Europe Russia Intensified web control, restrictions and widespread internet shutdowns are now surpassing those of the PRC in scope and impact; businesses disruption, estimated in over $60 million in Moscow alone in 5 days, sparked criticism beyond opposition groups
Oceania Marshall Islands The naming ceremony and upcoming handing over of the first wind-propulsion, the SV Juren Ae, wa held in Korean shipyard; it's Pacific Island Sailing Supply vessel for domestic sea transportation in the Marshall Islands and in the Pacific Region
Africa Mozambique 940 million dollars of investment in tourism was attracted last year, a 17% increase over 2022, and the sector continues to grow; however, the problem of kidnappings still frightens some potential visitors, the president acknowledged
Oceania Nauru The country is considering exchanging Australian dollars for the Chinese yuan in the latest part of the region's banking diplomacy game
Africa Mali The Swedish ambassador in Bamako was ordered to leave the country within 72 hours after the Swedish minister for development cooperation and international trade stated that the government had decided to phase out aid to Mali
Europe Portugal Lisbon properties are registering a 25% increase more than in Madrid, thus becoming the most expensive city to buy a house in the Iberian Peninsula, Idealista source reports
America Nicaragua The Catholic Church in Nicaragua is facing a new wave of arrests as eight priests and a deacon were detained this past week, 7 of which have now been expelled from the country; authorities have yet to provide official details on the reasons of these acts
Africa Morocco Smoking is responsible for 8% of the country's deaths, Health Minister Khaled Ait Taleb reported, pointing out that lung cancer is responsible for 75% of deaths
Europe Monaco Prince Albert II, as President of the Monaco Red Cross, visited the French Red Cross operations centre in Montrouge to learn about the organisation in place during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games
America Guyana Indigenous communities in Guyana have successfully protected the endangered red siskin, a bird sought after by illegal traders; communities have established one of Guyana's first conservation zones and implemented anti-smuggling patrols
Asia Nepal The Accountability Oversight Committee stated that the bill to amend the Law on the Commission for the Investigation of Disappearances, Truth and Reconciliation contains serious errors
America Colombia At 17, Ángel Barajas made history by winning Colombia's first Olympic gymnastics medal, securing silver on the horizontal bar at the Paris 2024 Olympics, becoming the youngest Colombian medalist in the Games' history
Asia Pakistan The government is committed to transforming Pakistan into a cashless economy, says Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunications Shaza Fatima Khawaja
Oceania Kiribati A recycling operation for used lead batteries in Kiribati, which removed 7000 tonnes of toxic waste from the island over a 20-year period, could be replicated and used in other Pacific nations to manage hazardous waste