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
Europe Latvia Scarecrows, the latest documentary by Laila Pakalniņa, has opened the programme of the Latvian National Film Awards, where it is nominated in four categories; it is a chronicle of 'runway rangers' and their encounters with wildlife RIX Riga Airport
America Mexico “Peace, security and normalcy” are being maintained in Mexico, said President Sheinbaum, notwithstanding violent clashes with security forces with dozens of deaths following the killing of Nemesio Oseguera, aka "El Mencho", leader of Jalisco Cartel CJNG
Oceania Nauru Nauru Medical Centre is expanding services, with specialist surgeries now performed on island; Dr Angelique Makutu was appointed director of medical services and upgrades include dental clinics, a 10-bed paediatric unit and improved operating facilities
Europe France Following the fatal beating of a far-right activist, the Interior Ministry would be considering banning a number of extremist groups, while reporting to the courts the possible 'reconstitution' of banned far-left group Jeune Garde
Asia Philippines On February 19 the eruption of Mount Kanlaon on Negros Island disrupted classes in 107 public schools, affecting about 52,975 learners; Ashfall and volcanic activity led to emergency measures, as authorities are assisting impacted communities
Africa Djibouti Signed at a ministerial session in Djibouti, the Djibouti-Ethiopia-South Sudan-Uganda DESSU Corridor Authority has been formally established; the accord starts a regional framework for coordinating trade, transport, and logistics across the four nations
Asia Saudi Arabia A strategic stockpile of over 2,2 million bottles of Zamzam water has been prepared to meet the needs of pilgrims during the holy month of Ramadan; Production operations at the Zamzam Water Project have paced up to 200.000 5-liter bottles per day
Africa Senegal 20 girls from the fishing village of Xataxely have joined a new Surf Academy led by local teachers, with a simple rule: if they want to surf, they must also go to school, thus helping girls return to education
Africa Namibia The salmon industry is seen as an opportunity for economic transformation through value chain development: it could attract foreign investment, strengthen agro-processing and cold-chain infrastructure, increase export, create skilled and semi-skilled jobs
Africa Niger Jihadist groups are increasingly carrying out drone strikes in West Africa, raising alarm that they are building the capacity to wage a "war from the skies", reports leading violence monitoring organisation Acled
Africa Burundi A recent analysis shows that 2025 territorial reform, set to make Burundi more efficient with strengthened municipalities, fewer provinces and an administration closer to the citizens, is gaining momentum after a complicated start
Africa Mali Road insecurity is an increasing problem, with frequent attacks by groups linked to al-Qaeda and Islamic State targeting fuel and gold convoys; In Kayes Region, an assault burned dozens of tankers and killed at least 15 people
America Grenada 2026 Immersive Edutainment Tours has begun: Minister is continuing its tourism awareness campaign aimed at fostering a deeper appreciation of the sector and highlighting career opportunities among students at primary, secondary, and tertiary levels