Africa Ghana Tradional chief of Berekum area has warned against data leaks by bank staff, reminding that releasing private information is highly discouraging and affects rural areas where it is most important to create and support trust to advance financial inclusion
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
Asia Cyprus A convoy of three humanitarian aid ships operated by the NGO Open Arms and bound for the Gaza Strip has departed Cyprus, as permitted by the maritime corridor announced in early March by the European Commission
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
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 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
Africa Ghana The local national communications authority has revealed that repair operations on the two submarine cables damaged on March 14 are proceeding, with two ships tasked with tackling the repair expected to be completed by early May
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 South Korea An activist group led by ecologist Shin Joon Hwan would like to gradually replace all cherry trees of the Yoshino, or Tokyo cherry, variety with a type it claims is native to the country, since cherry trees are symbolic of Japanese colonial rule
Oceania Palau The Republic of Palau is now under Water Shortage ALERT as the water level in the Ngerimel and Ngerikiil reservoirs in Airai has decreased significantly due to lack of rainfall and increased water consumption - a decision by National Emergency Committee
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
Asia Indonesia Notwithstanding the ongoing construction of a new capital city, the Centre for Economic Reform Indonesia said that the metropolitan city of Jakarta has the potential to become an economic and commercial hub capable of competing with global cities
Africa Egypt The grace period granted to foreigners illegally residing in Egypt to legitimize their residency has been extended by six months and the new deadline is now 15 September 2024
America United States The coming months will determine if it is possible to reestablish constructive diplomacy with Beijing, a top White House official said, stressing the need for "Cold War"-era hotlines and other crisis mechanisms