Asia Malaysia 4.105 former inmates who completed sentences or rehabilitation between 2020 and 9 July rejoined regular workforce, mainly in manufacturing, construction, agriculture, food service, and retail and 2,.600 benefited from Daya Kerjaya job-incentive program
Asia Syria Since yesterday Hayat Tahrir al-Sham is not designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation, following the US decision to revise its status, softening the approach to post-war Syria as part of a broader strategy to re-engage and support its reconstruction
Africa Cameroon A new tax on all used vehicles entering the country came into effect on 1 July that adds to the existing 19,25% VAT; the fee covers the Société Générale de Surveillance verification and the mandatory vehicle identification control
Europe Lithuania Construction at the Rūdninkai military training area, a €125 million contract, is 6 months ahead of schedule; Lithuanian defence officials are speeding up operations on the campus that will house part of a German brigade deployed to the country by 2027
Africa Burundi New provincial governors have been officially appointed, thus completing a major administrative reform announced in 2022 that reduced provinces from 18 to 5 to streamline governance, reduce costs and improve public services
Africa Togo 80 leaders of Togolese companies from various sectors like agro-industry, services, IT took part in an AI training session in Lomé organized by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry to help executives adapt to rapid technological change
Asia Uzbekistan New terms and conditions have been set for licensing private universities, effective on 4 Oct; detailed concept of the new university must be submitted to the Ministry of Higher Education and the institution needs a starting capital of at least $2 million
Europe Portugal The Algarve, Faro district, will begin public discussion to ban caravans and motor homes spending the night in urban areas, as is already the case in natural parks, except for designated places, with locals lamenting traffic and hygiene problems
Europe Luxembourg Gambling law will be tightened amid a digital betting boom, with illegal machines and foreign platforms feeding the phenomenon of problematic gambling; gambling therapy requests tripled in five years
Europe San Marino The manuscript Vita sanctorum Marini et Leonis, the oldest text that narrates life and events of the Holy founder of the Republic, was included in April in the Memory of the World Register and is now exhibited in faithful reproduction at Palazzo Pubblico
Europe United Kingdom Fifty-two thousand petals fell in St Paul's Cathedral during an official service to remember those who died in the July 7 terrorist attacks in London 20 years ago
America Trinidad and Tobago Hosay celebration ended on 6 July with Big Hosay in St James; the Islamic religious commemoration and since decades a local tradition is an occasion to think about fighting socio-economic, cultural and political injustices
Africa South Sudan 7 men from third countries (Myanmar, Cuba, Vietnam, Laos, Mexico) have been deported to South Sudan by the US after a legal battle that temporarily rerouted them to Djibouti; all convicted of crimes, they were at or near the end of their prison sentences
Europe Belarus 111.520 travelers from 38 countries included in the visa-waiver program have been welcomed in Belarus since 1 January 2025; most travelers came from neighboring countries: Lithuania, Latvia, Poland