geophysical survey at the planned drilling location for the Chuditch-2 appraisal well off East Timor and is currently preparing to begin geotechnical investigation
Asia Syria As the crisis in Syria continues to worsen after 13 years of conflict, Adam Abdelmoula, resident coordinator for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, has appealed for $4 billion in aid for over 10 million Syrians