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
Africa Republic of the Congo The co-ordinator of the National Afforestation and Reforestation Programme François Mankessi said in Brazzaville that the 8th edition of the Plant Fair will pave the way for the creation of an industrial unit dedicated to the processing of essential oils
Oceania Fiji Traditional leaders in Tailevu province were urged to join the government in the fight against drugs; the Minister of Home Affairs said Fiji is not a rich country to control the influx of illicit substances
Africa Niger Exports of rice, cereals and other food products have been banned to all countries except the member countries of the Alliance of Sahel States to protect local supplies
Africa Liberia Rural women leaders in Liberia have launched an action against drug abuse with the specific aim of engaging ghettos and those selling drugs in communities
Europe North Macedonia Discussions about potential constitutional changes are ongoing; former foreign minister Bujar Osmani has stated the need for a vote on the issue, warning that a lack of action could lead to a renewed focus on issues of 'identity, language and history'
Europe Germany Germany will provide state guarantees for wind energy production, part of a package that aims at strengthening the wind energy industry amid concerns from European governments and companies about the leading role of Chinese companies in this industry
Africa Lesotho The government has launched the Lesotho Public Sector Foundations for Service Delivery Project, an initiative to overhaul the country's public service sector by enhancing digital infrastructure and better financial management
Asia Iran Statements by the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, who said that Tehran is ready to negotiate with France on the implementation of a UN resolution concerning southern Lebanon, have been challenged by Lebanon's interim Prime Minister
Africa Sao Tome and Principe Doctors said that they will start an indefinite general strike from 24 October to demand working conditions and safety, denouncing the failure to fulfil government commitments
America Peru Archaeologists in Peru uncovered a decorated throne room and murals in the ancient Moche site of Pañamarca, suggesting a powerful woman may have ruled there over 1.300 years ago, challenging the long-held view of Indigenous Moche society as male-dominated
America United States TikTok could be banned in the US starting January 2025 unless ByteDance sells it; although mother companies insist they are independent of the Chinese government, deep concerns persist about its ties to the Chinese state
Europe Italy The non-observed economy in Italy grew by 9,6% in 2022 compared to the previous year, ISTAT just reported; the net of illegal enterprises was at 182 billion euros and illegal activities were worth nearly 20 billion euros, fanned by drugs and prostitution
Asia Oman A workshop was organised by Unicef and the Ministry of Information to offer journalists and media the specific means to report about children in a sensitive, rights-based manner; Oman's Police, religious and education sectors were involved