Africa Eritrea The Arbaete Asmara sub-zone has been declared free of female genital mutilation after authorities verification that followed years of local monitoring, community reporting systems and coordinated action by health workers and local administrations
Asia Brunei The Islamic Financial Services Board held the 16th IFSB Summit on 8-9 May in Bandar Seri Begawan with the theme 'Islamic Finance and Financial Stability in a Changing Environment: Navigating Emerging Risks'
Oceania Tuvalu Australia has earmarked more than $110 million in a development package for Tuvalu, as the two nations agreed that a treaty will not hinder the Pacific island nation's ability to conclude agreements with other countries
Asia China Over the past year, China and its companies expanded their position in South America in the political, security, information and logistics sectors, among the others, raising strategic concerns due to the region's proximity and ties to the United States
Oceania Micronesia The Vice President of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Senior Military Official of the US Indo-Pacific Command in Guam and Micronesia, and US Ambassador hosted a new bilateral meeting between the FSM and the Joint Committee
America Panama José Raúl Mulino has won Panama's presidential elections with promises to close the Darién jungle - a critical immigration corridor - and revive economic prosperity in the country
Africa Namibia Namibia has become the first country on the continent to significantly reduce vertical mother-to-child transmission of both HIV and viral hepatitis B, a major milestone in the fight against the spread of HIV
Europe Monaco The Garden Club of Monaco revealed the winners of the 55th International Bouquet Competition in the presence of Prince Albert II and the Princess of Hanover, President of the Club; this year's theme was 'Seas and Oceans'
America Paraguay President Santiago Peña celebrated the "historic visit" of Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, aiming to strengthen bilateral ties and enhance regional integration and cooperation in areas such as education and technology
America Trinidad and Tobago The government, who announced it would soon bring home its nationals, should urgently bring home Trinidadian children and their mothers imprisoned in Iraq because of their alleged association with the Islamic State, Human Rights Watch said
Asia United Arab Emirates The Dubai Police Force, represented by the 'Your Commitment is Happiness' initiative, organised a lecture to educate students about the responsibilities of spectators in sports stadiums
Europe Spain An unprecedented attack on landlords and managers of short-term rentals has been launched by the mayor of Madrid, José Luis Martínez Almeida, who announced a freeze on licences for this type of housing and increased penalties for unlicensed renters
Africa Niger An urgent vaccination campaign against meningitis was launched in Niamey; according to WHO, the country has recorded 2.012 cases and 123 deaths by mid-April
Africa Republic of the Congo An international conference on China and Africa opened in Brazzaville with experts, researchers, policy makers and development actors assessing the impact of Sino-African cooperation on the economic, social and political development of Africa