Asia Israel Tel Aviv Stock Exchange’s benchmark TA-125 index gained 1,7% as shares rose to new record highs at the end of trading day yesterday following an Israeli airstrike that targeted top Hamas leaders in Doha, Qatar; index has marked over +32% so far this year
Africa Kenya Interior Cabinet Secretary accused the BBC of basing parts of its Mai Mahiu child sex trafficking documentary on inaccurate accounts; women featured falsified their ages to fit the narrative and access sponsorship program allegedly dangled by the BBC crew
Africa Uganda Road maintenance works have begin countrywide following government program aimed at improving road safety and reducing vehicle breakdowns to ultimately enhance rural connectivity
Oceania Kiribati Dengue cases have increased significantly across the Pacific this year, with Kiribati seeing an outbreak peak
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 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 Seychelles Eleven potential candidates for the upcoming presidential elections set for September 2025 have made the security deposit required prior to nomination day 19 August
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
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
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
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