Asia Vietnam A nationwide online competition on the Constitution was launched through a dedicated digital platform, allowing citizens to test their knowledge online; the initiative is part of a broader government campaign to improve citizenship awareness
Europe Switzerland First physical and commercially usable quantum computer was inaugurated at Uptown Basel competence centre in Arlesheim; it will be available to companies, academic institutions and start-ups in areas such as simulation, optimisation and machine learning
Africa South Africa Women for Change, a South African non-profit organisation, has launched a petition calling for the cancellation of Chris Brown's performance at the First National Bank Stadium in Johannesburg because of his history of violence against women
Asia Kazakhstan Over 83.000 girls between 11 and 13 years of age have been vaccinated against HPV; in October, a large-scale HPV vaccination had been launched as part of the national infectious disease and cancer prevention programme
Asia Mongolia A Mongolian Culture Center has opened at the University of Parma, Italy, following Florence; Aligned with Mongolia’s 2020-2024 action plan, it promotes Mongolian language, culture and studies, strengthening cultural ties locally and advancing research
Europe Malta Emissions from domestic transport, buildings, agriculture, small industry and waste in Malta have increased by more than 30% since 2005, the highest increase in the EU, according to data Data
Asia Cambodia The Media Forum on Gender Equality urged to tackle stereotypes, promote responsible reporting and amplify women’s voices; Ministry of Women’s Affairs introduced Neary Rattanak VI project, focusing on empowerment, leadership, legal protection for females
Asia Maldives At a press conference on the government's efforts to control tobacco in the Maldives, Minister Nazim mentioned that cessation clinics are in operation and revealed the establishment of helpline 1676
Europe Montenegro Total foreign trade amounted to €3,88 billion in January-October 2024, or +3,1% compared to the same period last year; Serbia emerged Montenegro's most significant trading partner, according to preliminary data from Monstat
Europe Albania National laws may be compliant with international standards but weak oversight, corruption and cash economies hamper an effective battle against money-laundering, says new report on illicit finance in the Western Balkans
Africa Cameroon Cameroonian-Swiss Koyo Kouoh, 57, has been appointed Director of the Visual Arts Sector of the next Venice Biennale, with the specific task of curating the 61st International Art Exhibition in 2026, becoming the first African woman to oversee the event
Africa Ivory Coast The know-how linked to the preparation of attiéké, an ancestral and emblematic dish of Côte d'Ivoire, has been included in the list of the UNESCO intangible cultural heritage of Côte d'Ivoire
Oceania Marshall Islands Air Marshall Islands, the flag carrier of the country, will be granted a preferential loan by Taiwan to enable the purchase of more aircraft
Oceania New Zealand The volume of construction work in New Zealand in the September quarter amounted to NZ$7,8 billion (€4,332 billion), -3,2% from the June quarter, according to Stats NZ statistics department report