Africa Morocco Rivalry between Morocco and Algeria has a new geopolitical battlefield in the Sahel, where they are deploying radically different strategies; the area is under geopolitical reconstruction after the vacuum left by French withdrawal and the rise of Russia
Asia Myanmar Severe water shortages due to prolonged drought, record heat and water-borne diseases have left at least 83 people dead and hundreds sick in some 50 villages in western Myanmar
Asia Bhutan World Aquatics has inaugurated the first high-altitude pool in Bhutan as part of the Pools for All initiative, launched in 2019; the newly opened pool stands at an altitude of 2400 metres, making it the highest pool in the world
Europe Czech Republic According to a recent NATO study, the Czech Republic is among the countries most targeted by Russian hybrid activities, along with Estonia, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Great Britain
Europe Russia Russia's Supreme Court rejected the appeal of opponent Kara-Murza against the 25-year prison sentence imposed on the journalist, activist and director for speaking out against the invasion of Ukraine
America United States The White House said it was imposing stringent curbs on Chinese goods worth $18bn, including a 100% tariff on Chinese-made electric vehicles as part of measures to protect US manufacturers from cheap imports; the move is likely to inflame trade tensions
Europe Belarus Seventy-five Syrian children were welcomed in Belarus for a recovery holiday through the Belarusian-Syrian 'Heart to Heart' summer camp at the Zubryonok National Education and Health Centre
America Dominican Republic A cooperation pact to develop new tools for early disaster preparedness and mitigation has been signed by the Minister of the Presidency and the World Food Programme representative in the country
Europe Croatia Zagreb's famous funicular, which connects the main street Ilica with the Strossmayer promenade from Tomić Street, holds the record of being the safest means of transport in the city
Europe Portugal Aiming at offering a competitive rail transport alternative, the Council of Ministers approved works for the high-speed rail connection LAV Lisbon-Madrid, setting a goal of a 3 hours journey by 2034, and Porto-Lisbon in 1 hour 15 minutes
Europe Bulgaria Google has allocated $1m in scholarships for young scientists working at the Bulgarian Institute for Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Technology, one of the world's largest contributions from the technology giant in 2024
Oceania New Zealand University of Auckland study supports the use of AI for surgery via 'computer vision' to identify abnormalities and relieve overburdened hospitals by improving patient monitoring as they recover at home after surgery
Europe Monaco The Monegasque government has drawn up a 'Guide to Responsible and Safe Bathing in the Principality' to promote personal safety and avoid accidents on the beaches
America Chile Chilean bishops, amid a security crisis, met with President Boric at La Moneda Palace to discuss national security concerns following the recent killing of three police officers, alongside addressing migrant issues and the Church's role in fostering peace