Asia India The patent on semaglutide, the molecule behind Novo Nordisk's weight-loss drugs Wegovy and Ozempic, expired in India allowing domestic pharma to release generics; the competition could cut prices by half, expand people's access and reach $1bn in value
Asia Uzbekistan The Industry, Radiation and Nuclear Safety Committee has prepared a draft resolution that provides for the establishment of basic standards for building and encouraging safety culture at nuclear plants and at entities servicing them
Oceania Vanuatu The Minister for Environment and Climate Change said he is “tired” of Vanuatu being a dumping ground for second hand vehicles from abroad and Amendment to the Bill for the Motor Vehicles will enforce strict emission standards on all imported vehicles
Europe Denmark The southern half of Copenhagen Light Rail will open to passengers tomorrow, with free tickets for the day, after years of work and traffic disruptions; the full line, from Ishøj to Lundtofte, is scheduled to open in summer 2026
America Bahamas Construction of the $4.5 million Abaco Hurricane Shelter and Community Centre in Marsh Harbour is completed; the shelter is capable of housing 400 to 800 people during storms and natural disasters, 3% of Abaco's population, hopefully reaching 10%
Africa Cameroon Internet access across Cameroon has been disrupted amid widespread protests following the disputed presidential election; monitoring organization NetBlocks confirmed “major ongoing disruption” to connectivity limiting media coverage of unfolding events
Africa Guinea-Bissau Experts say that with the main opposition candidates barred from contesting, the election scheduled this November is at risk of becoming an exercise to legitimize President Umaro Embalo, self-proclaimed in 2020
Europe Bosnia and Herzegovina The country's fragmented political landscape and inadequate digital oversight make adolescents vulnerable to online indoctrination by extremists; fears raised a year ago when a policeman was killed by a radicalized teenager seem confirmed by trends
Oceania Marshall Islands The Majol Matrix robotics team, five high school students, will represent the Marshall Islands at international robotics competition FIRST Global Challenge staring 27 October
Asia Azerbaijan Baku port is targeting 25 million tons throughput, as transport and transit sector continues to be a top priority on Azerbaijan’s national agenda due to its strategic importance for trade, attracting investment, and unlocking economic opportunities
Europe United Kingdom King Charles III prayed alongside Pope Leo during the King's visit to the Vatican; it was the first time the British monarch, also the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, and the leader of the Catholic Church have prayed together in five centuries
Oceania Fiji Justice Chaitanya Laksman, representing the Raiwaqa Crematorium Committee has called on lawmakers to incorporate cremation provisions into the Burial and Cremation Amendment, 2025, rather than leaving them to ministerial regulations
Asia Maldives Today's public referendum in Addu City to determine the jurisdictional composition of the City Council raises doubts about fairness, transparency, and participation: scheduled in a rush it left no time for public awareness and informed decision-making
Africa Chad Nearly 5 million children aged 0 to 59 months will be immunized against polio between 31 October and 2 November; the national campaign aims to prevent a resurgence of the virus; vaccines will be administered free of charge to all beneficiaries