Africa Tanzania A comprehensive voluntary repatriation program has been finalized to bring back Tanzanian citizens living in South Africa, following growing impatience towards African immigrants; in co-operation with local authorities, returnees will undergo verification
Africa Djibouti UNFPA in Djibouti and the Italian ambassador signed an agreement to launch the gender violence response programme, creating a multidimensional centre for access to various free services for victims of gender-based violence
Europe Switzerland Swiss voters took part in three referendums, expressing their support for breakthrough measures on taxation, environmental policy and COVID-19, with a turnout of 42%
Africa Democratic Republic of the Congo The 'forced prostitution' of women and girls in IDP camps in the east of the country has been recognized, made public and condemned by Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for Sexual Violence in Conflict
Africa Rwanda Fulgence Kayishema, accused of playing a major role in the genocide in Rwanda and arrested last month near Cape Town after 22 years on the run, will seek asylum in South Africa, his lawyer announced
Africa Zimbabwe The country has seen record tobacco sales as it re-establishes itself as one of the world's top producers; yet small farmers who now sell their crop mainly to China are 'heavily indebted' and see 'minimal' benefits
Europe Portugal A new tobacco law has been approved: it bans smoking at beaches, public swimming pools and water parks as well as next to certain public buildings such as schools, hospitals, restaurants and will be effective starting October 2023
Africa Ghana With a +32% in gold production last year - considering both small-scale and large-scale mines - Ghana has regained its status of Africa's leading gold producer
Asia Lebanon The Lebanese tourism chief called on the country's political and security leaders to work together to create the conditions for an eventful summer season, asking the authorities to ease traffic restrictions where possible to encourage visitors
Europe Poland Some 50,8% of Poles agree that Poland's participation in the relocation of asylum seekers should be subject to a national referendum, an idea put forward by the leader of the governing Law and Justice party
Africa Libya Electoral laws recently agreed upon by Libya's two legislative bodies are not enough to resolve contentious issues and allow elections in the country, according to UN envoy to Libya Abdoulaye Bathily
Asia Sri Lanka Health Minister Keheliya, expressing disappointment at the exorbitant prices of drugs on the market, despite the strong and steady depreciation of the dollar against the rupee, admitted that the government or Ministry of Health could do nothing about it
Europe Kosovo The Gender Equality Facility project was launched in Prishtina to support the country in the process of integration into the EU, ensuring gender equality in all areas and the strengthening of the gender equality mechanism
Europe France After years of attempts to limit the rat problem, Paris administration led by socialist mayor Hidalgo will try a different approach, aimed at 'cohabitation' of rodents with residents, finding new ways to improve the quality of life despite their presence