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
Africa Libya The Governor of the Libyan Central Bank, President of the Libyan Audit Bureau and the Chairman of the National Oil Corporation all stressed the need to increase oil production rates
Asia Lebanon Britain would be organising a plan to de-escalate tensions on the Lebanese-Israeli border; the plan would involve Britain training Lebanese army forces to do more security work in the border region
Europe Russia Two Russian courts have handed down the first two convictions following the passing of the new law restricting activism for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community, rather vaguely classifying activities related to their defence as extremist
Europe Slovenia A consultative referendum will be held this year to decide whether to build a second nuclear power unit to replace the current one at the Krško nuclear power plant once its lifespan ends in 2043
Asia Malaysia The sentence of former PM Najib Razak to 12 years in prison for corruption and abuse of power was halved; by the end of 2023, corruption charges had been filed against both Najib and other members of his party, the United Malaysian National Organisation
Africa Ivory Coast A government-sponsored agricultural initiative aims on the one hand to supply school canteens, and on the other hand contributes to improving the lives of villagers by empowering women
Africa Uganda Government minister Henry Okello Oryem was criticised for calling those who starved to death in his country 'idiots'; in 2022, more than 2.200 people died of starvation and related diseases in north-eastern Uganda
Europe Spain At Madrid's Barajas airport hundreds of asylum seekers have been stranded for weeks, forced to sleep on the floor in just four rooms, waiting for the outcome of their application
Asia Singapore The Orchard Road no smoking zone will now include the Somerset Skate Park and its surroundings
Asia Cambodia The 7th camp programme under the theme 'Youth under the Roof of Peace' organised by the National Polytechnic Institute of Cambodia is underway, involving 322 officials, professors and students
Oceania Australia The State of Victoria is launching a female pain survey after research revealed that two out of every five women in the state suffer from chronic pain
Europe Ukraine EU leaders agreed on a €50bn aid package for Ukraine, overcoming weeks of opposition from Hungary
Asia Pakistan The Interim Federal Cabinet approved price increases for 146 essential life-saving drugs; the price increase was recommended by the Ministry of National Health in view of rising commodity prices on the global market