Asia Afghanistan Over 390 tonnes of humanitarian aid have been delivered to Afghanistan by the European Union Office for Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid in 2024; the EU delegation stressed that humanitarian aid cannot replace 'economic development'
Africa Mauritania Mauritania is hosting over 262.000 refugees from Mali, mostly women and children, estimates UN refugee agency
America Antigua and Barbuda The Cabinet identified several locations for domestic investment, targeting Antigua and Barbudans who currently have large savings that yield a minimal return, hoping to increase local ownership in the tourism industry
Asia Syria The draft general budget for 2025 presented this week, 28% higher than 2024, allocates 70% of resources for current spending and 30% for investment, but raises concerns regarding the budget’s failure to adequately address poverty and food insecurity
Asia East Timor A geologist from Estrella Resources has mapped under a zone of supergene manganese in an exposed outcrop 500 m south-west of the Samalari discovery, by now the largest manganese outcrop ever observed in East Timor
Africa Burkina Faso Over 350 people accused of hostile behaviour and terrorist espionage were arrested, according to a statement issued by the Burkinabé government's Information Service
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
Africa Cape Verde Work on the Palliative Care Centre on the island of Fogo, which will provide a space for terminally ill patients, is in its final stages and should be completed soon, the Minister of Health announced on a visit to the facilities
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
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
America Brazil In Brazil’s recent municipal elections, a record 256 Indigenous candidates won positions as mayors, vice mayors, and councilors, marking an 8% increase, with Indigenous votes rising as other demographics saw declines
Africa Gambia The 81st regular session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights officially opened in Banjul with representatives of member states, civil society organisations and human rights advocates
Africa Niger Exports of rice, cereals and other food products have been banned to all countries except the member countries of the Alliance of Sahel States to protect local supplies
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