Europe Sweden A new species has been discovered in Swedish forests, a fungus that parasitizes lichens; it has been recognized by researchers at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Asia Sri Lanka The Government Medical Association yesterday started an indefinite strike, as the government temporarily suspended the disturbance, availability and transport allowance, which had been increased by Rs 35.000 ($110) from January, as previously promised
Europe Liechtenstein The municipal council of Vaduz discussed whether the Rhine dam between Obere Rüttigass and Lettstrasse should continue to be open to slow traffic with a maximum speed of 50km/h after expansion to accommodate car traffic
Africa Egypt EC Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi announced that EU is Egypt's main trading partner and accounts for 27% of total trade on the occasion of 10th meeting of Association Council between EU and Egypt, marking the 20th anniversary of the Association Agreement
America Chile Recent studies show that in 2023, Chile experienced the lowest number of births in the last decade, in a continuous decline in the birth rate
Europe Switzerland Basel-Mulhouse EuroAirport was closed again morning Sunday 19th due to a bomb threat, after a series of false bomb threats were made at it last October; the terminal was evacuated and flight operations were temporarily suspended
Asia Turkmenistan The World Trade Organisation reported that the country intends to finalise its Memorandum on Foreign Trade Regime by mid-2024; the submission of this document is one of the conditions for WTO accession
Europe Ukraine Zelensky asked for an international investigation into the plane shot down in Russia with 65 Ukrainian prisoners; Ukrainian services 'are investigating all the circumstances' and Foreign Minister will 'inform partners of the data available to Ukraine'
Asia United Arab Emirates UAE residents stuck in daily traffic are estimated to lose the equivalent of one day a month, according to motorists who spoke to Khaleej Times
Asia Yemen Turbulence in Red Sea caused tanker prices to soar 182%, changing the dynamics of global shipping, according to Bloomberg; tanker industry revenues are soaring to unprecedented levels with rates on some routes rising by the most in a single day since 2022
Europe Lithuania The purchase of Leopard 2 main battle tanks from Germany has been decided at government level and the Lithuanian State Defence Council authorising the start of negotiations for an order
Europe Sweden Turkey's parliament ratified Sweden's application for NATO membership; ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) said it supported the application for its positive steps in the fight against terrorism
Europe Italy There are 10.000 more prisoners than the official capacity, which leads the democratic country to face a very serious overcrowding, a high number of suicides, a lack of basic services and repeated situations of poor protection of rights
Africa Madagascar Faced with steady increase in sexual offences, the Council of Ministers has come out in favour of harsher punishments for child rapists and the government is reportedly considering new measures, including life imprisonment, chemical or surgical castration