Europe Albania Diaspora is remembering 35 years since the cargo ship Vlora docked in Bari, Italy, with 20.000 refugees fleeing the collapse of the communist regime; the disembarking of 8 August 1991 is the largest single-vessel mass migration landing in European history
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
America Dominican Republic Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights warned that positive examples of press freedom are rare; remarks were made during the 81st General Assembly of the Inter-American Press Association in Punta Cana
Europe Belarus New bill “On amending the laws on the granting of loans” was signed to protect the property rights of citizens in relation to borrowing money; among other measures it prohibits having only residential property as collateral for loan contracts
Asia Iraq 20 IVECO Eurocargo firefighting trucks have been shipped to Iraq’s Directorate of Civil Defense, first delivery of ML180E28 4×2 model to the country; the vehicles come with 10.000-liter water tanks and high-performance pumping systems
Asia Singapore 589 claims worth S$72,5m have now been filed over the oilspill of 400 tonnes occurred on 14 June 2024 as Dutch dredger Vox Maxima struck the Marine Honour; Singapore has claimed S$18,4m, with S$31,5m approved so far
Europe Italy The value of "unobserved" economy has grown by €15,1 billion, marking a 7,5% increase on 2022 data, reaching €217 billion; the net value of illegal activities stands at just under €198 billion, up €14,9 billion on previous year, 9,2% of GPD in 2023
Africa Botswana The Beneath The Surface deep house events returns for the 8th edition today 18 October at Wagga Gardenex for a night of rhythm, soul, connection, attracting over 1.500 music lovers with an all-local lineup to promote Botswana’s talent
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 Armenia A crisis team will analyze the problem of traffic in Yerevan and develop solutions; PM stressed that the issue also has psychological and social consequences and that cars import must be considered an element of the puzzle
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
Oceania Micronesia Thousands of WWII shipwrecks scattered across the Pacific are emerging as an environmental threat, leaking oil and heavy metals into fragile marine ecosystems, fisheries and communities; dangers of the "ghost fleet" were also highlighted by Chuuk episode
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