Africa Sierra Leone A ship departed from Freetown was intercepted and diverted to Canary Islands, in a crackdown on international drug trafficking; Spanish police found aboard 35-40 tonnes of cocaine in what has been called “record-breaking cocaine seizure in the Atlantic”
America Nicaragua The US restricted visas for over 100 Nicaraguan municipal officials, citing their role in President Daniel Ortega's government, condemning the alleged fraudulent 2021 reelection, and accusing the regime of a crackdown on opposition
America Antigua and Barbuda Melinda Simon, Senior Facilitator at the National Office of Disaster Services, urged the community to take disaster information more seriously, citing a worrying lack of awareness among residents
Africa Burkina Faso The 'National Support Fund', established in January 2023 to support counter-terrorism efforts in the country, successfully raised 99 billion CFA francs (USD $162,2 million) in the past year
Africa Benin Cotonou has awarded Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, a leading engineering construction company, a high-end contract for the rehabilitation of access roads and crossings in the commercial city
Asia China The 'National Anti-Fraud Centre', an application developed by the Chinese Public Security Bureau to counter suspicious and fraudulent calls, text messages and installed applications, could be also used to monitor Tibetans, according to a new report
Africa Comoros The country recently reaffirmed its unwavering support for Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara and the plan for autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty as the only serious and pragmatic solution to this regional dispute
America Panama Local environmentalists have criticized the government for its inaction in closing the copper mine operated by Minera Panamá, emphasizing that it is putting the area at risk and increasing the country's vulnerability to international arbitrations
Europe Belarus The Minsk metro transported 234 million passengers in 2023, +8 million (or 3,5%) compared to 2022; in 2023, the metro improved energy efficiency by 3,9%, exceeding the energy saving target of 3,4% in 2023
Europe Andorra According to data from Superior Council of Justice, corresponding to the end of the 2023 judicial year, there were a total of 6.111 'live' proceedings; for years, the Superior Council of Justice has been calling for more resources to decongest the system
Oceania Australia The Australian Government, through PacificAus Sports, will partner with the Australian Olympic Committee to support more than 250 athletes from 13 Pacific nations in their preparation for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games
Asia Israel The Defence Minister and the War Cabinet Minister have openly opposed PM Netanyahu's decision to go along with National Security Minister's request to restrict Arab-Israeli worshippers on the Temple Mount during Ramadan
America Bahamas Priscilla Jasmine Rollins, affectionately known as the Queen of Soul from the Bahamas, best known for her hits "Independence Morning" and "Gat a Letter from Miami" has died
Africa Chad The country has declared a 'state of food and nutrition emergency' throughout its territory, while more than half a million refugees fleeing the war in Sudan have poured in over the past ten months