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
Asia Lebanon The decision to monopolize arms exclusively in hands of the Lebanese state is “irreversible” President Joseph Aoun has said, noting that “it will be implemented patiently, in a manner that preserves Lebanon’s unity and prevents harm to civil peace”
Oceania Australia Swiss miner Glencore is considering shutting down two operations; though Mount Isa copper smelter and Townsville refinery directly employ 550 people, Dyno Nobel’s Hill 500, 17.000 jobs in the downstream activities in North Queensland could be in jeopardy
Africa Guinea-Bissau The Nigerian Army has completed pre-deployment training of 174 soldiers that are soon to embark in a crucial peacekeeping mission in Guinea Bissau with ECOWAS Stabilisation Support Mission
Asia Kazakhstan Foreign nationals from neighboring and distant countries have increasingly chosen Kazakhstan as a destination for medical care; key areas of medical tourism include high-tech treatments in neurosurgery, reproductive services, dental care and cosmetology
Asia Georgia The Georgian Patriarchate released a statement on latest European Council recommendations, concerned that they place Georgia’s aspirations for integration in direct contrast to traditional family values and laws protecting minors from LGBT propaganda
Africa Burkina Faso A written message from Egypt's President El Sisi to President Traoré has been delivered by Foreign Minister Abdelatty, on a visit with 60 business leaders, reaffirming Egypt’s commitment to broadening cooperation in security, stability, clean development
Asia South Korea In Incheon’s Songdo district, a 63-year-old father allegedly shot and killed his son at a birthday party with a crude homemade gun and fled; Police arrested him in Seoul and found 15 improvised explosives at his home, forcing evacuation for 100 residents
Africa Kenya Unused lunch money of the Kenya Defence Forces deducted from their salaries will be converted into savings; the directive has stirred resentment and comes amid growing discontent over the Pay-As-You-Eat policy, part of Kenya Kwanza’s austerity reforms
Asia India Deaths due to accidents on national highways have marginally decreased over the past three years, with latest figures showing -10% in each annual report, with more controls in place; 26.770 lives were claimed on NH in the first 6 months of 2025
Asia Bahrain A coastal stretch in Dumistan area, considered of historic and social importance due to an old link to local fishing trade, has been included in the national plan for marine landing points; local council member also called for a purpose built facility
Asia Iran In Al Jazeera latest video interview, President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran is committed to continuing its nuclear program for peaceful purposes
America Grenada Opposition in the Lower House will not be supporting the Government’s decision to reduce the Age of Civil Responsibility from 18 to 16 years, to allow for minors to seek sexual and reproductive health treatment without permission from parents or guardians
Africa Angola Over 15.000 reports of violence have been recored through SOS Children Hotline in the first 6 months of 2025, 90% of which occurred at home or churches; figures were presented by First Lady Ana Dias Lourenço at workshop against gender and minors violence