Africa Tanzania A comprehensive voluntary repatriation program has been finalized to bring back Tanzanian citizens living in South Africa, following growing impatience towards African immigrants; in co-operation with local authorities, returnees will undergo verification
Asia Thailand Public ferry fares along Bangkok's Saen Saeb canal will increase by 1 baht (US$ 0,028) starting today, and a similar increase was recorded on 15 June
Africa Burkina Faso 6500 tonnes of food supplies recently arrived in the country from ECOWAS to support IDPs fleeing jihadist violence in the country; the loan will be fully repaid, but there is concern about the management of the grain, with fears of theft or corruption
America Grenada Government expects a $1 million equipment grant from the Japanese government, to enable better management of the sargassum seaweed scourge, which has been covering beaches along the island's eastern and northern corridors since 2014
Asia United Arab Emirates The new law that comes into force today envisages a mandatory 25 fils fee on all single-use bags starting today; this decision is the first step towards a total ban on single-use bags within two years
Africa South Africa Johannesburg Wildlife Hospital cares for pangolins seized during police operations, trying to support one of the world's most endangered species while learning and documenting their behaviour
Asia Pakistan The Finance Minister said a consortium of Chinese banks and Pakistan have signed an agreement for a $2,3 billion loan, underlining the gratitude of the Pakistani people towards China
America Venezuela The arrival of the US delegation to the country is seen as a potential opportunity to repair stained relations and discuss the ongoing economic sanctions
Africa South Sudan The WB has warned that South Sudan's economy could weaken further, contracting by between 0,8 and 2,8% this year, pointing out that last year South Sudan's gross domestic product contracted by 5,1%
Europe France The Ministry of Economy has confirmed the end of the €38 ceiling for meal vouchers, which will be reduced to €19 from today; the measure was adopted in June 2020 to support restaurateurs
Europe Spain Spain-based EasyJet cabin crew have announced a nine-day walkout strike starting today, following stalled negotiations over pay conditions
Europe Malta Smart City will be given new life with the development of two campuses of the American University of Malta and ITS, with the government taking back almost 45.000 square metres of land to Smart City
Asia India From today, single-use plastic will be banned; the Centre has barred the manufacturing, distribution, importing, sale, stocking and use of all single-use plastic, comprising polystyrene and expanded polystyrene
Europe Monaco The summer sales start today in the country, traditionally set from 1/07 to 15/08; shifted due to the pandemic, the dates are now back to the traditional period