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
Oceania Solomon Islands A new toilet facility was handed over to Honiara Senior High School, an important achievement in improving sanitation and hygiene in schools across Honiara; the project was funded by New Zealand through UNICEF and S.I. Ministry of Education
Europe Montenegro State prosecutors have accused and arrested former minister Predrag Boskovic, an opposition official, of being part of a criminal organisation that targeted political opponents using the media and social networks
Africa Morocco Crowds took to the streets of Rabat, Casablanca, Tangier, Kenitra, Oujda and Tetouan to celebrate the national U20 team’s qualification for the World Cup final after a semi-final win over France
Asia Bhutan Dasai was celebrated by the Bhutanese Hindu community according to tradition;: families gather to receive tika and blessings from parents and elders; the most important of festivals celebrates the victory of good (Dharmaja Ram) over evil r(demon Rahana)
Europe Iceland Laugarás Lagoon opened to the public; the new bathing facility extends over around one thousand square meters and offers a view over the river Hvítá and the surrounding countryside
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
Africa Namibia Singer, songwriter and disability advocate Alvarita Benedito Lucungo, known professionally as Alvara, is set to represent Namibia at the Grenzenlos Kultur Festival in Mainz, Germany, an international celebration of inclusive art and performance
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
Europe Netherlands 20.000 Dutch men a year travel abroad with the intention of sexually abusing a child, a recent study commissioned by the Scientific Research and Data Center found; the anti-abuse organization Offlimits launched a campaign aimed at stopping the phenomenon
Europe Moldova The Decision on the Methodological Norms for the Development and Approval of National Tourist Routes has been approved; a key measure for fostering the sustainable growth of the tourism sector according the Ministry of Culture
Africa Gambia The Gambia Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Seedy KM Keita, has formally assumed the chairmanship of the African Caucus of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank
Europe Bulgaria Cabinet approved amendments to the Organ, Tissue and Cell Transplantation Act eliminating the requirement of explicit written consent during a person’s lifetime to the removal of organs, tissues and cells after their death
Africa Somalia Protest will not be tolerated, the Minister of Defense said amid growing tension between the Somali government and leading opposition figures, who are accused of receiving external funding to organize protests, which he said posed a security risk