Asia China "An open-source artificial intelligence zone" aimed at BRICS nations has been proposed by President Xi Jinping's at the BRICS summit in New Delhi, yet another sign of the increasingly fierce race for technological supremacy with the US
America United States A major step toward deep-sea mining has been taken by opening a bid for the lease of over 31 million acres of federal waters for the extraction of critical minerals in American Samoa, sparking debate and worries among Pacific states
Africa Mozambique Africa’s first fully electric mine will be developed at the Moatize coal complex with a €140,6 million investment by Vulcan; The project replaces diesel-powered mining equipment with electric machinery to reduce fuel dependence and lowering emissions
Asia Malaysia MediSAS national health insurance scheme will be launched at the end of July, offering affordable coverage for critical illnesses and major medical treatments; The program is designed to expand financial protection for lower- and middle-income households
Africa Mauritania A land-lease agreement was signed with Saudi Arabia; 53.957 hectares of land in the districts of Boghé and Aleg, in Brakna Wilaya, will benefit from investment by a Saudi company that will deploy modern agricultural technologies to enhance production
America Ecuador A net worth audit of Ecuador’s mayors and prefects has been launched by the Ecuador National Assembly’s Commission on Autonomous Governments following a Pulitzer Center-supported investigation that revealed increased assets of some officials
Africa Niger Activist Mariama Djibrine has no intention of abandoning the helm of the Alliance of Democrats of the Sahel ADS, pushing for a return to constitutional order in the Sahelian countries, after having been stripped of her Nigerien nationality
Asia Philippines A persistent infestation of soft scale insects continues to threaten Philippines’s sugar industry, damaging crops and reducing yields in key producing provinces; Authorities are expanding monitoring and pest-control measures to contain the outbreak
Africa Gabon The municipal council of Port-Gentil, the Mayor and the Prefect of Bendjé Department met to adopt resolutions aimed at strengthening local governance, modernizing the municipal administration, and accelerating the development of the economic capital
Asia Palestine The ancient West Bank town of Sebastia is now on both the World Heritage List and the List of World Heritage in Danger; despite strong objections from Israel, UNESCO approved emergency procedures in its 48th WHC session in Busan, South Korea
America Guatemala A 10% drop in homicides and a 38% decline in extortion cases has been recorded in the first half of 2026 compared with the same period last year, according to official statistics presented by President Arévalo
Africa Botswana Individual top earners will pay higher personal income tax under new reform, passing from 25% to 27,5%; the measure aims at increasing domestic revenue collection and strengthening compliance and will affect those who earn more than P400.001/year, €25.700
Asia Afghanistan Authorities responded to travel warnings issued by a number of countries across saying that Afghanistan priority is to protect foreigners, who wouldn't be exposed to terrorist attacks, arbitrary detention, kidnapping, armed conflicts
America Bahamas The Unregulated Community Action Task Force in North Andros identified over 100 unregulated structures for demolition: a 28-day notice will anticipate the works; the task force was formed by Davis administration in a bid to rid The Bahamas of shantytowns