Africa eSwatini 11 000 jobs have been added in 2023-25; though it may appear as a positive development for Eswatini’s economy, economists fear that Eswatini’s labour market is expanding in low-productivity jobs rather than sectors building long-term economic security
America Canada The Belfry Theatre in Victoria, B.C., is cancelling The runner from its March festival “given the current conflict”; the play focuses on the moral dilemma of a volunteer of ZAKA, a group of mostly Orthodox Jewish men who provide emergency medical rescues
America Panama The Panama Canal has imposed unprecedented restrictions on transits, driven by water shortages linked to the El Niño phenomenon; the canal’s reservoir system is significantly impacted, causing ripple effects across global shipping operations
Europe Montenegro 116 suicides were registered in 2023, reinforcing the worrying numbers; according to WHO data, the country leads in the last decade in terms of the number of registered suicides in relation to the number of inhabitants
America Uruguay Military officers who committed human rights abuses during Uruguay's dictatorship (1973-1985) could soon be allowed to serve out their sentences at home; new law passed by Senate, if approved by lower house, would grant house arrest to criminals over 65
Europe Slovakia The Slovak National Theatre is temporarily being led by Jozef Svolik, head of the department of art and artistic institutions at the Culture Ministry
Africa Mozambique The Indian company Banaras Locomotive Works has confirmed the reception of an order from Mozambique for the manufacture and delivery of ten new Cape Gauge diesel locomotives
Oceania Marshall Islands A $10,8 million grant agreement was reached between the US and RMI governments to fix the Majuro sewage outflow system
Asia Philippines Energy Regulatory Commission is encouraging households to use solar home systems to mitigate the impact of El Niño that may worsen in summer months, partnering with local government units to establish a one-stop shop to make it easier to obtain a permit
Oceania New Zealand The average price of a new uniform for the last year in Auckland was $468 (267€), including 2 shirts, 1 skirt or pair of trousers, 1 jumper and a jacket or blazer
Europe Poland Polish prosecutors are investigating TV commentators who joked that migrants should be sent to Auschwitz or tattooed or microchipped like dogs; several investors have withdrawn their commercials from the TV station
Africa Republic of the Congo A project to build a power plant in Pointe-Noire was discussed between the Minister of Hydrocarbons and the President and CEO of the Chinese group Yunnan Linkun Investment, which intends to finance it
Africa Mauritania The IMF expects Mauritania's economic growth to almost triple in 2025, thanks to gas exports starting in the second half of this year: the 5,1% gross domestic product growth forecast for 2024 is expected to reach 14,3% in 2025
Asia Singapore Singapore's average sea level could rise by up to 1,15 metres by 2100, exceeding previous estimates of a 1 metre rise; the study also predicts an average sea level rise of up to 2 metres by 2150, in a worst-case scenario