Africa Mauritania The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has launched an emergency fundraising appeal to help the Mauritanian Red Crescent expand its response to the influx of Malian refugees
Asia Iran Statements by the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, who said that Tehran is ready to negotiate with France on the implementation of a UN resolution concerning southern Lebanon, have been challenged by Lebanon's interim Prime Minister
Europe Netherlands Contraceptives will not be supplied free of charge for adult women; the Hague Court of Appeal had rejected the request and the Attorney General at the Supreme Court ruled that the decision can stand
Oceania Marshall Islands The long-awaited 'Enra' payment programme initiative, a cash contribution to elegible citizens, will probably take place next year and not in December as previously planned by the government
Europe Germany Germany will provide state guarantees for wind energy production, part of a package that aims at strengthening the wind energy industry amid concerns from European governments and companies about the leading role of Chinese companies in this industry
Europe Italy The court of Rome did not validate the detention of first 12 migrants brought by an Italian ship from the Mediterranean Sea to the immigration centre built in Albania with a billion euros investment; the cost of military ship journey wasn't made public
Asia Pakistan Sindh province - over 55 million people - has adopted a new 10-point grading system for matriculation and intermediate exams; the reform aims to alleviate the pressure on students striving for high marks and promote a more balanced educational environment
Africa Sao Tome and Principe Doctors said that they will start an indefinite general strike from 24 October to demand working conditions and safety, denouncing the failure to fulfil government commitments
America Nicaragua Nicaragua has severed diplomatic ties with Israel, condemning what it calls "genocide" against Palestinians; the move was taken in response to a request from the country’s National Assembly during a session of solidarity with Palestine
Africa Mauritius A new variety of papaya, named Goldie, developed by the Agro-Food Research and Extension Institute, was presented by the Ministry of Agribusiness and Food Security at a sales exhibition at Réduit Agricultural Services
Africa Lesotho The government has launched the Lesotho Public Sector Foundations for Service Delivery Project, an initiative to overhaul the country's public service sector by enhancing digital infrastructure and better financial management
America Panama Due to severe drought, vessel transit through the Panama Canal dropped by 29% in 2024, as reduced rainfall lowered water levels in the canal’s artificial lakes, cutting daily ship passages from 38 to 22
Europe Switzerland Ten-year fixed mortgage rates for loans emitted in Switzerland halved since 2022 peak according to online comparison platform Comparis; this relatively low level has led to strong demand, with 72% of those surveyed choosing a ten-year fixed-rate mortgage
America Paraguay National Police seized hundreds of illegal Bitcoin mining machines as part of ongoing efforts to combat unauthorized cryptocurrency mining, which is severely straining the national power grid