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
Asia Qatar The National Library of Qatar will launch a digital family archive platform in 2025 to document a range of archival materials, including passports, photographs, stamps and correspondence
Asia Palestine The death toll in the Gaza Strip has reached 40.000; authoritative research in recent months has stated that the estimate of health officials is downwards and the number is much higher, possibly reaching 185.000 according to Lancet's study
Asia Philippines The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources stated that a premature lifting of the ban on fishing in Cavite province, affected by the oil spill, could pose a danger to public health
Oceania Tonga Tonga's fire and emergency services will be equipped with two new fire trucks, two tankers and three pick-up trucks thank to a $1,9 million grant from the Japanese government
Europe Poland Foreign students without a high school diploma will not be granted student visas, in a tightening of visa regulations following a 'visa scandal' allegedly involving some Polish universities
Africa Zambia Brian Mundubile, opposition leader in parliament, condemned the imprisonment of, among others, Pambashe MPs Ronald Chitotela and Kawambwa MP Nickson Chilangwa, joining the many voices calling for their release and demanding justice
America Belize Belize and the UN reaffirmed their partnership during the 4th Joint National Steering Committee, highlighting the UN Country Implementation Plan for 2025, which includes 161 projects to advance economic resilience, equality, climate, and justice
Europe Belgium The Belgian Roularta group recorded a profit of €11,4 million in the first six months of the year, a 36% increase over same period of 2023, due to a 19% reduction in paper costs as well as lower print runs and higher sales prices
Africa Senegal Media organisations staged a day-long blackout on Tuesday 13 August to protest a government crackdown that they say directly targets them and aims to restrict press freedom in the country
America Barbados The criminal justice system will implement new rules by the end of September to speed up the processing of criminal cases
Asia Cyprus All diplomatic missions have been informed that the ESTIA plan to repatriate third country nationals has been activated and Cyprus is ready to help if there are requests to leave the Middle East via the island following the escalating situation
Oceania Australia An enquiry will be set to modernise organ donation laws: current Australia's definition of death prevents organ transplants from using the latest technologies, key to the best results
Oceania Palau The increase in drug-related crimes and thefts has led Palau's law enforcement leadership to sound an alarm during Eco Paradise FM's 'MOJ Family Hour' programme