Oceania New Zealand KiwiSaver -a voluntary, work-based retirement savings scheme- will see withdrawal rules changed to help farmers, diplomats and soldiers buy their first homes, as Finance Minister observed current rules are unfair to workers in service tenancies
Europe Lithuania The 85th anniversary of the United States' declaration condemning the Soviet occupation of the Baltic states has been marked with a commemorative event in Washington Square in Vilnius featuring flag tribute, national anthems, American-style snacks
Africa Ivory Coast Smoked tilapia, a national staple food typically served with local sides like attiéké or plantains, is suffering a shortage: the fact reflects a crisis affecting the country’s entire fishing industry
Europe France Despite weather closures, over 50.000 people have been swimming in the River Seine's three pools in Paris since their opening on 5 July for the first time after 1923; following a years-long cleanup, the opening is a legacy of the 2024 Olympics
Oceania Fiji George “Fiji” Veikoso, a musician, a cultural icon, a voice for the people whose voice touched hearts across the Pacific and beyond has passed away; Polynesian Music has announced it on its social media page
Europe Russia Ukraine and Russia launched a wave of air attacks along the Black Sea coastline a few hours after direct peace talks between the two nations ended without any breakthrough on a ceasefire
Africa Sierra Leone Sierra Leoneans in the diaspora are now able to fly more easily to the home country, as Air Sierra Leone, incepted earlier this year, offers direct flights from London to Freetown
Africa Mozambique $20-billion liquefied natural gas project for TotalEnergies will restart by the end of summer; covered by force majeure in 2021 following insurgent attacks, it includes developing the Golfinho and Atum natural gas fields and a two-train liquefaction plant
Europe Denmark New tunnel rail linking Denmark to Germany, currently being constructed across the Fehmarn Belt, will see its completion delayed by several years according to expert on both sides
Africa eSwatini Five emaSwati have been chosen as cast members for the South African telenovela ‘Isitha’ and were introduced to the Minister Bongani Nzima before their departure and are sure to boost viewers attention in the country
Asia Malaysia Around mid-July, tens of protesters rallied outside the U.S. Embassy in Kuala Lumpur opposing Nick Adams' appointment as U.S. ambassador: his controversial statements on Islam prompted calls for rejection
Europe Italy TIME magazine cover is portraying Giorgia Meloni, the first female leader of Italy, citing she 'has emerged as one of Europe’s most interesting figures' as she opposes what she calls “homogenizing" globalism, yet champions European integration
Asia Armenia Gazprom Armenia, subsidiary of Russian Gazprom, announced a two-days suspension of natural gas supply for maintenance work on its pipeline in Georgia, right as Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is in Altai, Russia for a two-day working visit
Asia Kyrgyzstan Health Ministry suspended activities of 78 clinics following large-scale inspections of private medical organizations in Bishkek and Osh; 31% were operating without a valid license and in 68,4% violations of licensing requirements were uncovered