America Uruguay Plans to expand forest monocultures and ease environmental oversight have been criticized for deepening Uruguay’s water crisis, degrading ecosystems, and displacing rural communities without delivering meaningful economic benefits
Europe Belgium A new plan to combat antimicrobial resistance will be launched amid a global rise in infections resistant to common antibiotics; the WHO calls the occurrence a “silent pandemic”
Africa Botswana The Beneath The Surface deep house events returns for the 8th edition today 18 October at Wagga Gardenex for a night of rhythm, soul, connection, attracting over 1.500 music lovers with an all-local lineup to promote Botswana’s talent
Africa Chad A conservation group linked to Prince Harry and Chad's government have agreed to sign a new partnership two weeks after the country closed links with the organisation African Parks accusing it of failing to curb poaching
Africa Algeria Commemorating the 64th anniversary of the demonstrations of 17 October 1961, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune delivered a message on the occasion of the National Immigration Day
Asia Iraq 20 IVECO Eurocargo firefighting trucks have been shipped to Iraq’s Directorate of Civil Defense, first delivery of ML180E28 4×2 model to the country; the vehicles come with 10.000-liter water tanks and high-performance pumping systems
Europe Belarus New bill “On amending the laws on the granting of loans” was signed to protect the property rights of citizens in relation to borrowing money; among other measures it prohibits having only residential property as collateral for loan contracts
Asia Singapore 589 claims worth S$72,5m have now been filed over the oilspill of 400 tonnes occurred on 14 June 2024 as Dutch dredger Vox Maxima struck the Marine Honour; Singapore has claimed S$18,4m, with S$31,5m approved so far
Asia Bangladesh The 'July Joddha Sangsad', or July fighters, announced a highway blockade in every district across Bangladesh Sunday 19 October if their demands are not included in the July Charter: recognition as martyrs, rehabilitation of families, legal assistance
Asia United Arab Emirates Nature reserves in Abu Dhabi will reach 20% of the Emirate’s total land area; the initiative fits in the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025 program and reinforces UAE’s commitment to global leadership in sustainability and environmental preservation
Africa Uganda At the border with DRC health officials are suspected of selling fraudulent yellow fever documents; as travellers appear immunised on paper, but they are not, the risk of outbreaks increases in a region marked by regular movement of thousands of people
Africa Namibia Singer, songwriter and disability advocate Alvarita Benedito Lucungo, known professionally as Alvara, is set to represent Namibia at the Grenzenlos Kultur Festival in Mainz, Germany, an international celebration of inclusive art and performance
Europe Netherlands 20.000 Dutch men a year travel abroad with the intention of sexually abusing a child, a recent study commissioned by the Scientific Research and Data Center found; the anti-abuse organization Offlimits launched a campaign aimed at stopping the phenomenon
Africa Morocco Crowds took to the streets of Rabat, Casablanca, Tangier, Kenitra, Oujda and Tetouan to celebrate the national U20 team’s qualification for the World Cup final after a semi-final win over France