America Canada Canada Strong Fund, the first ever national sovereign wealth fund will be launched with an initial endowment of $25-billion (€15,5 billion); PM says the investment will ensure all Canadians reap the rewards of government support for major new projects
Africa Senegal After two weeks of negotiations, the State managed to acquire the library of Leopold Sedar Senghor, containing several hundred signed works, in Verson, Normandy, where the former president and poet owned a mansion
Africa Togo The number of French volunteers in Togo reached a record 2.113 in 2023 according to the France Volontaires 2023 report; numbers include 1.988 short-term missions, 72 civil service assignments and 53 international solidarity volunteers
Africa Kenya The reopening of schools planned for next week has been postponed until further notice by President Ruto, due to the heavy rains and flooding that killed at least 200 people and displaced over 190.000
Africa Seychelles Seychelles has gone down three places on the World Press Freedom Index, from 34th in 2023 to 37th in 2024; in 2022 was ranked 13th out of 180 countries and was the highest ranking in Sub-Saharan Africa
Asia Sri Lanka Sri Lanka's anti-drug campaign has led to the arrest of more than 50.000 people and the seizure of over US$20 million worth of drugs, but has drawn criticism for accusations of human rights violations from UN and other rights groups
Africa Algeria Construction has begun on two new solar power plants in Algeria, which has the highest technical and economical potential for solar power exploitation in the MENA region
Europe Slovakia Volkswagen Slovakia reported a record turnover of €11,76 billion in 2023 after a period of investments that continued last year, with total expenditure in new projects amounting to €423,6 million
Africa Malawi The Center For Community Empowerment Initiative is conducting Free Dog Vaccination and Castration Week in Mzuzu to promote responsible dog ownership, control dog population and guarantee owned dogs are free of rabies
Europe Albania Experts say that legislation is needed to tackle toxic social media content that too often turns into offline violence in Albania, amid fears that the authorities will once again exploit the issue for political gain
Asia Bangladesh The average rainfall in Bangladesh was one millimetre in April, the lowest in the country in 43 years, since 1981; the average rainfall in April is 134 mm
Asia Palestine On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, Palestinian journalists from Gaza received the UNESCO World Press Freedom Award
Africa Nigeria Chess in Slums, Africa operates in the slums of Lagos and other Nigerian cities, and aims to teach a pastime that makes children aware of their intellectual abilities, making them more confident and equipped to go back to school
Asia Laos Laos's economic growth is facing continued challenges, with growth in 2023 estimated to remain below 2019 levels and expected to remain below in 2024 as well