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
Asia Malaysia With the Malaysian Media Council Act an independent body has been established to uphold media ethics, manage complaints, protect journalists, guide AI use in media, aiming at press integrity and accountability through self-regulation and legal recognition
America Antigua and Barbuda An official website has been developed to optimize the distribution of textbooks across Antigua and Barbuda, ensuring timely access to essential learning materials, textbook availability, distribution schedules, ultimately supporting educational goals
Africa Cape Verde Cape Verde is among 36 countries that may be added to Trump's expanded travel ban; either it 'addresses security and vetting concerns' or it would face restrictions on their citizens entering the US
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
Asia Bhutan The decision to reinstate Class X cut-off point, citing declining education quality in Bhutan, has sparked criticism from education experts and lawmakers, who argue the move lacks data, research and public consultation, potentially generating inequalities
Africa Benin A mobile classroom, the Blobus, is traveling across Benin upon private initiative to bring screens into school programs and promote digital education and access to technology, still a luxury for many pupils
America Bahamas A proposal to reform charter fees for Bahamian-flagged vessels has been submitted to Cabinet by Minister of Transport and Housing as part of a broader strategy to incentivize the use of the the national yacht registry to boost sector revenue
Africa Chad All visas to US citizens will be suspended out of "reciprocity", after Chad learnt it is one of a dozen countries whose nationals are banned from travelling to the US; President Idriss Déby Itno cited "dignity and pride" in his post
Asia Georgia To commemorate the 10th anniversary of the devastating flood that struck Tbilisi on 13 June 2015, its 21 victims and those still missing, an official ceremony was held in the capital
Asia Cambodia To tackle high accident rates, mainly due to speeding, strict speed limits have been enforced with radar tech and fines; Minister Sar Sokha promoted a data-driven strategy focused on structural reforms, legal enforcement, and public awareness
Oceania Papua New Guinea Unauthorized alluvial miners are invited not to use heavy machinery; the call comes from the Mineral Resources Authority following a number of reports that denounced systematic illegal mining activities with heavy machines
Europe Austria A wave of shock is upsetting Austria after a former student, who reportedly had felt bullied, opened fire at his high school killing 10 people and himself, in one of the worst European school shootings ever; he used legally acquired weapons
Europe France The 3rd UN Ocean Conference closed in Nice on 13 June; jointly organized with Costa Rica it focused on "Accelerating action and mobilizing all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean" and closed with horn ships saluting the wave of commitments