Europe Iceland With the highest show up ever recorded in Reykjavik, 52,8% of 225.031 of Icelanders voted against the government's proposal to resume talks on joining the EU after 13 years; Around 12.600 votes separated the figure from the 47,2% who voted in favor
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
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
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
America Bolivia Amid a fuel supply crisis in Bolivia, President Luis Arce replaced his Hydrocarbons and Energy Minister, Franklin Molina, with Alejandro Gallardo; the change comes after transporters and merchants protested fuel shortages, demanding Molina's removal
Europe Italy The UN Refugee Agency, which expressed serious concerns about Italy's agreement to process the asylum claims of some migrants in reception centres in Albania, will monitor the first three months of the agreement
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 Benin Benin, which recorded its first episode of extremist violence only in 2019, is among the countries on the continent increasingly affected by terrorism; since 2019, the number of attacks has grown year by year
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 Spain The municipality of Seville plans to cut off the running water supply to some 5000 flats in the city that are illegally rented out as tourist accommodation; residents and the opposition consider the plan insufficient in view of the huge influx of visitors
America Saint Kitts and Nevis The National Emergency Management Agency has urged all residents of St. Kitts and Nevis to remain vigilant as Tropical Storm Ernesto continues to approach the islands
Africa Gabon 30 August, the date of the coup against former president Ali Bongo Ondimba in 2023, will be a public holiday in Gabon, as established by the Gabonese authorities
Africa South Africa A professional women's rugby league with 150 players will be launched next year, according to South Africa Rugby, which has invited provincial rugby federations to submit proposals for three-year franchises in the new Women's Super League Rugby
Asia Afghanistan The Taliban celebrated the 3rd anniversary of their seizure of power with a ceremony in Bagram, where there was the former American military base; the country follows the Persian calendar and celebrates the date 14/08 instead of 15/08, day of the seizure