Europe Sweden Several youths in Vallentuna were poisoned by isopropanol after drinking alcohol bought from a "vodkabil" that they got in touch with via Snapchat; according to Poison Information Centre the substance, used to clean electronics, is dangerous if ingested
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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 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
Asia Bahrain A joint inspection campaign in several marine areas was conducted to ensure compliance with maritime safety regulations and to raise awareness among workers and sea-goers about the importance of following safety guidelines and instructions
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