Asia China “Bone ash apartments" will be illegal after new law prohibits use of residential properties to store ashes or bury remains outside dedicated areas; scarce space in cemeteries, low house prices made more affordable to entomb remains in an empty apartment
America Belize A cashless e-bus ridership card has been launched in Belize City as part of an EU- and UNDP-backed pilot project to modernize public transport and improve payment efficiency through Digi Wallet integration
Europe Luxembourg Defective vel’OH! bicycles and vandalism episodes remain major issues for Luxembourg City; despite technical upgrades, the topic appears again and again on social media, with videos circulating of safety deficiencies in the bicycles
Europe Russia A lack of clear results in the Alaska meeting between president Putin and US President Trump has empowered Russia's leader to carry on with the war, according to experts opinions reported by the Moscow Times
America Bahamas Over 1.400 destroyed firearms were encased in concrete at the Internal Security Division of the police force, a first of its kind in the region; Minister of National Security Munroe called it 'deeply significant' as it ends the life cycle of a firearm
America Cuba Fidél Castro's 'influencer' grandson causes a stir; for those in a daily struggle for food and basic items, Sandro Castro's high-flying lifestyle and apparent lack of empathy is offensive on a whole different level
America Canada Binding arbitration has been ordered by Federal Minister Patty Hajdu to put an end to a strike by Air Canada’s flight attendants that has grounded flights and disrupted travel for hundreds of thousands of travellers in Canada and overseas
Africa Mali Return of the legendary Timbuktu manuscripts to their original place has begun, transferred in 2012 under special conditions to Segou, then to Bamako, by librarians, associations and residents to save them from destruction by radical jihadist groups
America Dominican Republic Two artworks at the Via Sacra, a historic and religious heritage site located in the Basilica La Altagracia in Higüey, have been vandalized; built by Mitur with private sector contributions, it was inaugurated in 2024 as cultural and spiritual attraction
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 Namibia From tomorrow 18 August Windhoek will phase out cash and outdated cards used for its bus service; passengers have been able to verify and transfer balances from their old smartcards to the new cashless system until yesterday
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
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
Africa Cameroon Google will update its Gambling and Games Policy on 19 August to allow online gambling ads in Cameroon, albeit under strict conditions: advertisers must be licensed and registered with the Agence de Régulation des Jeux, the official gambling authority