Asia Vietnam The largest administrative reform in decades has been announced: Vietnam will merge provinces and eliminate the district level, reducing local government units by up to 50%, as part of wider governance restructuring
America Brazil A US$5,6 billion aid package for exporters affected by trade disruptions has been announced: it includes credit lines, direct aid, tax reliefs, and government purchases to stabilize the sector
Europe Liechtenstein On August 15 Liechtenstein celebrated its national holiday with fireworks and a large folk festival in Vaduz's town center; the UNICEF booth in the children's and youth zone attracted numerous visitors
Asia North Korea A Chinese website dedicated to DPRK investment opportunities published a list of NK export products with items like textiles, machinery and cars that violate UN sanctions but it’s unclear if shipments have actually occurred
Africa Mauritania A four-day awareness caravan was organized in Aleg on the role of women’s mediation in resolving social disputes; specialized presentations will be offered on communication and advocacy, as well as how to promote and protect the rights of women and girls
Africa Seychelles 42.620 licensed vehicles, a record high reported in latest available data, is bringing road traffic to its limits, with daily congestions in the islands' road network
Europe Montenegro Wildfires have been plaguing Montenegro, with authorities updating the situation hour by hour as flames menace houses and underground fires make the situation even more dangerous; the arrival of a firefighting plane from the UAE is awaited
Africa Ghana The Bolgatanga Technical Institute has been closed down following a violent students protest that left some injured and several school properties burnt, including the library; the unrest was triggered by the suspension of six students for misconduct
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 Angola Old Cinema Miramar in Luanda is reportedly been sold to the Chinese without details of the deal that began in December 2013; it could be transformed into a residential space in support of the Chinese embassy
America Barbados A major agreement to build a coconut processing plant was signed with India, part of Barbados' plan to industrialize and expand its agro-processing sector; Export Barbados said it will create full value chains for coconut products with Indian technology
Europe Moldova The Leova–Bumbata border crossing is now working on a 24/7 schedule, letting travelers cross at any time, following agreement of border authorities of Moldova and Romania; Moldova has registered +45% foreign visitors arrivals in Jan-June 2025
Europe Bosnia and Herzegovina Journalist Natasa Miljanovic Zubac, known for publishing material on organised crime and high-level corruption, has been detained, her family home searched, for the alleged crime of “disclosure of an official secret” upon orders of State Prosecutor Office
Europe Albania Draft of a new Penal Code has sparked critics among politicians, legal community, civil society, international observers; critics say it contains authoritarian-style restrictions on free speech while reducing sentences for corruption for senior officials