Workers in Northern and Western Europe can afford Grand Theft Auto VI after just a few hours of work, while employees in parts of Eastern Europe may need more than a full working week, highlighting the continent's wide wage disparities.

A map published by The World in Maps and Maven Mapping estimates the number of work hours required to purchase Rockstar Games' upcoming title by comparing average hourly earnings with the retail price of the game. The calculation is based on a mathematical formula using national wage data and the game's standard retail price.

The lowest work requirements are found in Northern Europe .

Denmark leads the ranking at 1.61 hours, followed by Iceland (1.70), Norway (1.77) and the Netherlands (1.61). Workers in Germany require 2.32 hours, while France needs 2.67 hours and Sweden 2.78 hours.

The figures reflect the region's high average wages and purchasing power. Eurostat data consistently show that Northern and Western European economies record some of Europe's highest earnings, supported by strong labour markets and high productivity.

The contrast becomes more pronounced further east.

The study estimates that workers in Ukraine need 31.12 hours of work to buy GTA VI, the highest figure on the map. Belarus follows with 19.9 hours, while Russia stands at 16.23 hours. Several Balkan countries also require considerably longer working times than Western Europe, including North Macedonia (25.15 hours), Albania (20.62 hours) and Bosnia and Herzegovina (18.56 hours).

These differences reflect substantial wage gaps across Europe despite increasing economic convergence in recent years.

GTA VI launch adds to industry pricing debate

The affordability comparison comes as Rockstar Games prepares to launch Grand Theft Auto VI on 19 November 2026 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.

Rockstar has confirmed a standard edition price of US$79.99, ending months of speculation that the game could become the first major AAA release to exceed US$100.

Although the game's price is broadly consistent across many developed markets after currency adjustments, the number of hours required to earn that amount varies dramatically because of differences in wages, living standards and purchasing power.

The comparison illustrates that the cost of a global entertainment product can differ significantly in practical terms depending on where consumers live and work. Even with similar retail prices, purchasing power remains one of the clearest indicators of economic inequality across Europe.

Nearly 9,500 people were staying in evacuation centres across Kyushu, while 13,520 households were still without power following Tuesday's 7.1-magnitude quake.

The earthquake flattened homes, damaged bridges and sparked fires , with temperatures forecast to reach 38°C this weekend.

"Thank God for these shelters," one evacuee told AFP, explaining that conditions at home and in cars were unbearable because of the heat and mosquitoes.

"In this heat, if you don't have electricity and air conditioning, it's very tough," supermarket employee Hiroyuki Matsushima said.

"29 people were killed. The attackers came carrying fire and set houses in the village ablaze," survivor Emmanuel Danjuma said.

Community youth leader Ishaya Dawa said about 30 people were killed and seven others injured, urging the government to intervene.

"I need help because of what is happening to my village and this community. I am pleading with the government," he said.

The attack occurred late on Sunday when armed men opened fire, torched homes and fled before security forces arrived the following morning.

On Wednesday, officers from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) dismantled the makeshift facility after a court approved its demolition during an ongoing drug trafficking trial involving three Mexican nationals.

AFP visited the site with NDLEA officers as a local welder and carpenter dismantled the cauldrons and filtration equipment used to manufacture methamphetamine.

The laboratory occupied about an acre of forest land between the villages of Abidagba and Iroto.

The court ordered the site to be dismantled because of the environmental risks posed by the chemicals used in the production process.

Patricia Afolabi, the NDLEA's director of forensics, said the decision was taken to prevent groundwater and air pollution .

When AFP visited, barrels containing chemicals and partially processed methamphetamine remained inside the shed, with strong fumes still filling the air.

The laboratory was raided in May, when authorities arrested 10 suspects, including three Mexican nationals and seven Nigerians. Officers also searched two residential properties in an upscale Lagos neighbourhood, seizing methamphetamine and precursor chemicals worth an estimated $360 million.

The criminal case remains before the courts in Lagos.

The discovery has raised concerns over the presence of Mexican drug cartels in Nigeria.

"About our readiness to combat the cartel... yes, we are ready," NDLEA Deputy Commander of Narcotics James Taalba told AFP.

"We have people who are capable of curtailing such a situation."

West Africa has increasingly become a transit route for cocaine shipments moving from South America to Europe. Authorities also say methamphetamine production has expanded in the region as foreign criminal groups bring their expertise to local operations.

A 2019 report by the Institute for Security Studies found that methamphetamine seizures and laboratory raids in Nigeria have increased since around 2011.

Another Mexican national was arrested in a separate methamphetamine operation in Oyo State in June.

For residents living near the site, the discovery came as a shock.

Florence Banjo, a farmer from the nearby village of Abidagba, said the smell from the laboratory often drifted into the community. She believed it came from a pig farm and never suspected a drug operation hidden in the forest.

She also recalled that construction activity around the site had sparked hopes of development.

"We heard rumours that they were going to build (a housing) estate there, and I was happy that they'd finally pave the road that leads into our village," the 59-year-old told AFP.

"We were disappointed."

He argued that both communities were facing growing attacks.

"It's under attack from the rising tide of anti-Semitism and anti-evangelicalism. It's no accident that the two are coming under joint attack because we are one," he said.

According to the Prime Minister's Office, the evangelical leaders thanked Netanyahu for Israel's actions during the conflict with Iran .

"When you're faced with an attack, what do you do? Attack back," Netanyahu said, adding, "It's now time to fight, fight, fight."

Evangelical Christian groups have long been among Israel's strongest supporters in the United States , and Netanyahu has regularly met with their leaders during visits to Washington.

Demonstrators carrying Venezuelan flags and banners marched through the capital, calling for a clear timetable for a new presidential election and the return of opposition leader María Corina Machado from exile.

The protest was organised by Vente Venezuela, Machado's political party, ahead of a new round of US-backed talks scheduled to begin on August 1 between Venezuela's interim government and a group of former opposition lawmakers.

Vente Venezuela spokesperson Henry Alviarez said the opposition would closely monitor the negotiations.

"People are going to be watching the things he does. Mr Jorge Rodriguez should not think that he is going to do whatever he wants and that he is going to use this space to once again mock the Venezuelan people. No, Mr Jorge," he said.

The talks are expected to bring together Jorge Rodriguez, president of the Chavista-controlled National Assembly, and Dinorah Figuera.

The opposition demonstration coincided with celebrations organised by the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela to mark what would have been the 72nd birthday of former president Hugo Chávez.

Calls for a new presidential election have intensified since the constitutional deadline for Delcy Rodríguez's temporary presidency expired.

Rodríguez assumed office after US forces captured Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, during a military operation in Caracas on January 3.

Maduro is currently being held in New York , where he is awaiting trial on federal drug trafficking and narco-terrorism charges.

"Tell him how a president of a country that is not as rich as the United States can guarantee every Brazilian citizen the same health treatment that the president of the Republic will receive," Lula said.

The United States formally left the WHO on 22nd January 2026, a year after Trump ordered the withdrawal on his first day back in office. The WHO said Washington halted its funding and left about $260 million in unpaid contributions, warning the move leaves "both the United States and the rest of the world in a less safe situation."

Lula also highlighted his government's healthcare policies and the expansion of public health services in Rio de Janeiro during the hospital visit.

One of the best-known examples is China itself . The country's official Chinese name Zhōngguó literally means "Middle Country" or " Central State." The term dates back more than 2,000 years and originally referred to the central kingdoms of ancient China before becoming the modern name of the People's Republic of China.

Japan's Chinese name, Rìběn , translates literally as "Sun Origin" or "Origin of the Sun." The name reflects Japan's position east of China, where the sun appears to rise. It gave rise to the widely known expression "Land of the Rising Sun," a description that has been associated with Japan since at least the Tang Dynasty.

South Korea is known in Chinese as Hánguó, meaning "Han Country," a reference to the ancient Samhan confederacies that existed on the Korean Peninsula rather than China's Han dynasty.

Several names preserve historical kingdoms. Mongolia (Měnggǔ) is a phonetic rendering of "Mongol," while Vietnam (Yuènán) literally means "South of Yue," reflecting the ancient Yue peoples who once inhabited parts of southern China and northern Vietnam. The name was officially adopted by Emperor Gia Long in the early 19th century.

Some country names appear unusual when translated word for word because the characters were selected mainly for their sound. For example, India (Yìndù) is a phonetic adaptation derived from the Sanskrit Sindhu through Persian and other intermediary languages. Likewise, Indonesia (Yìndùníxīyà) and Malaysia (Mǎláixīyà) are transliterations whose individual characters have little connection to the countries themselves.

Other names combine sound with meaning. Russia (Éluósī) is largely phonetic, while Thailand (Tàiguó) includes the character 泰, meaning "peaceful" or "great," combined with 国, meaning "country."

According to linguists, Chinese country names have evolved over centuries as diplomacy, trade and contact with neighbouring civilisations expanded. While many modern names were standardised during the late Qing dynasty and the early 20th century, they continue to reflect layers of history stretching back to ancient Chinese records.

Demonstrators, escorted by police, carried banners reading "Keiko, you are going to fall" and "Peru no longer wants rats, Fujimori never again." Outside the Palace of Justice, protesters also symbolically washed Peruvian flags.

The march brought together relatives of people killed during anti-government protests in 2022 and 2023 under former president Dina Boluarte, activists, members of social organisations and defeated presidential candidate Roberto Sanchez, who continues to reject the election result.

Raul Samillan, representative of the National Organisation of Relatives of the Murdered and Victims of the 2022-2023 Massacres, said the demonstration was aimed at rejecting what he described as a government of continuity.

"We are here in the capital, once again, to reject this government of continuity of Mrs Keiko Fujimori, because they are the ones who ordered the killings and caused all these wounds in our regions," he said.

Protester Giovana Mendoza criticised Fujimori's inaugural address, saying it did not reflect the country's reality.

"It is a setback for our country, to go back to those years we lived through in the 90s. So many killings, so many massacres, so many disappearances, forced sterilisations, among others. That is Mrs Keiko Fujimori," she declared.

Mendoza said the symbolic washing of the national flag represented the suffering endured by victims and their families.

"We have just finished washing our flag, a flag that was dirty from so much gunpowder from the police and military who have soiled the flag. We have also washed the flag because it was stained with so much blood from our relatives who have been killed and also from the survivors," she added.

Fujimori assumed the presidency after defeating Roberto Sanchez in June by fewer than 50,000 votes. During her inaugural speech, she pledged a tough approach to crime and promised to strengthen Peru's regional partnerships and expand cooperation with countries in the Middle East .

China recorded the highest youth unemployment rate in East Asia and the Pacific in 2025 at 15.8%, narrowly ahead of Fiji's 15.2%, while Cambodia reported the region's lowest rate at just 0.7%.

The data, compiled by the World Bank using ILO-modeled estimates  and referenced by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), measure the share of the labour force aged 15 to 24 who are unemployed but actively seeking work.

China topped the regional rankings with 15.8%, followed by Fiji (15.2%), Samoa (13.0%) and Indonesia (13.0%). Malaysia recorded 12.0%, Mongolia 11.7%, Vanuatu 11.3%, Myanmar 9.8%, South Korea 7.6%, the Philippines 7.0%, Vietnam 6.2% and Tonga 6.0%.

Lower youth unemployment rates were recorded in Thailand (4.5%), Papua New Guinea (3.8%), Timor-Leste (3.7%), Solomon Islands (2.8%), Laos (2.4%) and Cambodia (0.7%).

Across the region, the average youth unemployment rate stood at 13.1%, meaning that roughly one in eight young people participating in the labour market was unable to find work.

The ILO defines unemployed young people as those without work, available to start employment and actively searching for a job. The estimates exclude people who are not participating in the labour force, such as students who are not seeking employment.

China's elevated youth unemployment has remained a major economic concern in recent years as slowing economic growth, a weak property sector and reduced hiring in technology, education and real estate have limited opportunities for new graduates. Chinese authorities have expanded vocational training programmes and introduced measures aimed at encouraging private-sector hiring, while continuing to promote entrepreneurship among young people.

In several Pacific island economies, including Fiji and Samoa, youth unemployment remains relatively high despite recovering tourism. Economists have linked the figures to limited formal employment opportunities, dependence on seasonal industries and the migration of skilled workers overseas.

By contrast, countries such as Cambodia, Laos and Thailand report much lower unemployment rates among young people. The World Bank and ILO caution, however, that low unemployment does not necessarily indicate strong labour markets. In many lower-income economies, young people often enter informal or low-paid work out of necessity rather than remaining unemployed while searching for formal jobs.

The Asian Development Bank has warned that improving the quality of education, strengthening technical and vocational training, and expanding access to higher-productivity jobs will be essential as East Asia and the Pacific continues to face demographic change, technological disruption, and evolving labour market demands.

In her first address as head of state, Fujimori said her administration would use every constitutional measure available to restore security in areas affected by criminal organisations.

"During states of emergency, the Armed Forces will temporarily assume leadership of security operations and internal control in close coordination with the National Police, until the authority of the State is fully restored and those territories are returned to the citizens," she said.

She also vowed to reclaim public spaces from criminal groups.

Fujimori pledged to recover "every neighborhood, every highway, every public space for Peruvian families."

The president announced plans to strengthen public security through a nationwide video surveillance network, artificial intelligence platforms designed to predict and map criminal activity, upgraded communications systems and faster emergency response centres.

"The fight will not be only against the common criminal. We will go after the national and international mafias that finance extortion, contract killing, drug trafficking, and illegal mining," she declared.

On foreign policy, Fujimori said Peru would deepen regional cooperation through the Pacific Alliance with Chile, Colombia and Mexico, while working to revive the Andean Community.

"Our interest is to redouble the ties of cooperation and joint regional work with the always welcome participation of Spain in promoting friendship and the common interests of Ibero-America," she told Congress.

She also pledged to strengthen Peru's role within the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum and pursue new investment and cooperation opportunities in the Middle East.

Fujimori said Peru's location positioned the country to serve as a bridge between those markets and Latin America and the Caribbean.

Turning to the economy, she promised to accelerate public and private investment in roads, airports, ports and essential services, including water, electricity, telephone networks and internet access.

She said the investments would help reduce the social deficit "that affects millions of Peruvians."

Describing the country as being at a "complex and painful" moment, Fujimori said she was inheriting a state weakened by corruption and thousands of delayed or poorly executed projects.

"I have not come to offer immediate miracles or empty promises. I have come to offer method, discipline, perseverance, and a clear path," she concluded.

Fujimori also pledged measurable goals and continuous accountability throughout her 1,826-day presidential term.

“We do not believe that this is going to have an impact on the diplomatic side of the two countries,” Ravier told reporters at the Casa Rosada.

He added that Argentina had no intention of allowing the dispute to affect trade between the two “brotherly peoples”, noting that both countries are major trading partners and members of Mercosur.

“It is part of the game,” Ravier said, adding that insults had come from both sides in the past but had not been taken to the diplomatic level by Argentina.

Milei called Lula a “thief” and a “criminal” during a Liberal Party event in Sao Paulo on Saturday, where he backed Flavio Bolsonaro’s presidential candidacy.

Lula later responded that Brazil would not accept anyone “sticking their nose where it does not belong”.

Brazil subsequently recalled its ambassador to Argentina, Julio Bitelli, for consultations.

"Last week, Mayor Mamdani accused our prime minister of being a war criminal and accused our nation of committing genocide. Hours later, a Jewish man walked out of his synagogue... He was stabbed by a radical who yelled 'Allahu Akbar'," Danon said.

Police said two men, one Jewish and one Asian, were attacked in separate incidents and are expected to survive. Authorities have not established any connection between the attacks and Mamdani's remarks.

Addressing the Security Council's quarterly debate on the Middle East , Danon also accused Hamas of obstructing peace and criticised the UN for failing to hold the group accountable.

Palestine's UN envoy, Riyad Mansour, meanwhile, accused Netanyahu's government of exploiting the Gaza conflict for political gain and urged stronger international action to end the bloodshed.

One widely shared post described an Indonesian woman whose application was placed under review, while her husband, using a Western name and phone number, was reportedly admitted immediately. Similar accounts from other users fuelled accusations that the club favoured expatriates and digital nomads over residents.

Indonesia 's Director General of Immigration, Hendarsam Marantoko, condemned the organisers' conduct, saying foreigners must not create exclusive communities that discriminate against Indonesian citizens. Authorities identified the organisers only by their initials, JAS and HQV, and confirmed both had left Indonesia for Singapore before enforcement action was taken. They have since been placed on Indonesia's entry ban list.

Immigration officials are also investigating whether the organisers complied with Indonesian immigration and business regulations. Authorities said foreign nationals are not permitted to organise commercial events without the appropriate permits or visa status.

In a public statement, Entourage Bali apologised to those who felt excluded and denied deliberately discriminating against Indonesians. The organisers said the community had been created primarily to connect digital nomads living in Bali and that an error in its automated approval system caused some, but not all, Indonesian phone numbers beginning with +62 to be rejected. They added that Indonesians accounted for around 25% of tickets sold for the club's running events and announced that all activities had been suspended while they reviewed their procedures.

The incident has reignited debate over the rapid growth of Bali's expatriate and digital nomad communities. Indonesian officials have increasingly tightened enforcement against foreigners accused of violating visa conditions , operating businesses without permits or showing disrespect toward local customs and laws.

The single-person cooling booth is designed to protect outdoor workers, factory employees and the public from heatstroke as Japan continues to experience more frequent and intense heatwaves.

The compact unit, which resembles a vending machine or telephone box, has been installed in the lobby of Maebashi City Hall.

Inside, users sit on a built-in bench while adjustable nozzles direct air cooled to 5°C towards the head, neck and shoulders. The booth itself is maintained at about 15°C and automatically switches off after 20 minutes to prevent users from becoming too cold.

Katsutoshi Yagihara, Deputy Chief of the Policy Coordination Unit in the Future Creation Department of Maebashi City, said more people had started using the booth as temperatures increased.

"While the number of users was low initially, usage has risen to over 30 people per day recently as the weather has warmed up," he explained.

The booth is built from sheet metal, mounted on caster wheels and can be moved between workplaces and public spaces. A refrigeration compressor at its base generates the cold air, while insulated walls help keep the temperature stable.

Resident Yuri said the cooling system provided immediate relief.

"The air blows from around the neck area, and the breeze isn’t uncomfortably cold. Since cooling the neck and limbs is said to lower body temperature, it felt incredibly cool and refreshing," Yuri said.

Another resident described the growing challenge posed by Japan's summers.

"The heat is really getting intense now, isn’t it? It’s not just the humidity; there are days when the temperature climbs close to 40 degrees. Dealing with that kind of heat is a real struggle every year," the resident said.

Japan regularly records summer temperatures above 35°C, with some regions approaching 40°C. The Japan Meteorological Agency refers to days reaching 40°C or higher as "kokushobi", meaning "cruelly hot days."