Oceania New Zealand 'Our Freshwater 2026' report highlights worsening quality of groundwater, rivers and lakes, with increasing levels of nitrates, E.coli above legal limit, and nearly half of New Zealand's river network unsafe for swimming due to faecal contamination
Europe Switzerland Several kilos of explosives intended for “loosening blasting for the purpose of rock removal” were stolen from a Federal Railways construction site in canton Basel; the Attorney General of Switzerland has opened criminal proceedings
Asia Cyprus Cyprus decided to ratify the International Labour Organisation’s convention on eliminating violence and harassment at work; the new framework provides for specific authorities and procedures for the state and employers, as well as penalties for offenders
Africa Algeria The discipline of boxing is becoming increasingly popular, especially among young women, inspired by gold medallist Imane Khelif; cities are wallpapered with pictures of the boxer, shown as a national pride and example
Europe Albania 146,7 million Albanian lek ($1,6 million) will be distributed to residents hit by the natural disasters of 2016 and 2019, said the Minister of Defence, benefiting 1.039 residents in 17 municipalities, affected by earthquakes, floods, landslides and fires
Oceania Papua New Guinea The Church is leading fight against violence related to sorcery accusations and the visit of Pope Francis was the occasion for Caritas PNG to tell about the organization's field work, especially its stand against violence based on accusations of sorcery
Africa Mali New measures have been announced to regulate wedding celebrations in the municipality of Bamako, with the introduction of rules to prevent wedding celebrations from hindering the freedom of movement and peace of mind of citizens
Africa Nigeria The 'National Migration Policy for Health Workers' has been approved with the aim of responding to the growing challenges related to the haemorrhaging of Nigerian health workers, lured abroad to seek employment
Europe Sweden Uppsala's elderly care system is under scrutiny following reports of sexual assaults: an 84-year-old woman was raped by a home care worker despite her warnings and police is investigating into two more rape cases and a sexual harassment involving staff
Africa Zambia ZESCO, Zambia’s power utility, announced that the critically low water levels of Lake Karina, now at just 8% of usable storage, will force a scale back of electricity generation; the shutdown of Kariba North Bank Power Station is scheduled on 14 September
Asia China A new indoor ski resort was opened in Shanghai, recognised by Guinness World Records as 'the largest in the world'; meanwhile, the hottest summer in 60 years was recorded outside
Africa Chad Several people, including six aid workers from the NGO Alima-Alerte Santé, were kidnapped during a raid in Fendé 2; UN Humanitarian Coordination Office condemned the kidnapping in what he defined the 'strongest terms'
Asia Georgia The Head of the Anti-Corruption Bureau called on international observer organisations, including the National Democratic Institute and the International Republican Institute, to disclose information on the grants they are awarding