Europe Russia Intensified web control, restrictions and widespread internet shutdowns are now surpassing those of the PRC in scope and impact; businesses disruption, estimated in over $60 million in Moscow alone in 5 days, sparked criticism beyond opposition groups
Asia Lebanon Works have begun on the lighting of the tunnel in front of the Phoenicia Hotel in downtown Beirut; Ministry of Public Works and Transport confirmed next phase will include cleaning, repairing damaged tiles, and the overall rehabilitation of the tunnel
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 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
Asia Jordan The UN World Tourism Organisation has named North Azraq village among the Best Tourism Villages in the World for 2025, recognising its fulfilment of all the criteria in the fifth edition of the Global Best Tourism Villages Initiative
Europe Czech Republic Today marks the 80th anniversary of the October 19, 1945, first organised transport of settlers from Prague to the Czech borderlands, beginning post-war efforts to resettle areas that had been left deserted after the expulsion of German-speaking citizens
Europe Luxembourg Entrepreneurship in Luxembourg is increasing, but new figures from STATEC suggest that enthusiasm for artificial intelligence is matched by growing anxiety about its risks
Africa Burkina Faso In its firm commitment to implementing Water Battle Initiative (IB-Eau) to provide every Burkinabe with access to drinking water, government is increasing actions Tiébélé, in the Nazinon region bringing relief to the populations of this semi-urban commune
Europe Albania Alert has increased over money laundering and more focus is given to the phenomenon in the 2026-2030 guidelines as cross-border transactions have increased
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
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
America Antigua and Barbuda Heavy rainfall and the aftermath of Tropical Storm Jerry caused flash floodings, forcing the National Office of Disaster Services to focus immediately on response and assessments, shadowing activities for International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction
Asia Mongolia Cabinet approved Resolution on “Mongolia’s Accession to the International Snow Leopard Trust”; membership will enable Mongolia to strengthen protection of snow leopards and their habitats, improving life of herder communities living in their range areas
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