Asia Myanmar Peace talks with several smaller ethnic armed organizations have been promoted by Myanmar’s military government as evidence of ongoing national reconciliation; Critics argue the discussions exclude many of the country’s most powerful resistance groups
Oceania Fiji With an ageing population, the number of elderly people is expected to increase from 10% to 15% by 2050; fears of a more frequent poverty among the elderly also also growing
Europe Malta The Maltese archdiocese's shareholding in APS bank has been diluted to around 55% in 2022, compared to the 79% it previously owned, and the Catholic Church intends to continue 'withdrawing' from Maltese banking sector by further diluting its shareholding
Asia Cyprus The north’s Gecitkale, or Lefkoniko, air base “may be used” by the Turkish air force if tensions continue to rise in the Middle East and if Turkey gets involved in the tensions in the region, the north’s air traffic controllers’ trade union chairman said
Europe Luxembourg The government announced a €5 million bridging loan for Caritas, which went into crisis following the embezzlement of €61 million, allegedly by an employee
Europe Lithuania Almost 87% of the heat produced in Vilnius will be ‘clean’ thanks to the activation of the most powerful heat pump in the Baltic States, within the territory of Vilnius Power Plant 2, operated by Vilniaus Šilumos Tinklai
Europe Netherlands The Court of Rottdertam sentenced a man for the first time in history for sexually assaulting a woman in the street; the law was amended to make it a punishable offence on 1 July
Asia Saudi Arabia Rayyanah Barnawi, the first Arab female astronaut, was officially recognised for her pioneering space flight by Guinness World Records; she said 'this trip does not just represent me, but rather the entire Arab world and all Saudis'
Africa Kenya A businessman from Kitale, Bonface Koimburi Ndura, 78, has petitioned the Nairobi High Court for legal recognition of polygamy in Christian marriages through an amendment to the Marriage Act
Africa Togo Feasibility studies for several energy-related projects that the country intends to make part of the Millennium Challenge Corporation's Compact programme have been submitted to expand the electricity grid and increase access
Asia Georgia The agreement with Spain on the mutual recognition and exchange of national driving licences has entered into force; holders of a valid driving licence will be able to obtain one without having to pass a theory or practical test
Europe Slovenia A 10 floor, sustainable certified office building was inaugurated in north-eastern Ljubljana; designed by Barcelona-based archistudio BAX, the €30 million project was awarded DGNB gold pre-certification by German Association for Sustainable Construction
Asia Brunei Gross domestic product grew by 6% in the second quarter of 2024, due to a 7,7% increase in the oil and gas sector and a 4,5% increase in the non-O&G sector, the Department of Economic Planning and Statistics said
Africa Cape Verde 926 British tourists that have been affected by gastrointestinal viruses during their Cape Verdean holidays over the past three years are today embarking in a joint class action to seek compensation for their ruined holidays