Africa Cameroon In an unprecedented disruption to academic calendar, the Ministry ordered the immediate rescheduling of all remaining papers for the ongoing 2026 examination session after a severe security breach compromised confidential materials across digital networks
Asia Japan A Japanese court has sentenced to death Shinji Aoba, the man behind the 2019 attack on Kyoto Animation, one of Japan's most important animation studios; Aoba, now 45, set fire to the studio's headquarters, causing 36 deaths and several injuries
Africa Madagascar Faced with steady increase in sexual offences, the Council of Ministers has come out in favour of harsher punishments for child rapists and the government is reportedly considering new measures, including life imprisonment, chemical or surgical castration
Europe Ukraine Zelensky asked for an international investigation into the plane shot down in Russia with 65 Ukrainian prisoners; Ukrainian services 'are investigating all the circumstances' and Foreign Minister will 'inform partners of the data available to Ukraine'
Europe Italy There are 10.000 more prisoners than the official capacity, which leads the democratic country to face a very serious overcrowding, a high number of suicides, a lack of basic services and repeated situations of poor protection of rights
Europe Lithuania The purchase of Leopard 2 main battle tanks from Germany has been decided at government level and the Lithuanian State Defence Council authorising the start of negotiations for an order
Africa South Africa In Kruger National Park, one of Africa's largest game reserves and part of a UNESCO World Heritage site, a new tourist attraction opened not long ago, a stationary train on a bridge that has become a luxury hotel
Europe Czech Republic Almost one fifth of the country's employed population is now made up of foreigners, with over 800.000 people contributing to the Czech labour force; of these, almost 409.800 are from EU countries and 285.545 from Ukraine
Europe Finland A recent survey conducted by the Chambers of Commerce reveals that the vast majority of companies (around 74%) are in favour of the employment measures planned by the Finnish government
Asia Myanmar Lake Paleik in Singaing municipality and Lake Pyu in TadaU municipality have been designated as the seventh and eighth Flyway Network Sites in the country
Europe Serbia The northern Serbian province of Vojvodina intends to launch a €14,5 million energy efficiency project, supported by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, to upgrade the energy efficiency of some 80 public buildings
Oceania Palau Article published this week by Bloomberg Green denounces a proposal to reduce the Palau National Marine Sanctuary and allow industrial fishing within its boundaries
Africa Somalia Acted is currently providing emergency food assistance to 1425 vulnerable families affected by the devastating rains and flash floods starting in October 2023 which led to the overflowing of the Juba River in the district of Baardheere
Asia Oman The number of passengers using Muscat International Airport increased by 19% to 1.192.832 in December 2023 compared to 999.935 in the same period last year, according to data published by the Civil Aviation Authority