Europe Sweden Researchers at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences have discovered a new species in Swedish forests: it is a fungus that parasitizes lichens
America Jamaica Restorative Justice, a Department of the Ministry of Justice, is encouraging Jamaicans of good repute with a passion for nation-building to register to become RJ facilitators, who seek to resolve conflicts by bringing parties to an agreement
Europe Portugal Montijo airport saw the extension of the environmental declaration deadline rejected by the Institute for the Conservation of Nature and Forests ICNF and may no longer be an option to host Lisbon's new airport
Europe Romania Timișoara, one of the largest cities in western Romania, will have a new 10.000-seat stadium, for a €23 million project financed from the local budget; the stadium should be built in 28 months, once work begins
Asia Taiwan The Taiwan Lantern Festival 2024 in Tainan, a large outdoor exhibition of lanterns and light installations to celebrate the Lantern Festival observed on 24 February, was partially opened on Saturday evening
Asia Kuwait The Kuwaiti municipality intends to ban handshakes in mourning rooms in cemeteries on health grounds, according to a Kuwaiti newspaper report
Asia Syria Syria and Iraq warned of dangerous consequences following US attacks targeting facilities of Iranian-backed militants in Iraq and Syria
Asia Nepal The third Chief Minister's Cup men's volleyball national tournament is taking place in Kanchanpur, famous for producing national-level players in various sports; this is the first national event held here in 12 years
Europe San Marino Don Domenico Beneventi, 50, of the clergy of Acerenza (Potenza), until now parish priest and teacher, will be the Bishop elected to the San Marino-Feretrana Church
Oceania Solomon Islands New Zealand has joined Australia in rejecting allegations by Solomon Islands PM Manasseh Sogavare of delaying some $18 million in financial support, saying it had asked its top diplomat in Honiara to "set the record straight"
Europe United Kingdom Michelle O'Neill has been appointed PM of Northern Ireland; she is Vice-President of Sinn Féin, the left-wing nationalist party historically in favour of reunification with Ireland, and it is the first time that one of its members becomes Prime Minister
Asia North Korea Since the start of the pandemic, fences and security infrastructure along both coasts have been significantly expanded, in a likely attempt to make it more difficult for residents to escape by sea
Africa Sierra Leone Police are investigating the deaths of three girls aged 12, 13 and 17 who were subjected to female genital mutilation in the country's north-western province; despite calls from activists and human rights advocates, it is still legal in Sierra Leone
Europe Slovakia The country will receive more than €69 million from EU for the construction of the 2nd phase of Presov northern bypass; in a competition involving hundreds of projects, the second highest sum was pre-approved for Slovakia, after a German railway project