Asia China 10 United States-based companies have been added to China's export control list, government procurement barred from 50 US companies two weeks after the Pentagon blacklisted some of China’s best-known companies for alleged ties to the Chinese military
Africa Sierra Leone Deaths of victims who have taken the substance known as kush are spreading across the country; often the bodies go unidentified and unclaimed
America Saint Kitts and Nevis A ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of two solar-powered water desalination plants was held; the plants will be able to generate 12 cubic meters of fresh drinking water every hour
Europe Kosovo Kosovo has taken a necessary step to secure membership in the Council of Europe, which will bring benefits such as membership in multiple conventions, participation in Eurovision, access to the ECHR
Europe Lithuania "Let's give a home to returning birds and wings to Ukrainian soldiers fighting" is the motto of a campaign to support Ukraine, bringing together Latvians and Lithuanians to raise funds for drones by painting birdhouses
Europe Montenegro After protests from local people, the government has given the Swiss operator two months to resolve environmental problems at the Brskovo zinc-lead mine, adding that it would be better to terminate the contract altogether
Europe Bulgaria Over €295 million will be invested by the country in the so-called "Vertical Corridor," a key initiative among gas transmission operators from seven Balkan countries to reduce dependence on Russian gas
America Brazil Brazil is racing to regulate AI and curb deepfake technology ahead of municipal polls, banning its use in electoral campaigns, requiring public notices for AI usage and threatening consequences
Oceania Micronesia The FSM national government said that, with the help of partners, it has mobilized emergency supplies for drought-affected communities; four states-Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei and Kosrae-have been experiencing drier-than-normal weather since December last year
Europe Latvia At least a thousand candy wrappers made in Latvia and other parts of the world have been collected in a dedication collection by Arnita Ķerubine; she believes it is history from a different perspective
Africa Somalia A recent accident involving Somali pirates underscored the renewed threat they pose to global shipping, after a Bangladeshi-owned bulk carrier fell victim to pirates in the western Indian Ocean
Africa Morocco As temperatures rise and rainfall shifts, janitors at world-famous Jardin Majorelle in Marrakech have implemented several solutions, such as reducing water-intensive plants
Europe Ireland Foreign Minister suggested that the threat to exclude countries from the EU and "constructive abstention" could be "creative ways" as deadlock situations in key votes have long plagued the EU because they require unanimous consent
Asia Saudi Arabia The government plans to create a fund of about $40 billion to invest in artificial intelligence