America Guatemala Indigenous communities in Guatemala are facing a high 18% illiteracy rate and have launched initiatives like floating schools—classrooms on boats reaching remote areas—but struggle as many children are pulled from school to work in agriculture
Europe Italy Approval has been given to a controversial €13,5bn project to build the world's longest suspension bridge spanning 3,3km between the island of Sicily and the tip of Italy's boot, a highly seismic area: designers claim it will be able to endure earthquakes
America Cuba Describing the present moment as one of the most difficult in recent Cuban history, President Díaz-Canel, at the closing session of a weeklong National Assembly, has called on everyone to commit their energy and effort to meet the challenges facing Cuba
Europe Belarus A meeting to discuss the operations of KGB, the State Security Committee of Belarus, was convened by President Aleksandr Lukashenko; key discussions focused on potential improvements to the agency's work
Africa Guinea-Bissau President has appointed by decree a new prime minister months ahead of key November election: Rui Duarte de Barros, who served as prime minister since December 2023, was replaced by Braima Camara, a former coordinator of the Madem G15 opposition party
Asia Azerbaijan Azerbaijan and Armenia commit to permanently end all wars and establish relations, U.S. President Trump said at the summit with Pashinyan and Aliyev, adding that after fighting for 35 years "will remain friends for a long time”
Africa Chad A subsidized sale of foodstuffs in the 9th district of N’Djamena has been launched to support vulnerable communities; the National Food Security Office initiative involves the distribution of over 120 tonnes of staple food products
Africa Botswana To revive the Botswana Railways passenger train services an Expression of Interest process has been launched, for which three private sector partners have been shortlisted; a concept paper is being developed to select operational model this financial year
America Barbados A new, fully cashless fare system with real-time bus tracking will be launched in September, in time for the new school year; Barbados will thus become the first Caribbean nation with smart card payment across its public transport network
Oceania Samoa The Samoa Law Society is calling for electoral rights to be upheld to ensure a free and fair election; in view of upcoming Samoa’s general election on 29 August it reminded that “Universal voting rights are the cornerstone of a democratic country"
Oceania Vanuatu 80% of Ni-Vanuatu are farmers, and PM Jotham Napat acknowledged the work of these men and women, the backbone of the nation, during Vanuatu’s 45th Independence Anniversary celebrations
Europe Latvia 13.481 people graduated from Latvia's higher education institutions, 4% less than 2023, according to latest Education and Science Ministry report; over 6.000 students was at bachelor-level, 3.000 completed college, almost 4.000 obtained master degrees
Europe Austria Stephanie Venier, 31, announced the end of her skiing career; world champion with gold in the Super-G and bronze in the team combination, Venier caused a sensation last winter in Saalbach-Hinterglemm but has recently suffered a lack of motivation
America Canada Teen Victoria Mboko concluded her fairytale run in the National Bank Open in an unforgettable night for Canadian tennis by beating four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka 2-6, 6-4, 6-1 in the singles final to earn the first WTA title of her young career