Africa Madagascar The mass arrest of young activists from GEN Z has prompted the reaction of Amnesty International and the French Teachers' Union that denounce an intensification of repression, arbitrary arrest, enforced disappearance
Asia Turkey A new legislation imposing time, location and security restrictions on meetings between lawyers and detainees held on terrorism and organized crime charges is reportedly being drafted following cases where leaders kept issuing instructions from prison
Europe Poland Nearly one million Ukrainian refugees are still living in Poland after being driven from their homes by the start of the war with Russia four years ago, UNHCR reported, describing the circumstance as an sign of 'extraordinary solidarity'
Africa Cameroon After completing 20-year sentences for embezzlement of public funds, former officials Roger Belinga, head of Cameroon Housing Corporation and Gérard Ondo Ndong, director of Special Inter-communal Equipment and Intervention Fund were released
Europe Ukraine 5,9 million Ukrainian refugees are living outside four years after Russia's invasion; the number of people living within Ukraine is estimated between 30,5 and 39,5 million depending on geographical boundaries considered, a sharp drop from pre-2022 figures
Europe Bosnia and Herzegovina Many cases of gender-based and domestic violence never even reach a court – emboldening the abusers and leaving victims feeling helpless - even though stricter, specific laws have been introduced in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Africa eSwatini The official Opening of the 3rd Session of the 12th Parliament transcended legislative formality, transforming post-ceremonial luncheon into a high-calibre showcase of artistic excellence with a selection of local and international stars took to the stage
Oceania Australia Bush towns are spending millions just to guarantee their residents can see a doctor; six tiny WA centers spend AUS$1,5m each year on subsidies, their citizens facing shorter life expectancy due to inadequate medical services
Africa Democratic Republic of the Congo A key border post between DRC and Burundi reopened after over two months of closure triggered by an offensive by AFC/M23; the Kavimvira crossing, a vital trade route linking Uvira and Bujumbura, resumed operations as DRC regained control over the area
America Dominica The Girl Guides Association of Dominica has joined millions of members of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts in celebrating the centenary of World Thinking Day, a global tradition observed by over 12 million girls across 153 countries
Asia Tajikistan The first block train on new China to Tajikistan line departed Lanzhou with eight 40-foot containers with consumer goods and construction equipment; Traveling over 3.500 km it will cross Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan before reaching Dushanbe-2 railway station
Asia Vietnam Precision farming technologies are being promoted: AI-driven crop monitoring, satellite /drone-based field mapping, IoT sensors for soil and irrigation management, and blockchain for traceability, high-tech greenhouses, biotech seeds, digital supply chain
Europe Germany Director Ilker Catak, German with Turkish origins, won the Golden Bear in Berlin's film festival for his "Yellow Letters", a drama set in Turkey about creeping authoritarianism, in an event overshadowed by a row over politics in cinema
Africa Togo The “Big Catch-Up” initiative, implemented with support from UNICEF, will step up efforts to restore childhood vaccination coverage weakened by the COVID-19 pandemic, reintegrating into immunizing programs 40.000 unvaccinated or under-vaccinated children