Asia Bahrain 128 competitors, 59 male and 69 female, took part in this year's Mutun competition; the event awards the three best in seven categories, each focusing on the memorization and comprehension of foundation texts related to Quranic sciences
Asia Iraq 20 IVECO Eurocargo firefighting trucks have been shipped to Iraq’s Directorate of Civil Defense, first delivery of ML180E28 4×2 model to the country; the vehicles come with 10.000-liter water tanks and high-performance pumping systems
Asia Bangladesh The 'July Joddha Sangsad', or July fighters, announced a highway blockade in every district across Bangladesh Sunday 19 October if their demands are not included in the July Charter: recognition as martyrs, rehabilitation of families, legal assistance
Asia Indonesia A four-year ban on international carbon trading has been lifted and a new regulated system ensures transparency and fair profit-sharing; The move aims to boost green investment for Indonesia's companies and strengthen national control over climate finance
Europe Belarus New bill “On amending the laws on the granting of loans” was signed to protect the property rights of citizens in relation to borrowing money; among other measures it prohibits having only residential property as collateral for loan contracts
Africa Algeria Commemorating the 64th anniversary of the demonstrations of 17 October 1961, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune delivered a message on the occasion of the National Immigration Day
Africa Botswana The Beneath The Surface deep house events returns for the 8th edition today 18 October at Wagga Gardenex for a night of rhythm, soul, connection, attracting over 1.500 music lovers with an all-local lineup to promote Botswana’s talent
Europe Belgium A new plan to combat antimicrobial resistance will be launched amid a global rise in infections resistant to common antibiotics; the WHO calls the occurrence a “silent pandemic”
Africa Namibia Singer, songwriter and disability advocate Alvarita Benedito Lucungo, known professionally as Alvara, is set to represent Namibia at the Grenzenlos Kultur Festival in Mainz, Germany, an international celebration of inclusive art and performance
Asia United Arab Emirates Nature reserves in Abu Dhabi will reach 20% of the Emirate’s total land area; the initiative fits in the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025 program and reinforces UAE’s commitment to global leadership in sustainability and environmental preservation
Europe Greece Competition Commission has identified inefficiencies and potential distortions in coastal shipping; with 299 vessels operated by 216 companies the sector remains concentrated, with Attica Group and Seajets controlling about 60% of total passenger capacity
Africa Morocco Crowds took to the streets of Rabat, Casablanca, Tangier, Kenitra, Oujda and Tetouan to celebrate the national U20 team’s qualification for the World Cup final after a semi-final win over France
Africa Uganda At the border with DRC health officials are suspected of selling fraudulent yellow fever documents; as travellers appear immunised on paper, but they are not, the risk of outbreaks increases in a region marked by regular movement of thousands of people
Europe Netherlands 20.000 Dutch men a year travel abroad with the intention of sexually abusing a child, a recent study commissioned by the Scientific Research and Data Center found; the anti-abuse organization Offlimits launched a campaign aimed at stopping the phenomenon