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
Europe United Kingdom World-record breaking London Marathon saw 56.640 participants crossing the finish line this year, fundraising reached over 88 million euros and received 1.133.813 applications for the 2026 race public ballot, of which 870.000 from the UK
America Jamaica Jamaica lost 2 places in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index, 16 since 2020; Opposition People’s National Party says this reflects the growing mistrust between government officials and the press, and an increasingly autocratic posture by the administration
Africa Kenya Thousands of students across Kenya could face disruption of school service from tomorrow due to delays in the disbursement of capitation for the second term; head teachers said the delayed funding is undermining stability, affecting essential operations
Oceania Kiribati Data collection was completed on local fishing activities on Arorae Island - popular fishing spots, catch volumes, fishing methods and other relevant practices - to help shape policies and guidelines to protect and sustain marine resources across Kiribati
Asia Lebanon Lebanon is now open for entry to the citizens of the United Arab Emirates that will lift a travel ban imposed during a diplomatic row in 2021; both countries made the announcement in a joint statement
America Antigua and Barbuda As Antigua prepares for Labour Day on 5 May, a stance was presented by the Antigua and Barbuda Workers’ Union to AB Hotels and Tourism Association urging members to respect workers’ legal rights to compensatory leave when scheduled off on public holidays
Africa Madagascar France President Macron seeked "forgiveness" for France’s colonisation of Madagascar, starting with the return of looted cultural artefacts, in his visit, to Antananarivo, where he announced plans for economic ties and investment in hydroelectric project
Europe Lithuania Rounding cash payments began: under the new rules, the final amount of a purchase paid in cash will be rounded to the nearest multiple of 5 cents; the new practice is part of a gradual move to phase out the use of 1- and 2-cent euro coins
Europe Latvia The robbery of a watch shop in Old Town Riga doesn't indicate an increase in crime in the country: it makes considerate more investment in security for exclusive goods shops, said Artis Velss, former Chief of the State Police
Asia Maldives Proposed amendments to the Tobacco Control Act – the chief of which is the enforcement of a smoking ban for the post-2007 generation – have been accepted into the Parliament and sent to a select committee for review, approved with a majority vote of 63-2
America Trinidad and Tobago The opposition centrist United National Congress decisively won parliamentary elections held on 28 April and Kamla Persad-Bissessar will be the next prime minister; 73-year-old, she held the post from 2010 to 2015 and remains the only woman leader of TT
Africa Zimbabwe Bulawayo, second largest city in Zimbabwe, has refuted claims on social media alleging a bedbug infestation in four of its suburbs; city authorities declared the messages as false and malicious, urging residents not to panic or spread misinformation
America Venezuela The production of native maize seeds for local cultivation has begun; the initiative aims at reducing imports, saving millions, and promoting ecological farming across 40.000 hectares starting in Bolívar state