Europe Spain A political and cultural dispute erupted over Basque regional government's formal request to host Pablo Picasso’s anti-war painting Guernica for 9 months; 2027 marks 90th anniversary of the first Basque government and of the bombing of the town Guernica
Asia Taiwan Kinmen County Government with conservation group Aquatic Renewal Workshop released the endemic large-scale lesser-bream into Kinmen’s Qingtian Reservoir; extinct on Taiwan’s main island since 1920s, Kinmen may now serve as the species’ last natural refuge
Africa Benin The Productive Social Safety Nets "Gbessoke" program, designed to help the most vulnerable achieve independence, marks a turning point in Benin's solidarity policy; it was official launched in Cotonou earlier this week
Europe Malta The 2025 autumn trapping season for the song thrush (malvizz) and the golden plover (pluviera), that will run from 20 October to 31 December 2025 and from 1 November 2025 to 10 January 2026, with quotas set at 5.000 song thrushes and 700 golden plovers
Asia South Korea The “ADEX 2025” arms fair has been opened, featuring unmanned systems and AI-powered weapons from over 600 global firms; The show highlights Seoul’s push to modernise its defence industry, amid rising regional security tensions
Asia Iraq 20 IVECO Eurocargo firefighting trucks have been shipped to Iraq’s Directorate of Civil Defense, first delivery of ML180E28 4×2 model to the country; the vehicles come with 10.000-liter water tanks and high-performance pumping systems
Asia Armenia A crisis team will analyze the problem of traffic in Yerevan and develop solutions; PM stressed that the issue also has psychological and social consequences and that cars import must be considered an element of the puzzle
Asia Bahrain A joint inspection campaign in several marine areas was conducted to ensure compliance with maritime safety regulations and to raise awareness among workers and sea-goers about the importance of following safety guidelines and instructions
Europe Belgium A new plan to combat antimicrobial resistance will be launched amid a global rise in infections resistant to common antibiotics; the WHO calls the occurrence a “silent pandemic”
Africa Botswana The Beneath The Surface deep house events returns for the 8th edition today 18 October at Wagga Gardenex for a night of rhythm, soul, connection, attracting over 1.500 music lovers with an all-local lineup to promote Botswana’s talent
Asia Bangladesh The 'July Joddha Sangsad', or July fighters, announced a highway blockade in every district across Bangladesh Sunday 19 October if their demands are not included in the July Charter: recognition as martyrs, rehabilitation of families, legal assistance
Africa Chad A conservation group linked to Prince Harry and Chad's government have agreed to sign a new partnership two weeks after the country closed links with the organisation African Parks accusing it of failing to curb poaching
Africa Algeria Commemorating the 64th anniversary of the demonstrations of 17 October 1961, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune delivered a message on the occasion of the National Immigration Day
Asia Singapore 589 claims worth S$72,5m have now been filed over the oilspill of 400 tonnes occurred on 14 June 2024 as Dutch dredger Vox Maxima struck the Marine Honour; Singapore has claimed S$18,4m, with S$31,5m approved so far