Africa Togo Five women's cooperatives involved in rice parboiling have received new equipment including large-capacity soaking tanks, eco-friendly stoves, parboiling units; the Food Resilience Systems Program in West Africa aims at cutting losses and raising output
Europe Finland Three crew members of the oil tanker Eagle S, believed to belong to Russia's so-called shadow fleet, were charged with aggravated criminal mischief for damaging 5 Baltic Sea cables last December by dragging the ship's anchor on the seabed for around 90km
Europe Greece 140.000 permanent public school teachers will be evaluated in a decade, according to estimates by the competent authority: the evaluation law was passed in 2021 but few have been assessed so far, while 30.000 newly hired teachers have undergone evaluation
Asia Bahrain Bahrain Post’s online services will be available exclusively in app MyGov from 28 August; the move will unify access to government e-services, enhancing digital transformation process, in line with users’ expectations for seamless, integrated experience
America Colombia Colombia has faced a worsening health system crisis that has forced the closure of maternity wards and emergency rooms due to delayed government payments and insufficient transfers to health insurers
Oceania Australia Nationwide ban on use of private mobile phone for early childcare workers will be discussed at ministry level, with other measures for child protection: a National Educator Register, tougher penalties for noncompliance, mandatory safety training for staff
Europe Romania National Cyber Security Directorate has issued a warning about a new online scam that fraudulently uses the image of president Nicușor Dan in so-called “quick investment” schemes
America Dominica Sharon Clifton Kelsick, from Castle Bruce, an experienced, long-serving educator, has been elected as the new president of the Caribbean Union of Teachers; it's the second occasion in the union’s history that a woman has assumed the regional role
Asia East Timor A military hospital, fully funded by China under newly signed agreement in military cooperation, will be built in Timor Leste; the signing has been part of celebrations of the 50th Anniversary of the National Liberation of Armed Forces held in Tasi Tolu
America Grenada The Grenada Tourism Authority has announced the launch of a new international destination magazine in partnership with Greydoor Publishing; the publication will be a storytelling platform capturing the essence of Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique
Africa Cape Verde To activate crisis funds and urgent infrastructure repairs Cape Verde has declared a state of emergency on the islands of São Vicente and Santo Antão, devastated by floods which killed at least nine people and forced 1.500 from their homes
Europe Bulgaria Political chaos has created a media vacuum in which citizens are vulnerable to disinformation and Kremlin-led narratives proliferate; with highest rate of news avoidance and lowest media literacy in Europe, a better enforcement of existing rules is needed
Oceania Papua New Guinea The country's first five coronary bypass graft surgeries have been successfully performed at Port Moresby general hospital by a mixed team of PNG and Singapore doctors from 15 to 19 August
Asia Kuwait Online game Roblox will be soon blocked upon Ministerial decision, citing its potential dangers to children's behavior and mental health; similar bans are in place in Qatar, Oman, China, Turkey, Jordan, North Korea and Kuwait public called on authorities