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
Africa Guinea-Bissau Starlink satellite internet service was officially launched in Guinea-Bissau, seventh country in West Africa; the service aims to improve internet access where 67,5% of the population has been lacking internet connectivity
Asia Azerbaijan A series of agricultural product festivals in 13 locations in 9 economic zones will run until November to encourage local production and highlight the potential of various regions; the first event scheduled is the Apricot Festival in the Samukh regiona
Africa Algeria Olympic boxing champion Imane Khelif, women’s welterweight gold at Paris Olympics and focus of a gender-eligibility row, must undergo genetic sex screening to participate in futureevents, World Boxing announced as it introduced mandatory sex testing
Africa South Africa Residents of Cape Town have observed over 3.500 species in a fun-educational science challenge that encourages people of all ages to document local wildlife, from kelp forests to private gardens, helping scientists gather key data for conservation
Asia Indonesia The Indonesian Army plans to recruit 24.000 non-combat troops for agriculture, health services and local development; civil groups fear a return to Suharto-era “Dwifungsi" that would jeopardize democracy, professionalism, and combat readiness of the army
Europe Serbia The first local elections held after the start of students' protests drew national attention despite involving less than 1% of Serbia electorate: they are an indicator of shifting public opinion; ruling SNS in Kosjeric SNS won by 51 votes on 10.000
Europe Switzerland The village of Brienz in Graubünden was closed again due to risk of landslides as 1,7 million cubic meters of rock masses in two areas above are threatening to collapse; after evacuation last November, daytime agricultural activities were recently allowed
Africa Namibia 31.1% of young Namibians between the ages of 13 and 15 are consuming tobacco products according to data from the World Health Organisation, and alcohol abuse is also on the rise with an alarming rate
Africa Ethiopia Startup Proclamation was unanimously approved by Council of Ministers: it is a long-due policy to address chronic barriers faced by entrepreneurs and support Ethiopia's for early‑stage, technology‑driven companies with a dedicated framework
Europe Albania The prolonged pre-trial detention with no formal charges of Erion Veliaj, Tirana Mayor and potential successor of PM Rama, is raising questions about Albania’s judicial practices diverging from European legal standards
Europe Belgium A veterinary care group is calling on pet owners to add their animals to the blood donation register to cope with the severe shortage of animal blood donors; according to AniCura transfusions help surgery recovery and increase effectiveness of medication
Asia Bahrain Bahrain Airport Company signed MoUs with Texel Air and Valo Aviation on the very first day day of 55th Paris Airshow, a top global event that aims at fostering international cooperation in the aerospace sector
Europe Germany Balcony solar systems - small photovoltaic units - are reshaping the look of German cities: their number has doubled within a year and are now around one million, according to Market Master Data Register and estimates by German Solar Industry Association