• Reuters

    Russia declares state of emergency in two regions due to forest fires

    Two Russian regions declared a state of emergency on Monday as summer wildfires spread amid intense heat. The governor of the remote Siberian region of Tuva said the authorities had taken the step due to forest fires caused by intense heat, strong winds and dry thunderstorms.

  • Reuters

    Bahamas to regulate banks to offer cbank digital currency

    The Bahamas, the first country in the world to issue a central bank digital currency (CBDC), is now preparing regulations that will require commercial banks to provide access to the e-money in a bid to stimulate adoption, its central bank governor told Reuters. The Bahamas' role as a CBDC pioneer - it issued its "Sand Dollar" digital currency in 2020 - means that what it does in the Caribbean is closely watched by the more than 130 countries, from Europe to China, that are now exploring digital versions of their currencies. John Rolle, the islands' central bank governor, who oversaw the Sand Dollar's launch nearly four years, said with take-up still limited, carrot was turning into stick and commercial banks were now being told of regulations that will effectively force them to distribute it.

  • The Independent

    Violent protest against far-right National Rally erupt in Paris as Macron urges tactical voting

    The National Rally and its allies won a third of the votes, while Macron’s centrists receive just 20 per cent