Asia Jordan Increase in container traffic at the Aqaba Container Terminal during the past month, despite regional tensions, reflects Jordan’s growing logistical role in the region with flexible supply chains at Aqaba Port becoming a secure, stable alternative route
Europe Albania National laws may be compliant with international standards but weak oversight, corruption and cash economies hamper an effective battle against money-laundering, says new report on illicit finance in the Western Balkans
Oceania New Zealand The volume of construction work in New Zealand in the September quarter amounted to NZ$7,8 billion (€4,332 billion), -3,2% from the June quarter, according to Stats NZ statistics department report
Europe Switzerland First physical and commercially usable quantum computer was inaugurated at Uptown Basel competence centre in Arlesheim; it will be available to companies, academic institutions and start-ups in areas such as simulation, optimisation and machine learning
Asia Maldives At a press conference on the government's efforts to control tobacco in the Maldives, Minister Nazim mentioned that cessation clinics are in operation and revealed the establishment of helpline 1676
Asia Kuwait On the eve of its planned release in Kuwait, the movie 'Wicked' was removed from cinema listings; the ban was not explained but it is said that the inclusion of an LGBTQ character may have been a contributing factor
Africa Niger The military authorities took control of the uranium mining operations of French nuclear company Orano; after coming to power, they stated that they would review the regulations governing the extraction of raw materials by foreign companies
Africa Libya All commercial banks operating in Libya can now offer interest-free loans for electronic purchases, to help citizens cope with the country's current liquidity crisis
Africa Republic of the Congo The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with North Korea came into force: it obliges each of the two signatory countries to 'provide immediate military assistance' in the event of an attack against the other and to jointly counter Western sanctions
Europe Montenegro Total foreign trade amounted to €3,88 billion in January-October 2024, or +3,1% compared to the same period last year; Serbia emerged Montenegro's most significant trading partner, according to preliminary data from Monstat
Asia Kazakhstan Over 83.000 girls between 11 and 13 years of age have been vaccinated against HPV; in October, a large-scale HPV vaccination had been launched as part of the national infectious disease and cancer prevention programme
Asia Vietnam Vietnamese tycoon Trương Mỹ Lan, founder of Vạn Thịnh Phát, was sentenced to death for embezzling $12.5 billion via Saigon Joint Stock Commercial Bank; her sentence may be commuted to life if she repays 75% of the funds
America Barbados Barbados appeared before the International Court of Justice, the first time ever in history; the Minister of Productive Sectors and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade presented on climate justice and assistance
Europe Lithuania The new cabinet will be formed without the Ministers of the Environment and Justice after Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda signed a decree approving the move