Against the backdrop of the country's ongoing political instability and the conflict in southern Lebanon, a remarkable educational event unfolded, bringing a ray of hope to educational suppliers and institutions.

The past week saw the conclusion of the second edition of the SchoolTec Exhibition and Conference, specializing in the educational and technological supplies sector. This annual event in Lebanon underscores the critical role of the education sector as a foundational pillar of the nation's cultural identity and its regional educational prominence.

Muslims around the world are welcoming the arrival of Ramadan, a month of dawn-to-dusk fasting, intense prayer, charity and feasts that begins for many Sunday night.

In Lebanon, Sunnis began fasting Monday after officials in Saudi Arabia saw the crescent moon on Sunday night, while some Lebanese Shiites began fasting Monday and others Tuesday.

Observant Muslims the world over will soon be united in a ritual of daily fasting from dawn to sunset as the Islamic holy month of Ramadan starts. For Muslims, it's a time of increased worship, charity and good deeds. Socially, it often brings families and friends together in festive gatherings around meals to break their fast. Ramadan is followed by the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Fitr.

This year, Ramadan comes as the latest Israel-Hamas war has killed thousands of Palestinians, left much of Gaza in ruins and created a humanitarian catastrophe, with many Palestinians there, especially in the devastated northern region, scrambling for food to survive. Some Muslims have been brainstorming how to remain mindful of the Palestinians' plight during Ramadan, including through making donations, saying prayers or incorporating Palestinian traditional symbols in how they mark the holy month.

France inscribed the guaranteed right to abortion in its constitution Friday, a powerful message of support for women's rights on International Women's Day.

Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti used a 19th-century printing press to seal the amendment in France's constitution at a special public ceremony. Applause filled the cobblestoned Place Vendome as France became the first country to explicitly guarantee abortion rights in its national charter.

Over 230 million women and girls have undergone female genital mutilation, most of whom live in Africa, according to a report issued on Friday by the United Nations children's agency.

In the last eight years, some 30 million people have undergone the procedure, in which external genitalia are partially or fully removed, UNICEF estimated in the report, which was released on International Women's Day.

Ahead of International Women's Day, the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Joanna Wronecka, accompanied by U.N. Women representative in Lebanon Gielan Elmessiri, has met in the northern city of Tripoli with youth, women-led groups and non- governmental organizations active in empowering women and girls, peacebuilding efforts and the promotion of social stability through inclusive political dialogue, social inclusion and economic empowerment.

"All across Lebanon, I have met with inspiring women who are playing leading roles in trying to make their communities more peaceful, inclusive, resourceful and involved in contributing to a more sustainable future for their country," Wronecka said Wednesday. "Creating a conducive environment for enhancing women and girls’ rights and participation is even more necessary during times of crisis so that Lebanon can benefit from the full potential of all its citizens," she added.

To celebrate International Women’s Day, the British Embassy in Beirut is launching its ‘Ambassador For A Day’ (AFAD) competition, now jointly with the Embassy of Canada to Lebanon. AFAD winners will get to shadow an Ambassador in Lebanon for one day, to see first-hand how girls can become leaders and advocates for change.

Each winner will be paired with an Ambassador or head of a U.N. Agency in Lebanon to spend a day with them and their team, and be invited as Guests of Honour to a ceremony hosted by the British and Canadian embassies. "This promises to be an unforgettable opportunity to build skills in diplomacy, confidence, and leadership," the British Embassy in Beirut said in a statement Thursday.

The second edition of SchoolTec, Lebanon’s First Trade Fair & Conference for Educational Supplies and Solutions, will be held this week on Thursday, March 7 and Friday, March 8 at the Mövenpick Hotel, Beirut.

Educators, principals, coordinators, teachers, counselors, academic supervisors, non-academic staff members, investors willing to start a new educational initiative, parents, or anyone interested, all have the opportunity to learn more about the education technologies, and to get an idea about all educational solutions, supplies and services at SchoolTec.

Spain's Catalonia region rolled out a pioneering women's health initiative this week that offers millions of women and girls reusable menstruation products for free.

About 2.5 million women and girls in northeast Spain can receive one menstrual cup, one pair of underwear for periods and two packages of cloth pads at local pharmacies free of charge.

Pope Francis, who has been suffering from the flu, asked an aide to read out his prepared speech at a conference in the Vatican Friday, saying he has not yet fully recovered from his latest ailment that has raised concerns about his capacity to continue leading the Roman Catholic Church.

The 87-year-old Pontiff, who was taken to a Roman hospital on Wednesday for diagnostic testing after having to cancel some public audiences, handed his speech to his aide, Mons. Filippo Ciampanelli.