Asia Bangladesh Recent studies demonstrated that microplastics are present in water, sediments, fish, salt, soft drinks, milk, edible oil and more products in Bangladesh, underscoring the growing concern that these pollutants are transferred to humans through food
Europe Ukraine Parliament passed a law to reform rules for recruiting civilians into the armed forces, at a time when the Ukrainian army lacks soldiers and means to fight: 500.000 men would be needed to relieve soldiers who have been committed for more than two years
Africa Zimbabwe In the most recent attempt to create a credible national currency, Zimbabwe has replaced its devaluated dollar with the ZiG, Zimbabwe Gold; the new unit is backed by bullion and foreign currency reserves held at the central bank
Africa Seychelles The University of Seychelles launched its first doctorate - PhD in Business Administration - during a ceremony held at the campus in Anse Royale
Europe Norway The government intends to invest about 500 million Norwegian kroner (€42.939.000) a year in church restoration over the next three decades
America Barbados Electric buses are coming in a donation from the China International Development Cooperation Agency, part of the effort to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and reduce Windward island's carbon footprint
Asia Taiwan The entire Alishan Forest Railway will be opened and operational on July 1, after 15 years of track work and tunnel repairs, announced Taiwan's Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency
Oceania New Zealand New Zealand's Ministry of Trade and Consumer Affairs has warned the country's leaders against maintaining a slow approach on cryptocurrencies, calling on the Australian government to finalize its stance on cryptocurrencies as well 'before it is too late'
Asia North Korea Ethnic Chinese residents in North Korea have returned to the country for the first time in four years after a long exile during the pandemic, the Chinese Embassy in Pyongyang recently made known
Oceania Papua New Guinea The Papua New Guinea Chamber of Commerce and Industry has sounded the alarm over the proposed National Gold Corporation bill, warning that it could cripple the mining sector and the nation's overall economy
Asia Japan Commenting international concern about current spread of streptococcal infections, Hitoshi Honda, professor and infectious disease expert at Fujita Health University said pandemic-level infections are not expected and travel restrictions not required
Europe Vatican City New document by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of Faith lists grave violations of human dignity: from war to poverty, from violence against migrants to violence against women, from abortion to surrogacy to euthanasia, to gender theory and digital violence
Africa Ivory Coast The 13th Abidjan Arts and Performing Arts Market, a trade fair dedicated to the sector, will take place in the Ivorian economic capital April 13-20, with the aim of highlighting youth and innovation in programming
Europe Portugal The Roman galleries on Rua da Prata in Lisbon will reopen for visits 18-21 April, in celebration of the International Day of Monuments and Sites; discovered after 1755 earthquake, they continue to attract visitors and 2024 tickets went sold out in 2 hours