Asia Myanmar Peace talks with several smaller ethnic armed organizations have been promoted by Myanmar’s military government as evidence of ongoing national reconciliation; Critics argue the discussions exclude many of the country’s most powerful resistance groups
Africa Mali The foreign ministers of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have proposed the creation of a confederation as a step towards their long-term goal of uniting in a federation; in September, leaders had initiated the Alliance of Sahel States, a mutual defence pact
Europe Netherlands The storage of so-called 'light' consumer fireworks is much more dangerous than previously thought, as revealed by a research team from the University of Twente on behalf of the Tweede Kamer
Africa Seychelles The presence of blue whales in Seychelles waters was discovered during dedicated scientific investigations and scientists hope that further research on these elusive animals will be possible, said the Save Our Seas Foundation
America Grenada A senior Grenada government minister has confirmed that all elected members of parliament, including those in opposition, will benefit from a salary of $5.000 East Caribbean dollars (€1.700) starting 1 January 2024
Asia Maldives Pakistan has agreed to assist the country in fulfilling President Mohamed Muizzu's commitment to plant 5 million trees, in an agreement reached on the sidelines of COP28
America Argentina Despite Argentina's current economic situation, numerous foreigners are choosing to stay, reportedly drawn by the country's richness and dynamic society, counting for over 3 million residents in the 46 million people
Europe Monaco Bill 1083, extending paternity leave in the private sector, was unanimously approved by the National Council; it will be 21 days, instead of 12, for a single birth and 28, instead of 19, for multiple births or for families that already have two children
Asia Qatar Qatar was re-elected to the Council of the International Maritime Organisation in Category C for the two-year period 2024-2025, confirming the country's position at the centre of the international maritime legislature
Europe Germany A severe shortage of talent and skilled labour is threatening the success and continuity of vital industries in Germany, according to an annual report by the Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce
Africa Sao Tome and Principe The three universities of Sao Tome and Principe are facing an increase in school drop-outs, which they attribute mainly to the emigration of young people, a circumstance particularly visible this academic year in the reduction of enrollments
America Saint Lucia From January 2023 to the end of September, 15 persons died of AIDS-related illnesses; Senior Medical Officer Dr. Gajadhar recalled that the country passed from having no drugs to having antiretroviral therapy available and free to the patient
Oceania New Zealand St John's had no plan to deal with a terrorist attack, leaving the organisation unprepared to respond to the Christchurch mosque massacre that left 51 dead, according to an investigation
Asia Myanmar The Myanmar Embassy to Japan announced that over 800 Myanmar workers will be recruited in Japan