Asia Japan Proof of proficiency in Japanese will be required to apply for a working visa for engineering, humanities or international services; policy will be revised tightening screening after workers entered Japan under a specialized job visa but do unskilled jobs
Europe Italy Approval has been given to a controversial €13,5bn project to build the world's longest suspension bridge spanning 3,3km between the island of Sicily and the tip of Italy's boot, a highly seismic area: designers claim it will be able to endure earthquakes
Asia Armenia Armenia and Azerbaijan commit to permanently end all wars and establish relations, U.S. President Trump said at the summit with Pashinyan and Aliyev, adding that after fighting for 35 years "will remain friends for a long time”
Africa Guinea-Bissau President has appointed by decree a new prime minister months ahead of key November election: Rui Duarte de Barros, who served as prime minister since December 2023, was replaced by Braima Camara, a former coordinator of the Madem G15 opposition party
Europe Belarus A meeting to discuss the operations of KGB, the State Security Committee of Belarus, was convened by President Aleksandr Lukashenko; key discussions focused on potential improvements to the agency's work
Africa Chad A subsidized sale of foodstuffs in the 9th district of N’Djamena has been launched to support vulnerable communities; the National Food Security Office initiative involves the distribution of over 120 tonnes of staple food products
Asia Azerbaijan Azerbaijan and Armenia commit to permanently end all wars and establish relations, U.S. President Trump said at the summit with Pashinyan and Aliyev, adding that after fighting for 35 years "will remain friends for a long time”
Oceania Samoa The Samoa Law Society is calling for electoral rights to be upheld to ensure a free and fair election; in view of upcoming Samoa’s general election on 29 August it reminded that “Universal voting rights are the cornerstone of a democratic country"
Europe Netherlands Rail company NS will set up a campsite at Utrecht Central Station proving 'all the necessities' for 20 first-year university students who couldn't find accommodation for Utrecht’s Introduction Time, the orientation period set for 11 to 14 August
America Canada Teen Victoria Mboko concluded her fairytale run in the National Bank Open in an unforgettable night for Canadian tennis by beating four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka 2-6, 6-4, 6-1 in the singles final to earn the first WTA title of her young career
Oceania Vanuatu 80% of Ni-Vanuatu are farmers, and PM Jotham Napat acknowledged the work of these men and women, the backbone of the nation, during Vanuatu’s 45th Independence Anniversary celebrations
Asia United Arab Emirates UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived in Moscow on an official visit yesterday; A military aircraft saluted and escorted His plane upon entering Russian airspace, an official ceremony with guard of honour welcomed him at Vnukovo Airport
Asia Vietnam State budget revenue soared to over 1.572 trillion VND (60,4 billion USD) in the first seven months of 2025, hitting 79,9% of the annual target, +27,4% year-on-year, the Ministry of Finance reported; of 34 provinces, 24 exceeded their targets
Africa Botswana To revive the Botswana Railways passenger train services an Expression of Interest process has been launched, for which three private sector partners have been shortlisted; a concept paper is being developed to select operational model this financial year