Asia Nepal Climbing fees have been waived for nearly 100 Himalayan peaks in the remote northwest for the next two years, aiming to attract mountaineers to these less-developed regions
Oceania Fiji Movie 'Bati' was screened at Whanau Marama New Zealand International Film Festival: it is the first ever Fijian feature film selected for NZIFF, filmed in Suva and the highlands of Namosi, with a Fijian cast and crew
America Saint Lucia To improve support for citizens during difficult times, the National Insurance Corporation is developing a plan for an unemployment insurance program that will provide temporary financial relief to people who become involuntarily unemployed
Asia Kazakhstan A new nationwide coordination body has been set up to unite state agencies in the fight against drug addiction and drug-related crimes; it will focus on developing comprehensive prevention measures, improving treatment and rehabilitation programs
Africa Guinea Daouda Taban, journalist and reporter for Radiodiffusion Télévision Guinéenne RTG, passed away shortly after having been transferred to Tunisia for medical reasons; Guinean media and public are mourning his death as he leaves a 'great void'
Africa Central African Republic Officials report that Russia has called on the CAR to replace the private Wagner mercenary group with Moscow’s state-run Africa Corps, requesting payment for security services; government sees Wagner as more effective and prefers to pay with minerals
Oceania Tuvalu Andrew John Fakaua Ponton, a Tuvaluan film director, has made his debut at the Whanau Marama New Zealand International Film Festival with 'Bati', a boxing drama set in Fiji, bringing to the screen the voices of Pacific culture
Asia Lebanon Chief of Staff of Israel's army Eyal Zamir, visiting a post in south Lebanon, allegedly said Israel is in a "multifront war" with Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and Yemen adding "we approved plans for the conquest of Gaza, and now we are in Lebanon"
America Panama Imitation cheese products are available, particularly shredded mozzarella and Parmesan alternatives, cheaper than actual cheeses and with less nutritive value; President Mulino underlines the need of clear, explicit labels to protect consumers
Europe Slovenia Churches dedicated to the Virgin Mary are welcoming pilgrims to awe at flower-bedecked altars and processions bearing statues for the Assumption, one of the nation's most beloved religious holidays and inspiration for folk traditions in Slovenia
Asia Tajikistan 1.647 people crossed from Tajikistan to Afghanistan through the Panji Poen–Sherkhon Bandar border from July 17 to August 10: 671 returned voluntarily to visit their relatives, while 976 people were forcibly deported according to According to the IOM
America Jamaica Three rail carts transporting bauxite to the port derailed in the Bog Walk Gorge; the National Environment & Planning Agency confirmed that the accident resulted in minimal environmental impact although one cart partially entered the river
Asia Sri Lanka Elephant deaths have drawn widespread attention; they are being killed with the intention of removing their tusks; department of Wildlife Conservation has confirmed that as of mid-July 219 elephant non-natural deaths have been recorded
Africa Kenya Interior Cabinet Secretary accused the BBC of basing parts of its Mai Mahiu child sex trafficking documentary on inaccurate accounts; women featured falsified their ages to fit the narrative and access sponsorship program allegedly dangled by the BBC crew