Commonwealth republics

Africa's film industry is thriving and could create many millions of extra jobs if its potential was fully exploited, the United Nations said on Oct. 5. 

In a report, the U.N. cultural organization UNESCO said that an estimated five million people currently work in Africa's film industry, which contributes $5 billion to the continent's GDP. 

The unification of the leaders started after the WHO opened the annual session with the draft resolution which recognizes the mistakes in the response to COVID-19, the AP reported.

From Sydney Harbour Bridge to the Acropolis, fireworks burst in skies above eerily deserted landmarks as the world ushered in the New Year with muted celebrations and said good riddance to a pandemic-ridden 2020.

India's government revoked disputed Kashmir's special status by presidential order on Aug. 5 as thousands of newly deployed troops descended and some internet and phone services were suspended in the restive Himalayan region where most people oppose Indian rule.

This represents a drop of 16% compared to 2010. The decrease is due to effective measures in Eastern and South Africa, according to a UN report.

The overwhelming majority of Greece's bathing waters met European Union water quality standards in 2017, according to the European Environment Agency.

In its annual report, the agency said that 95.9 percent of all existing coastal bathing waters are of excellent quality, behind Luxembourg (100 percent), Malta (98.9 percent) and Cyprus (97.3 percent).

It’s a question that arises surprisingly often among travellers, especially those considering renting a car. Which countries drive on the right and which drive on the left? Approximately two-thirds of the global population drive on the right side of the street. All in all, 163 countries and territories have right-hand drive traffic while vehicles use the left-side in 76 countries.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will later this month embark on a tour to three African countries - Tanzania, Mozambique and Madagascar - with a large business delegation, in a special focus on investment opportunities and potential business opportunities in seven sectors.

Residents and tourists on Samoa and Kiribati islands were among the first to celebrate the New Year.

Auckland in New Zealand was the first big city to welcome 2016, whereas Fiji islands and Antarctica will also be among the first places to welcome the New Year.