Africa Morocco Rivalry between Morocco and Algeria has a new geopolitical battlefield in the Sahel, where they are deploying radically different strategies; the area is under geopolitical reconstruction after the vacuum left by French withdrawal and the rise of Russia
Asia Laos A forest carbon credit initiative is being launched by the government of Laos, in collaboration with AIDC Green Forest to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from forest destruction and degradation
Europe Finland PM Petteri Orpo's government gained parliamentary support for its proposals to curb political strikes, and solidarity with MPs who voted for bills to limit strike rights
Asia Cambodia Plans to phase out the use of flatbed trucks to transport factory workers to and from work have been announced; by 2027 they will be implemented to reduce the rate of road accidents by using appropriate means such as buses
Asia East Timor Two warships are planned to be sent to East Timor, as well as Cambodia, from mid-May to mid-June, revealed the Chinese Ministry of Defence, to facilitate the training of local naval cadets and promote mutual trust between the two navies
Africa Benin After the first drops of Niger oil gushed out in Sémè Kraké, Benin, a couple of weeks ago, Beninese President Patrice Talon declared that Niger will not use its port to export oil, with diplomatic tensions threatening exports
Europe Denmark An anti-opioid plan that includes a ban on 8 synthetic opioids, increased anti-drug police, tougher penalties for selling them and the development of more addiction and harm treatments has been organized by the Danish government
America Dominica Carlene Frazer secured the coveted top six spot in the Creative Young Entrepreneur Competition for the Americas; the entrepreneur will now represent Dominica at the CYE Conference of America competition in Paraguay
Africa Cape Verde The Migration Observatory has been launched with a physical space in Praia and a website gathering information on migratory movements; it aims at producing and analysing statistical data on migration, enabling research and scientific studies
Oceania Fiji The Suva City Council has recognised the increase in residents' complaints about stray animals and is working with the relevant ministries to address the problem
Europe Ireland In the first three months of the year, the housing agency Threshold received almost 12.000 calls related to housing issues, with tenancy security continuing to be the main concern
Europe Estonia The first consecration of a bishop in Saaremaa since the 16th century took place: Anti Toplaan was installed as bishop of the new Saare-Lääne diocese after more than 400 years
Europe Iceland UNHCR expressed concern about a proposed amendment to Iceland's international protection laws, highlighting, among other things, problems with the imposition of limits on asylum seekers and delays in family reunification
Europe Belgium 'Belgium, a Country of Wine, Vines, and Vineyards, from Yesterday to Today,' traces the history of wine-growing in Belgium from the Middle Ages to the present; listing the regions, towns and sites where vines, initially planted by monks, were cultivated