Africa Ethiopia Drivers in Ethiopia face a fuel crisis due to disruptions from the Iran war driving a booming black market; Diesel prices reach 300–500 birr (5-9 $) per liter with illegal resale networks and long queues straining transport and businesses
Asia Laos To cope with rising cost of living the government is considering a proposal to increase company employees benefits; in July, inflation was reported at 26,10% and since May 2022 it has remained in the double digits and hit a peak of 41,26% in February 2023
Asia Turkmenistan The first lesson of the new school year will be dedicated to the theme 'Magtymguly Fragi's fountain of wisdom' and the country's achievements in 33 years of independence
Africa Madagascar Faced with recurring water supply problems in Antananarivo, Prime Minister Ntsay met with officials from the Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, but no immediate solution was adopted
Asia Indonesia A mega-earthquake could hit Indonesia in the future, warned a researcher at the Geological Disaster Research Centre of the National Agency for Research and Innovation, but reminded that 'claims about the exact date of the earthquake are false'
Europe Slovenia Podčetrtek Castle in the east of the country has reopened to visitors after extensive renovations that restored it to its former glory after being left to decay for decades; the last major renovation dates back to 1874
America Belize The country is moving to end child marriage by proposing amendments to its Marriage Act to raise the legal age for marriage from 16 to 18, also eliminating provisions allowing minors to marry with parental consent
Oceania Tonga Meleane Falemaka, a first-time Paralympian, is the only para-athlete to represent Tonga at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games and will compete in the F38 category in the women's discus throw
Africa Guinea-Bissau The review of Guinea-Bissau's Extended Credit Facility agreement has been completed; subsequently, the IMF unblocked the disbursement of aid amounting to approximately €6,3 million
Europe Finland An estimated 20.000 stray cats are to be found on the streets of the country; uncontrolled breeding of unneutered free-roaming cats has led to large colonies of feral cats throughout the country, even hundreds of them
Africa Morocco More than four thousand people convicted, wanted or facing prosecution for cannabis-related activities have been granted a pardon by King Mohammed VI, enabling a massive accession of cannabis farmers, producers and cultivators to the regulatory process
Asia Iran An increasing number of Iranian women have been sentenced to death in a frame of rising executions in the country, which have grown since unprecedented anti-establishment protests broke out in 2022
Europe Russia Most of Russia is set to experience prolonged periods of 'high' and 'extreme' fire danger this year, according to forecasts by the State Hydrometeorological Centre based on climate and weather data
Europe Malta Nominations for the upcoming Labour Party elections, scheduled for 13-14 September, have been closed on 25 August; each role open was filled with either one or two people contesting while the executive members, open for 12 members, received 38 nominations