Africa Eritrea The Arbaete Asmara sub-zone has been declared free of female genital mutilation after authorities verification that followed years of local monitoring, community reporting systems and coordinated action by health workers and local administrations
Asia Indonesia A four-year ban on international carbon trading has been lifted and a new regulated system ensures transparency and fair profit-sharing; The move aims to boost green investment for Indonesia's companies and strengthen national control over climate finance
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
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”
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 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
Europe Belarus New bill “On amending the laws on the granting of loans” was signed to protect the property rights of citizens in relation to borrowing money; among other measures it prohibits having only residential property as collateral for loan contracts
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 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
Africa Democratic Republic of the Congo At the border with Uganda health officials are suspected of selling fraudulent yellow fever documents; as travellers appear immunised on paper, but they are not, the risk of outbreaks increases in a region marked by regular movement of thousands of people
Africa eSwatini Investigations have revealed that about 41 drivers in the Ministry of Education and Training allegedly siphoned more than E11.9 million (€590.000) from government coffers through fraudulent overtime claims dating back five years
Europe Greece Competition Commission has identified inefficiencies and potential distortions in coastal shipping; with 299 vessels operated by 216 companies the sector remains concentrated, with Attica Group and Seajets controlling about 60% of total passenger capacity