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
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 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
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 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
Africa Mozambique Aid for an additional $22 million has been announced by the US to support "stabilization efforts" in Cabo Delgado province in the country's northwest
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
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
Africa Tanzania The country welcomed over 1,8 million tourists between 2021 and 2023, with a total revenue of $3,37 billion, now ranking 2nd in Africa for attracting tourists, after Ethiopia, and 3rd in tourism earnings after Morocco and Mauritius
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
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 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
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