Africa Togo Five women's cooperatives involved in rice parboiling have received new equipment including large-capacity soaking tanks, eco-friendly stoves, parboiling units; the Food Resilience Systems Program in West Africa aims at cutting losses and raising output
Asia Myanmar Government enacted a new electoral law imposing jail terms for disrupting planned elections while organizing dissent and destroying materials could bring life sentences; fatalities resulting from disruption may lead to execution
Africa Burkina Faso Four journalists were released from forced enlistment into the army and reunited with their families; the International Federation of Journalists, working on their release since abduction, welcomed the initiative reminding the public value of a free press
Africa Mali Dozens of soldiers have been arrested over suspects of plotting to overthrow the junta, which in its turn came to power in Mali in a coup; a Malian security force reports of 'arrests linked to an attempt to destabilise the institutions' in recent days
Africa Burundi COMEBU, acronym that stands for Burundi Mining Exchange, will now hold exclusive rights to market extracted minerals in areas where landowners have been compensated: operators in Kabarore must now sell to Comptoires only
Asia Brunei Authorities are running a monthly enforcement drive to protect consumers by ensuring fair pricing and accuracy of weighing equipment used for trade; in recent days four offences under the Price Control Act and the Weights and Measures Act were reported
Africa Madagascar The cable car line connecting Anosy to Ambatobe will be open to the public from 16 August; the initial adaptation phase aims to familiarize users with this new mode of urban transport, offering lifts 7-9 am e 4-6 pm
Asia Thailand Mother’s Day and Queen Mother’s Birthday was celebrated on 12 August, a national holiday dedicated to the Queen Mother, Sirikit, and all mothers across Thailand; a deeply symbolic day, it blends royal tribute, Buddhist traditions and festivities
America Trinidad and Tobago Licensing Authority Driver’s Rehabilitation Programme has been launched to assist disqualified drivers in regaining their driving status and encourage safer road use; legislation requires a cost-free rehabilitation program as a condition for reinstatement
Europe Ukraine Concerns mount in Ukraine, with fears that the country could be 'sold out', as US President Trump and Russian Putin prepare to meet face-to-face in Alaska for talks that could shape its future
Europe Lithuania 8 Lithuanian defence and security firms and research institutions have signed a letter of intent with Brazil’s Embraer, one of the world’s largest aerospace manufacturers, in a first official attempt to apply industrial cooperation in defence procurement
Asia Turkey Concrete discussions on the opening of the border with Armenia have not yet begun, though the negotiation process is expected to continue, according to a diplomatic source in Türkiye, via Russian media
America Grenada Government and opposition agreed and removed the oath of allegiance to the British crown, replacing “His Majesty King Charles the Third, His Heirs and Successors” with simply “Grenada” in a shared commitment to national identity and constitutional reform
Oceania Tonga The legal marriage age has been raised from 15 to 18 with newly passed bill after years of concern over underage unions in Tonga; the reform comes alongside an amendment making more explicit in law the country’s ban on same-sex marriage