Asia Syria Germany's Ministry of Transport lifted the landing ban and normalized passenger traffic with Syria from 27 July 2026, thus opening to direct flights Düsseldorf-Damascus today 29 July, Berlin Brandenburg-Damascus and Cologne/Bonn-Aleppo on 1 August
America Bahamas Following several recent industrial accidents, Minister of Labour and the Public Service Pia Glover-Rolle expressed deep concern and stated that officials will ensure sites are inspected correctly and plan training or retraining to operate heavy equipment
Africa Ethiopia Ethiopia's runners Bertukan Welde was second at Tokyo's marathon in 2:16:36, Hawi Feysa came third in 2:17:39, both over two minutes after Kenyan winner who also bet the course record set by Ethiopian Sutume Asefa Kebede in 2024
Asia South Korea To boost rural tourism, a half-price travel subsidy program will be launched, offering government-backed discounts on accommodations and local experiences to encourage domestic travel and support struggling regional economies
America Costa Rica The sale of flavored vape liquids has been banned in Costa Rica and only tobacco flavor is allowed; businesses have six months to comply, as authorities have sought to curb rising adolescent use and related illnesses
Asia Afghanistan In an escalation of tensions with Pakistan, Afghanistan announced a major offensive against Pakistani military posts near the border that triggered Pakistan's response with bombing of targets in Kabul and the neighboring provinces of Kandahar and Paktika
Asia Iran In retaliation for an ongoing attack by US and Israel forces hitting Teheran and a number of cities in the country, Iran launched strikes across Middle East, targeting countries hosting US facilities
Europe Latvia A remote mine-laying system has been tested in various conditions to improve anti-tank defence and strengthen Latvia's deterrence capabilities, according to officials; it quickly creates anti-tank minefields designed to hamper the movement of any invader
America Jamaica Uber BV has renewed its historic partnership with the Jamaica Paralympic Association JPA in becoming the official islandwide travel partner for the governing body for para sports
Europe San Marino The 10 Big names competing in the San Marino Song Contest and the songs they will present have been revealed; semi-finals will be broadcast on 4-5 March, with the final on 6 March, live on San Marino RTV (channel 550)
Asia Yemen UN World Food Program will lay off all staff working in areas under Houthi control in northern Yemen by March 31, halting its operations there; the move, announced in February, is a setback for millions of Yemenis who rely on WFP assistance for survival
Asia Indonesia Indonesia is exploring legal avenues to protect its citizens in Malaysia, authorities are reviewing bilateral mechanisms as reports show Indonesians entering on tourist visas but working illegally, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation and detention
Oceania New Zealand KiwiSaver -a voluntary, work-based retirement savings scheme- will see withdrawal rules changed to help farmers, diplomats and soldiers buy their first homes, as Finance Minister observed current rules are unfair to workers in service tenancies
Asia United Arab Emirates A luxury hotel in Dubai was hit as Iran launched strikes across Middle East in retaliation for a "massive" and ongoing attack against it by the US and Israel; video verified by the BBC shows a fire raging and thick black smoke rises into the sky