Africa Somalia New EU VISA restrictions make it more difficult for Somalis to travel to the bloc; the recently approved measures intensify an ongoing dispute with Mogadishu over the return of Somalis living irregularly in the EU
Africa Comoros 25 migrants died as their boat capsized off the Comoros Islands after it was attacked by a group of traffickers; on board were at least 6 minors
Europe Andorra The school in Andorra will phase out iPads and start introducing Chromebooks that will be acquired by the ministry; authorities say the move should limit distracting elements outside the teaching environment
Africa Mali Return to school for the 2024-2025 school year took place yesterday, a month later than normal due to the severe floods that hit the country and the state of natural disaster; one week ago, 175 schools were still occupied by hundreds of families
Asia Afghanistan USAID announced a contract to sell 600 kg of Afghan saffron to Paris Exposition 2024, worth over $1million; Afghanistan’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce said that saffron cultivation has expanded to 26 provinces following ban on opium poppy cultivation
Europe Iceland Local goat breeders are trying to pursue the same selective breeding that is saving Icelandic sheep from scrapie, but without success; only about 2.000 Icelandic goats, vulnerable to the disease, are left
Africa Namibia Coca-Cola Beverages Africa invested $50 million in a new bottling line in Namibia, which will produce 27.000 bottles per hour, increasing production capacity by 30%
Africa Benin The country is home to an active judo federation that has 30 clubs and 1.200 judokas; the President of Benin Judo Federation and the Secretary General are committed to finding solutions to increase the number of women in the sport, which still remains low
Africa Algeria Kamel Daoud won Prix Goncourt 2024, the most prestigious French literary award, becoming the first Algerian to win the prize; his novel 'Houris' is a gripping evocation of Algeria's 'black decade' (1992-2002)
Asia Tajikistan Journalist and environmental activist Zulfiya Golubeva launched the #OzmuniSabz2024 environmental campaign, offering citizens the opportunity to help clean up the capital and win valuable prizes with the support of the European Delegation in Tajikistan
America Saint Kitts and Nevis Clearing of lands for the construction of new smart homes has begun, marking the first step forward in the government's mission to provide affordable, high-quality, climate-resilient housing
Africa Togo The Chamber of Commerce and Industry will support 150 small and medium-sized enterprises in their digital transformation to improve the competitiveness of Togolese companies through digital technology
Europe Bosnia and Herzegovina The World Uyghur Congress, an international organisation of exiled Uyghurs, which held its general assembly in Sarajevo in October, claimed that the Chinese embassy exerted pressure to cancel the event with a “coordinated and aggressive campaign”
Europe Vatican City The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors released its first report; after 10 years of extensive research across five continents, it identifies progress in best practices and steps to be take, calls for more transparency and rigorous response