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
Asia North Korea A Chinese website dedicated to DPRK investment opportunities published a list of NK export products with items like textiles, machinery and cars that violate UN sanctions but it’s unclear if shipments have actually occurred
Africa Seychelles 42.620 licensed vehicles, a record high reported in latest available data, is bringing road traffic to its limits, with daily congestions in the islands' road network
Africa Mauritania A four-day awareness caravan was organized in Aleg on the role of women’s mediation in resolving social disputes; specialized presentations will be offered on communication and advocacy, as well as how to promote and protect the rights of women and girls
Africa Togo Africa’s second-leading exporter of organic products to the EU, is urging stakeholders, especially those working with soya, pineapple, other key crops, to enhance practices and meet new certification standards set by EU and US Department of Agriculture
America Brazil A US$5,6 billion aid package for exporters affected by trade disruptions has been announced: it includes credit lines, direct aid, tax reliefs, and government purchases to stabilize the sector
Europe Liechtenstein On August 15 Liechtenstein celebrated its national holiday with fireworks and a large folk festival in Vaduz's town center; the UNICEF booth in the children's and youth zone attracted numerous visitors
America Argentina The Perito Moreno glacier, once considered uniquely stable, begin a rapid and likely irreversible retreat due to reduced snowfall and warmer summers, according to a new scientific study
America Dominican Republic Two artworks at the Via Sacra, a historic and religious heritage site located in the Basilica La Altagracia in Higüey, have been vandalized; built by Mitur with private sector contributions, it was inaugurated in 2024 as cultural and spiritual attraction
Africa Ghana The Bolgatanga Technical Institute has been closed down following a violent students protest that left some injured and several school properties burnt, including the library; the unrest was triggered by the suspension of six students for misconduct
Europe Vatican City The Holy See’s Permanent Observer to the Organization of American States reaffirmed its closeness to all indigenous peoples, especially indigenous women, speaking at a commemoration of International Day and 8th Inter-American Week of Indigenous Peoples
Europe Montenegro Wildfires have been plaguing Montenegro, with authorities updating the situation hour by hour as flames menace houses and underground fires make the situation even more dangerous; the arrival of a firefighting plane from the UAE is awaited
Africa Namibia From tomorrow 18 August Windhoek will phase out cash and outdated cards used for its bus service; passengers have been able to verify and transfer balances from their old smartcards to the new cashless system until yesterday
Oceania Fiji Movie 'Bati' was screened at Whanau Marama New Zealand International Film Festival: it is the first ever Fijian feature film selected for NZIFF, filmed in Suva and the highlands of Namosi, with a Fijian cast and crew