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
Africa Niger The longest-serving of Niger's traditional chiefs, a Tuareg chief from Aïr, has passed away at the Agadez Regional Hospital; he was one of the most important traditional leaders of all the Tuareg confederations, according to official Niger News Agency
Africa Guinea-Bissau The new emigrant statute grants emigrants exemption from customs duties and taxes to the extent of 20% on the value of imported products, stated the Secretary of State for Communities, Cipriano Mendes Pereira
Asia Japan Major Japanese firms offered an average 5,58% wage increase in the spring negotiations, as many sought to respond to elevated prices while trying to avoid brain drains; it is the highest increases in 32 years since comparable data became available in 1992
Africa Nigeria Young Jubrin Musa has developed a drone to deliver medicine and medical supplies to patients in rural areas of north-western Nigeria; he has been working on the project for 12 years and his goal is to extend the serve in more areas
Africa Mali Economist Etienne Fakaba Sissoko has been sentenced by a Malian court to two years in prison, suspended for one year, on charges of damaging the reputation of the state for criticising the military junta in his book
Europe Netherlands Amsterdam follows the example of Utrecht and Leiden and abandons the central armrest of park benches as this type of bench is increasingly considered hostile architecture and the capital wants to be more welcoming to its homeless residents
Africa Morocco Morocco's 29th International Book Fair kicked off last week in Rabat, attracting book lovers and intellectuals from all over the country with over 743 exhibitors from 48 countries and UNESCO as the guest of honour
Europe Kosovo After the closure of six Serbian bank offices with a ban on cash transactions in currencies other than the euro, the EU and US questioned Kosovo's commitment to dialogue with Serbia
Europe Monaco The Princess Grace Foundation turned 60, founded in 1964 at the behest of Princess Grace, celebrates six decades dedicated to helping sick children and their parents and promoting Irish and Monegasque culture
Europe Latvia Thousands of teachers gathered on a picket line organised by the Latvian Education and Science Workers' Union in front of the government building out of dissatisfaction with the Ministry's proposal to balance teacher workloads
Europe Albania The Albanian Catholic Church criticised a priest who took part in an unofficial private union ceremony for a same-sex couple in Tirana; according to the Church this type of marriage should be "categorically forbidden"
Europe Greece 'Panic Button', the mobile phone application which allows victims to immediately alert the police, has been extended throughout Greece to help combat domestic violence
Europe Germany Crimes against politicians have increased over the last year in Germany, a trend confirmed by the recent attacks against a couple of prominent politicians during their election campaign