Europe Switzerland Supermarket chains Coop and Migros are recalling cheese products due to a possible risk of salmonella; contaminated Kräuterbrie soft cheese found at Landbrügg dairy triggered the measure and the dairy's decision to recall its entire product range
Europe Norway The number of Norwegians on sick leave has reached its highest level in 15 years, according to new data from state statistics office; politicians and other state officials complain about the resulting lack of productivity and costs to the welfare state
Africa South Africa Pravin Gordhan, former finance minister and anti-apartheid activist, has died; presidential spokesman Vincent Magwenya remembered him as 'an outstanding leader', recalling his sacrifices and efforts
Europe Malta Recent regulations limiting the number of pet boarding houses will likely lead to a significant increase in fees, animal rights activists and pet sitters have warned, up to a 40% increase in daily fees
Africa Comoros The representative of the World Health Organisation has been elevated to the rank of Knight of the Order of the Green Crescent of the Comoros upon decision of the President Azali Assoumani
Asia East Timor Some 600.000 people crowded the same seaside park for Pope Francis' final mass 35 years after St John Paul II prayed during the nation's struggle for independence from Indonesia
Europe Luxembourg Banks offering state-guaranteed higher education loans to Luxembourg students must stay below a 2% interest cap, the government said
Africa Central African Republic A dengue epidemic is underway in Bangui, the Central African Ministry of Health has confirmed, saying it is the first time dengue has been reported in Central Africa
America United States Pope Francis reportedly commented he wouldn't know which is the 'lesser of two evils' between Harris and Trump: both 'are anti-life', referring to their positions on abortion rights and the reception of migrants respectively
Africa Madagascar The state intends to disseminate hybrid rice technology on a large scale in order to increase agricultural yields by as much as threefold
Europe Bosnia and Herzegovina Mothers and wives from Srebrenica and Podrinje demonstrated peacefully on the 11th of this month in Tuzla's Freedom Square with the message that they will never give up the search for the remains of their loved ones
Africa Mauritius A group of organisations, which support the right to social security, praised the Mauritius government for its decision to extend the universal child allowance, called Contribution Sociale Généralisée, for another year, from July 2024 to June 2025
Asia Pakistan Amendments to the Pakistan Penal Code that make necrophilia an official crime after years of a legislative vacuum on the subject have been approved unanimously by the Senate
Europe Netherlands A consortium of municipalities, private investors and industry organisations has warned that if the Council of Ministers applies all measures planned for art and culture, i.e. VAT from 9% to 21%, the sector will lose EUR 350 million per year