America Brazil The federal import tax on international purchases of up to US$ 50 made through e-commerce platforms like Temu, Shein, and AliExpress has been erased; experts say it is a strategic move in view of October's upcoming general elections
Asia Indonesia “Beyond Unsettled Past,” now open at Erasmus Huis in Jakarta, revisits Dutch colonial legacy through works by six contemporary artists; art, archives, storytelling explore how colonial time still influences culture and its relevance to today’s Indonesia
Europe Russia Despite its 8,8 magnitude, damage caused by the earthquake that struck the Kamchatka peninsula on 30 July was relatively minor; lack of devastation and fatalities was attributed by Kremlin spokesperson to high-quality construction and local preparedness
America Ecuador Professionals and startups in Ecuador have embraced 3D printing to produce custom goods, medical tools, and industrial parts, promoting accessible manufacturing despite high costs of fiber and limited national adoption data
America Colombia Driven by a growing tech sector and strong digital marketing demand, Colombia has seen companies embrace AI-generated virtual influencers to enhance brand engagement, following global trends like digital model cloning
America Costa Rica A 41% funding cut has severely affected Costa Rica’s ability to support over 222.000 asylum seekers, mainly Nicaraguan, delaying essential services and putting its longstanding refugee protection system at serious risk
Asia Uzbekistan High spending and shady contracts for national and international artists led the Anti-Corruption Agency to launch a probe into Khanabad “Echoes of the World” music festival, at its 3rd edition later this month in Andijan
Asia Laos In the village of Ban Nam Deua, a Swiss-backed initiative is helping residents secure legal land rights; Through training, mapping and community engagement, the project empowers villagers to manage their land sustainably and avoid disputes or exploitation
Africa Benin American filmmaker Spike Lee and wife, producer and author Tonya Lewis Lee, have been appointed ambassadors for African-Americans in the US; their role aims to strengthen ties, promote cultural tourism and support reconnection of diaspora to their roots
Asia Israel Yinon Levi, a sanctioned settler who allegedly shot dead prominent Palestinian activist Awdah Hathaleen near Umm al Kheir, West Bank, was given 4 days of house arrest by Jerusalem Court; he was driving 'recklessly' a heavy construction vehicle through Umm
Africa Cape Verde The Catholic Church in Cape Verde will begin work to translate the Bible into Kriolu by 2033; the project will be preceded by a national debate on the language variant to be adopted and will involve specialists
Asia Bhutan Desi High School has launched a five-year forest restoration project with WWF-Bhutan and the Thimphu Forest Division; Students will restore and manage two hectares of degraded forest near the school, planting native trees and ensuring long-term care
America Honduras Thousands of opposition supporters have marched in Honduras to demand clean and transparent presidential elections in November, voicing concerns over potential fraud and calling for electoral safeguards months ahead of the vote
America Bolivia Pro-Morales leader Ruth Nina has been detained over incitement, amid rising tensions, as supporters protest the exclusion of Evo Morales, the country’s first Indigenous president and a key leftist figure, from the upcoming August 17 elections