Oceania Marshall Islands The fish aggregation devices FADs that fishing boats use to make catches easier, lately equipped with satellite communications gear to pinpoint location, are now being built by drug cartels that wrap packs of cocaine and radio transponders to trace troves
America Panama Despite reduced ship traffic due to drought, the Panama Canal achieved record revenues of nearly US$5 billion in the 2024 fiscal year, up 1% from the previous year, attributed to higher tolls and priority crossing auctions
Europe France Deputies repealed the abolition of 4.000 teaching places in 2025 budget; in France there are 22 students per class in primary school compared to OECD average of 19, and 26 compared to 21 at university level
Asia Laos An exhibition in Vientiane celebrates traditional Lao silk, showcasing over 100 textiles, some nearly 300 years old, crafted by local artisans; the event highlights Laos’s ethnic diversity and heritage in weaving, with live demonstrations of the craft
Africa Equatorial Guinea The anti-corruption portal was unveiled, the brainchild of the Vice President of Equatorial Guinea to put an end to corrupt practices and abuses against the population
America Mexico Only four out of ten Mexicans pay taxes, says a recent government statistic that highlights the need for fiscal reform to boost revenue for essential services like public education, healthcare, and infrastructure
Asia Thailand King and Queen led a 52 royal barge procession along Bangkok’s Chao Phraya River presenting traditional Kathin robes to monks at the Temple of Dawn; over 2.000 rowers and thousands spectators from across the country celebrated His Majesty’s 72nd birthday
Africa Ethiopia An article published a few days ago in the New York Times denounces the very serious malaria epidemic the country is facing, with more than 6,1 million cases and 1.038 deaths in 2024, more than double the number in 2023
Asia Vietnam The Đường Hoa Tea Festival in Quảng Ninh attracted thousands with tastings, rituals honoring tea heritage, a blessing for tea trees; the celebration is an effort to preserve local tea culture, promoting sustainable growth and exchange among tea businesses
Europe Austria Austria is one of the EU countries with strictest rules for foreigners wishing to obtain citizenship; more than 750.000 people who have been legally resident in the territory for more than ten years still do not hold an Austrian passport
Europe Iceland The next eruption at Sundhnúksgígar is expected 30% larger than the last one, in its turn the largest so far in this recent cycle of volcanic activity measuring 60 million cubic metres in volume and covering 16 square kilometres of territory
Africa Burkina Faso The Tour du Faso, one of Africa's best-known cycling races and currently holding its 35th edition, has been sanctioned, and cancelled, from the International Cycling Union calendar because a Russian team was allowed to participate
Asia Israel On October 27 official Israel marked the Hebrew date to commemorate the Hamas onslaught on southern Israel and the massacre of 1.200 people last 7 October, international calendar, which sparked the ongoing war
America Guyana Government announced a cash grant of SRD$100.000 (€2.730) for every citizen over 18, replacing the previous household-based grant and complementing a series of economic reliefs like the removal of VAT on essentials, tax cuts, and free education policies