Asia China 10 United States-based companies have been added to China's export control list, government procurement barred from 50 US companies two weeks after the Pentagon blacklisted some of China’s best-known companies for alleged ties to the Chinese military
America Panama Panamanian authorities dismantled a criminal organization involved in trafficking migrants through the Darien jungle, arresting numerous individuals; the group used a "VIP route," a safer and expensive path to transport migrants illegally to the US
Europe Portugal Lisbon properties are registering a 25% increase more than in Madrid, thus becoming the most expensive city to buy a house in the Iberian Peninsula, Idealista source reports
Asia Nepal The Accountability Oversight Committee stated that the bill to amend the Law on the Commission for the Investigation of Disappearances, Truth and Reconciliation contains serious errors
Europe Lithuania As of 1 August, cars passing through the low-emission zone in the historic centre of Kaunas have to pay a €2-tax; the measure has affected restaurants operating in the area, which report a drop in takeaway orders of up to 70%
Africa Mali The Swedish ambassador in Bamako was ordered to leave the country within 72 hours after the Swedish minister for development cooperation and international trade stated that the government had decided to phase out aid to Mali
Africa Morocco Smoking is responsible for 8% of the country's deaths, Health Minister Khaled Ait Taleb reported, pointing out that lung cancer is responsible for 75% of deaths
America Paraguay "Hambre Cero“ - a national school feeding program - has been launched to provide free daily meals to students in public schools; it will initially reach 450.000 children across 2.600 schools in 90 districts
Oceania Nauru The country is considering exchanging Australian dollars for the Chinese yuan in the latest part of the region's banking diplomacy game
Asia Malaysia The number of unemployed people in Malaysia in June fell by 0,1% to 565.300 compared to May, with an unemployment rate of 3,3%, according to the latest official data
Africa Mozambique 940 million dollars of investment in tourism was attracted last year, a 17% increase over 2022, and the sector continues to grow; however, the problem of kidnappings still frightens some potential visitors, the president acknowledged
Africa Mauritius Dmytro Kuleba and Maneesh Gobin, Head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mauritius, signed a visa waiver agreement during the first visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine to Mauritius since the establishment of bilateral relations in 1992
Africa Libya The UK government announced a support package of over $2 million for more than 150.000 Sudanese refugees in Libya to provide 'health, water, sanitation and child protection services' to those seeking refuge in the country
America Guyana Indigenous communities in Guyana have successfully protected the endangered red siskin, a bird sought after by illegal traders; communities have established one of Guyana's first conservation zones and implemented anti-smuggling patrols