Oceania Palau A historic $15 million financing agreement has been signed with Saudi Arabia, marking a shift in how Palua's National Development Bank will now operate, as the loan will be directly invested into building affordable housing
Oceania Palau A government proposed plan to allow fishing in 50% of Palau waters (now 20%) has heated a debate that is becoming one key issue dividing voters in this year’s general elections, which will take place on 5 November
Asia Palestine Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court, in its composition for the Situation in the State of Palestine, unanimously issued a warrant of arrest for Hamas leader Mohammed Diab Ibrahim Al-Masri, for war crimes committed from at least 7 10 23
Europe Finland One in four men in Finland under the age of 35 believe women may be deserving of violence due to behaviour or how they dress, showed survey on men's attitude commissioned by the Coalition of Finnish Women's Associations; it called findings "alarming"
Europe Switzerland From January 1, 2025, it will be forbidden to cover the face in public places throughout Switzerland; violations can be fined up to CHF1.000 (about $1.143); the new law does not apply in diplomatic premises and exceptions span from art to health reasons
Europe Sweden Four out of ten social workers responding to a union survey say they have been subjected to threats or violence in the past two years, Swedish Radio News reports
Asia Cyprus State health services Okypy will be submitting a new proposal regarding the millions of euros in incentives, on top of salaries, overtime and allowances, that around 650 state hospital doctors are demanding
Europe Portugal 70 beaches have been closed this season, 58 of which in the Centre, Tagus and West regions, according to data from Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente published following the official end of the summer season on 31 October in mainland Portugal
Asia Turkmenistan In honor of the 300th anniversary of the great Turkmen poet Magtymguly Fragi, an unusual competition of artists was held in Urgench: participants created a portrait of the classic from memory after viewing the original for five minutes
Asia Singapore Tailored on Asians, the Centre for Advanced Metabolic Imaging is addressing the gap in diagnostics, traditionally based on Caucasian body types; with cutting-edge technology like 320-slice CT scans, it provides more accurate heart and metabolic diagnoses
America Canada Canada Post general strike enters 2nd week, affecting most services and people, from isolated communities in the North to tens of thousands of citizens whose passports, printed and ready to be mailed before festive season, are being held by Service Canada
Asia Kuwait The country is tightening property ownership rules, imposing strict conditions on non-Gulf owners while expanding rights for Gulf Cooperation Council citizens, as it grapples with the region's least affordable housing market
Asia Laos The government held a meeting in Vientiane targeting Lao diaspora and descendants of Lao heritage; officials urged them to reconnect with their ancestral homeland and explore investment opportunities to support economic growth and strengthen cultural ties
Africa Democratic Republic of the Congo Since October 20, the rebel armed group M23 has defied the peace agreement in place, continuing to engage in military activities in the North Kivu province, sparking international fears of further instability in the area and worsening civilians' suffering