Asia Philippines An Air Quality Index has been issued amid temporary haze from Indonesian forest fires; The Health Department advised residents to wear masks, limit outdoor activities, and remain indoor if possible
Africa Angola The National Bank of Angola, the country's central bank, has lowered the minimum capital required for setting up microfinance companies (from 5 to 25 million kwanze - about $6.000) and credit cooperatives (from 25 to 1 million kwanze)
Oceania Nauru The government has initiated a programme of alternative routes to assist employees who will be affected by the recession of the Regional Processing Centre sites on the island
Africa Namibia The sea lion hunting season has opened in Namibia; an estimated 86.000 fur seals will be slaughtered, despite a decline in demand for their fur and the growing opposition of environmentalists
Asia Bahrain Children who turn six in the same calendar year will be unconditionally admitted to the first grade of all public schools from September, in a decision that lightens the age rules in force
America Haiti Rwanda has indicated its intention to join forces with the Caribbean Community CARICOM to provide specialised assistance to Haiti in its ongoing efforts to find solutions to the criminal, political and governance crises
Asia Uzbekistan The Central Electoral Commission held its first session on the preparation and conduct of the presidential elections, discussing the accreditation of observers from international organisations and foreign countries
America Saint Lucia Saint Lucia's award-winning police officer, Inspector Shervon Matthieu, has urged further reform of the island's laws regarding possession of illegal weapons or ammunition to ensure jail time rather than fines
Africa Tanzania Zanzibar will host the first Indian Institute of Technology campus outside India, following a newly signed agreement
Oceania Australia Professor Ana Cody, Dean of the School of Law at Western Sydney University, has been appointed as Australia's new Sex Discrimination Commissioner
America Honduras The country has started negotiations on a free trade agreement with China that would mark a historic step in their diplomatic and economic relations, with the planned approval of exporting bananas, coffee, and shrimp from Honduras
Asia Azerbaijan OPEC Secretary General Haitham Al Ghais said the organisation has invited the country to become a member but Azerbaijan would not consider the possibility, Russia's Interfax news agency reported, quoting the country's energy minister
Asia Myanmar UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk stated 40 aid workers have been killed and 200 arrested by the military junta in Myanmar since the 2021 military coup
Africa Rwanda The country has launched Starlink Internet in 50 schools, providing access to online learning opportunities and improved learning outcomes for over 18.000 students