Africa eSwatini 11 000 jobs have been added in 2023-25; though it may appear as a positive development for Eswatini’s economy, economists fear that Eswatini’s labour market is expanding in low-productivity jobs rather than sectors building long-term economic security
Asia Iran Following the UN Atomic Observatory declaring that Iran is expanding its nuclear capabilities, France, Germany and Britain condemned the country's 'latest measures'
Asia Kuwait A high school student has been permanently banned from enrolling in any school in the Gulf nation following a bizarre exam cheating scandal, Kuwait's Education Ministry has decided
Asia Philippines The ancient 'Stairway to Heaven', 2.000-year-old UNESCO World Heritage terraces that rise to a height of 1.500 metres, channelling water from the forests at the top of the mountains to the rice terraces below, is threatened by unpredictable climate
America Ecuador Social organizations in Ecuador protested against the elimination of fuel subsidies, with participants marching while criticizing President Daniel Noboa, as the government prepares to increase gasoline prices and phase out the US$644 million subsidy
Asia China Journalist Sophia Huang Xueqin, one of the most prominent activists of the #MeToo movement in the country, was sentenced to five years in prison; she has been jailed since September 2021 on charges of 'inciting subversion', often used against opponents
Asia Lebanon Israeli forces used phosphorous bombs to target several towns in southern Lebanon, causing forest fires to spread and threatening residential areas
Asia Tajikistan Tajikistan sixth-grade student Shokhrukh Firaidonov won the International Neo Science Olympiad Grand Final in the 'coding' category in New York
America Argentina The Senate approved a reform package promoted by President Javier Milei that declares a one-year public emergency in administrative, economic, financial, and energy sectors and includes 30-year incentives for large investments
Asia Uzbekistan The Uzbekistan Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation team achieved the world record for towing a Silk Avia ATR 72-600 airliner, weighing 13,5 tonnes, over a distance of 100 m in 46,7 seconds
Africa Zambia The plan to create a mining investment trading unit was approved, with the government wanting to move from a dividend payment model to a production-based sharing mechanism
Asia Thailand An investigation was ordered by the Defence Minister to investigate salary deductions for conscripts across the country, after another document showed a 1.200 baht fee for WiFi service deducted from some salaries
Asia Yemen The Yemen Human Rights Centre condemned the US-British aggression against civilian and government sites that hit the government complex in Raimah governorate and Radio Raimah
Africa Zimbabwe The Council of Ministers received and examined a comprehensive report on the national response to drugs and substance abuse, presented by Interior Minister Kazembe Kazembe, including police operations against the illegal sale of alcohol