Europe Iceland With the highest show up ever recorded in Reykjavik, 52,8% of 225.031 of Icelanders voted against the government's proposal to resume talks on joining the EU after 13 years; Around 12.600 votes separated the figure from the 47,2% who voted in favor
Africa Gabon Gabonese striker Aubameyang, captain of the national soccer team, has signed a deal to play for Barcelona as a free agent until 2025
Asia Yemen The Health Minister discussed with the UNOPS Director the interventions in the health sector for 2022, such as the restoration of hospitals, provision of solar energy and electric generators in the countryside and rehabilitation of the sewerage system
Africa Comoros Since its dissolution in 2018, the National Fishing Company has ceased its activities; however, the State announces prospects of resuming activities with the appointment of a new head to lead the company
Africa Eritrea For the Microcredit and Savings Program in the Southern Region over 39 million Nakfa (nearly $2,5 million) was disbursed to clients in 2021; 63% of beneficiaries were women, 32% are involved in agricultural activities and 29% in small scale commerce
Asia Uzbekistan A grant of €2 million from Finland for the Centre for Hydro-meteorological Service will enable: capacity improvement, training of employees, better availability of information services, adaptation to climate change
Europe Vatican City In a historic interview on Sunday, the first granted live by the Pontiff to a TV program, the Pope addressed several issues, as denouncing the presence of camps in Libya and defining clericalism as the perversion of the Church
Africa Guinea The "Compagnie des Bauxites de Guinée" participated in the 39th annual conference of the International Committee for the Study of Bauxite, Alumina and Aluminium, recalling the importance of its environmental, social and governance strategies
Africa Zambia The overexploitation of protected nature reserves is of concern to the Centre for Environmental Justice Zambia, which is calling on government to respect Non-Extraction conservation commitments in protected areas
Asia Bangladesh Parbotto Zila Parishad distributed 31 automatic embroidery machines among unemployed women in Alikamdom, an 'upazila' ('subdistrict') of the Bandarban district
America Peru The government sued the oil company Repsol for the spilling of over 10.000 barrels of oil which took place near Lima on Jan 15, causing environmental damage in over 50 km of national coastline
Europe Finland The first 2022 maternity packs are being delivered this week, earlier than usual due to the increase in births; the updated congratulations letter includes tips on how to dress the baby and how to extend the life cycle of the newborn-related products
Africa Lesotho Since December, widespread favourable rains have facilitated engagement in the farming season and crop growth; however, high prices of fertilisers, agrochemicals and fuel are stopping households from properly tending their crops, reducing yield prospects
Asia Maldives The State Trading Organization donated paint to the Sh. Komandoo Health Center while the Fenaka Corporation donated four AC systems and a television set last week