Africa Uganda Uber has ended its operations in Uganda after having been a commodity in the local urban transport for over a decade; the exit takes immediate effect and follows extensive review of Uber's business priorities across Africa
Oceania Samoa A team of researchers from the University of Auckland, Victoria University and Sāmoa Scientific Research Organisation claims to have found two extracts from traditional Samoan medicine that have antiviral activity against the virus that causes COVID-19
Oceania Vanuatu It is imperative to safeguard kava as a Pacific product, stated Vanuatu's Minister of Trade and Industry, Anatole Hymack, and to ensure its protection and recognition of its authentic Pacific origins
Asia Vietnam The main celebration of the 16th Red Sunday, the annual blood donation campaign, will take place at the Ha Noi University of Science and Technology on 24 December; it is expected to mobilise over 100.000 people and receive around 50.000 units of blood
Africa Namibia Nuclear energy remains a crucial element of the Namibian government's long-term plans, as mentioned in the National Integrated Resource Plan, said the Minister of Mines and Energy
Asia South Korea A survey released on 10 December by nongovernmental organization Workplace Gapjil 119 showed that 15,3% of South Korean workers have been subject to direct physical or verbal abuse at work, highligthing the ongoing issue of workplace harassment
Africa Democratic Republic of the Congo The election campaign has come to an end with insecurity, health and education the most debated and urgent issues that have dominated the messages of the various candidates in recent weeks; the country went to the polls yesterday
Asia Cyprus Tourism revenues grew by 25% in 2023 compared to the previous year, potentially marking a new record, according to Deputy Minister of Tourism Kostas Koumis
Africa Senegal A regional health emergency centre in capital Dakar has been inaugurated by Government and WHO 'to further strengthen the capacity of the African region to respond quickly and effectively to health crises and save lives'
Africa Ghana An innovative library built largely from recycled plastic bottles was inaugurated in Kokrobite, a fishing community on the outskirts of the capital, for students who have had difficult access to education
Europe Belgium As part of a national action plan to combat sepsis, the country is mobilising a specialised team; a recent Belgian TV programme on this potentially lethal disease caused a stir in parliament
Africa Tanzania The eviction of the indigenous Maasai people in Tanzania, has been condemned by the European Parliament, stating that indigenous rights are 'a non-negotiable part of any wildlife conservation initiative'; Tanzania claims they moved 'spontaneously'
Oceania Solomon Islands The global scabies programme of the Murdoch Children's Research Institute completed the first round of mass distribution of an anti-parasitic drug in the Solomon Islands and Fiji, helping to protect millions of people from the disease
Asia Sri Lanka The police have launched a new system to simplify the process of identifying criminals arrested for drug-related activities, with a specialised data system linking all police stations