Europe Austria Foodwatch Austria sparked discussions about the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to minors; according to the NGO, test buyers aged 8, 11, and 14 years received the new “Tropical Energy Refresher” at McDonald's without any age check or verbal warning
Africa Ivory Coast Street vending on main roads, begging, and the use of handcarts has been banned in Abidjan by District Governor Ibrahim Cissé Bacongo, with police checks intensifying in recent days
Asia Bangladesh The country will not provide electricity and gas to new factories to be built outside designated economic zones and industrial enclaves; central bank required banks to secure mandatory certificates of approval from utility providers before lending
Africa Mauritius The anti-influenza vaccination exercise for the winter season 2024 targeting the elderly aged 60 and above, children attending specialised schools, and persons living in charitable institutions kicked off at the NPF Building in Rose-Hill
America Venezuela The Venezuelan NGO Acceso a la Justicia denounced the reduction of voter registration centers in Venezuela, claiming that this is aiming to discourage citizen participation in the upcoming presidential elections on 28 July
Asia India Coal's share of power generation increased to 77% in the first week of April, +2% from the same period in 2023; increased coal use is offsetting lower power generation from hydropower resources
Asia Pakistan Karachi is experiencing severe traffic congestion on all major roads throughout the year due to increased number of cars, undisciplined and disorderly traffic, poor road conditions, insensitive traffic management and recently sewage on roads
Europe Luxembourg White Tigers for Kids Luxembourg is made up of a dozen members who share a love of motorcycles and aims to address bullying and help underage victims by sending motorcyclists to drive kids to school
Asia Malaysia The tradition of "bertuntung," decorating homes with oil lamps in preparation for the celebration of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, is still practiced by the Malaysian community in Sarawak; many homes choose to display a combination of oil lamps and electricity
Europe Monaco The first Padel Best Expo is closing today at the Grimaldi Forum, with the world's leading brands and suppliers, celebrity appearances and official competitions; the Monte Carlo Masters, first ATP 1000 tennis tournament on clay in 2024, just began
Oceania Marshall Islands The Marshall Islands ambassador to Fiji signed the US Pacific Fisheries Treaty Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of the government; the agreement allows the U.S. fishing fleet to operate in the Pacific for the remainder of 2024
America Guatemala Guatemala's President Bernardo Arévalo de León requested OAS support for the selection of justice authorities through an observation mission during the Permanent Council session in Washington, DC
Oceania Solomon Islands The Solomon Islands Election Commission has clarified guidelines regarding campaign activities for the upcoming elections, in response to recent misconceptions spread in the media
Asia Myanmar Guerrillas from Karen ethnic minority said they are close to taking control of a major trading town on the Thai border, while soldiers and civilian officials loyal to the military government appeared to be preparing to abandon their positions